Because Who Needs Sobriety When You Can Have a Beer With More Alcohol Than Your Wine?
In the hallowed halls of the craft beer academy, where the pursuit of brewing perfection often teeters on the edge of madness, Une Année Brewery has donned its cap and gown to present us with "Quad," a Belgian Quadrupel that seems to have graduated summa cum hop-laude. This isn't just a beer; it's an academic achievement, a liquid dissertation on the art of fermentation. And like most higher education experiences, it promises to be intoxicating, expensive, and potentially regrettable in the morning.
First off, let's clarify what a "Quadrupel" is for those who may not have majored in beerology. In the simplest terms, it's what happens when a brewery asks, "How many malts can we cram into one bottle before it becomes a loaf of bread?" The answer, as Une Année Brewery bravely illustrates, is "Just short of a bakery's worth." This Quad is a malty behemoth, a testament to the brewer's refusal to do anything by halves—except, perhaps, their understanding of moderation.
Diving into the "Quad," one is immediately struck by its complex flavor profile, which reads more like a syllabus for an advanced course in taste bud stimulation. Notes of dark fruit, caramel, and a hint of existential dread mingle in a brew so rich, you'll wonder if you should be drinking it or applying for a student loan to afford it. It's the kind of beer that wears a monocle, smokes a pipe, and lectures you on the virtues of Belgian yeast strains.
Let's not skirt around the dissertation defense here: the alcohol content in "Quad" is formidable. This is not a beer for the faint of heart or the light of liver. It's a brew that demands respect, lest you find yourself debating the philosophical implications of the bathroom floor's tile pattern at 2 a.m. Une Année has crafted a Quad that could easily double as a course in decision-making, with a focus on the consequences of underestimating ABV percentages.
"Quad" by Une Année Brewery is not so much consumed as it is studied. Each sip reveals new layers, new insights, perhaps even a new understanding of one's own limits. It's a beer that pairs well with leather-bound books, roaring fires, and an overbearing sense of self-satisfaction. In a craft beer landscape littered with IPAs and stouts vying for attention, the Quad stands out as a scholarly pursuit, a beer that doesn't just satiate but educates.
In conclusion, Une Année's "Quad" is a masterclass in brewing audacity, a beer that boldly goes where few have dared to ferment. It's for the connoisseur, the aficionado, the beer drinker who scoffs at the notion of a "session IPA" and demands something more from their glass. So here's to the Quad, a Belgian Quadrupel that doesn't just raise the bar—it meticulously crafts a new one from rare, imported wood and then lectures you on its grain structure.
So, the next time you find yourself pondering the mysteries of the universe, or simply what to drink next, remember the Quad. It's not just a beer; it's a continuing education course in a bottle. Cheers, or as the Belgians might say, "Op uw gezondheid," which you'll likely need after tackling this behemoth.
Cheers you, silly Bastards!
