Hope you’re ready to be batted around like a lion’s plaything. Like King Nobel the lion in the Reynard the Fox stories, this golden strong ale isn’t afraid to throw its might around. But while the alcohol plays an integral role in beefing up the flavour and body, it manages to remain comfortable and subtle the entire time. As Madocke puts it: "You won't notice the ABV until you stand up.”
Not that you need to stand up any time soon; this beer’s one for sitting and sipping for a while. The simple malt bill – nothing but pilsner malt – brings a clean sweetness that allows the yeast show off with its fruity esters and spicy phenols. Squishy banana lollies fill the nose, with just a butterfly flutter of spice showing itself. But just as the flap of a butterfly’s wings can grow into something bigger, that earthy spice grows in the mouth, balancing the confectionery sweetness in the aroma into something more complex. The residual sugars and the booze provide a nice sweetness and full mouthfeel, and yet the tickly carbonation has Nobel leaving a dry and crisp impression in the finish.
A beer that seems both sweet and dry? A paradox… but not an unwelcome one. We all need a bit of paradox in our lives ever now and then to keep us on our toes.
Mick Wüst
Published July 27, 2024 2024-07-27 00:00:00
