Allagash to Release Gargamel This Thursday

Sorry for the lack of new posts this week. Things have just been extra uber crazy trying to get my life in order following its recent upheaval. But there is one thing I wanted to be sure and bring to really everyone’s attention because the release of this beer is just that important, but this particular event is one that especially the locals should know about.

This Thursday morning Maine’s most famous (in the Beer Geek community, anyway) brewery, Allagash Brewing, will release their brand new brew, Gargamel, for the very first time. According to the brewery, a beer which has been 16 months in the making (I first wrote about it in February of 2008), Gargamel, is a Belgian style sour ale and the first offering in their limited release 375ml series. The Allagash brewers used a blend of American 2-row barley malt, raw & malted wheat and selected caramel malt to brew this 9.2% ABV beer. After primary fermentation, the beer was inoculated with the Allagash house Brettanomyces strain, then aged in French Oak wine barrels with a generous amount of local raspberries for over 18 months. Gargamel’s aroma is described as being,

“Full of un-ripened raspberry, vanilla and citrus notes. This medium bodied beer has hints of biscuit, and graham cracker with a clean, fruity and refreshingly tart finish.”

The Allagash retail store (located at 50 Industrial Way in Portland, ME) will open at 10:00am on Thursday, May 7th for the release of Gargamel. The 375ml bottles will cost $10 a bottle and there is a 2 bottle per person limit. Get there early, there’s sure to be a line (and while you’re in line, if you see me there, be sure and wave)!