2013 Gravitation

2013 Smuttynose Big Beer Series Release #1: Gravitation

 

Belgium is known around the world for its six unique abbey breweries.  Inside the monastery walls, Trappist monks oversee production of rich, fully flavored beers that range from light in body and alcohol to strong, rich and dark.  These sacred beers are known by the names enkel or single, dubbel and tripel.  Singles are the lightest in both color and alcohol and can be seen as analogues to triples, which are also light bodied and colored but can be quite sweet and as strong as 10%.  Dubbels can be simply described as Belgian brown ales; they exhibit a rich, malty flavors, spicy yeast notes and typically range from 7%-9%.

With alcohol contents as high as 12%, “Quads” are the richest of the rich and the boldest of the bold and Smuttynose Gravitation is no exception.  Deep chestnut colored, with rich malt flavors reminiscent of brown sugar, Gravitation isn’t just sweet and boozy.  The use of imported Belgian malts and a special ester-producing Trappist yeast contribute the unified fruitiness that defines this beer.  The prominent malt character and strong alcohol make Belgian-style quads an excellent candidate for aging, as long as you store your bottles upright in a cool, dark space.

Food Pairings

Gravitation is a hearty and hefty beer, so it’ll pair well with foods that are intensely flavored and heavy.  Earthy foods like wild game and blue cheeses stand up to Gravitation’s intensity by playing against the sweet malty character.  If earthy isn’t your thing, seek out dishes that are fatty, tart or a combination of the two; foods like pork belly, mushroom ragout or rabbit with kriek, a classic dish of Belgian beer gastronomy. 

Stat Box

11.3% ABV 

25 IBU

Starting Extract: 21.3° Plato   Finishing Extract: 1.9° Plato  

Malts: North American 2-Row, Cara-Red, Aromatic, Special B, C-60, Wheat

Hops: Willamette

Special Guests: Demerara Sugar, Dark 2 Belgian Candi Syrup

Yeast: White Labs WLP-500 Trappist Ale

Production Size: 200 barrels (6200 gallons)

2013 Gravitation will begin shipping January 15.