If life is a series of happy accidents, then Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale is the unofficial beer of life. The latest Smokestack Series from Boulevard Brewery is named after the "persnickety fermenter" known as Tank 7, which ultimately gave Boulevard this farmhouse ale.
Tank 7 is the replacement for the Saison in the Smokestack Series lineup and has been on tap around the city for the past few months. Fat City had a chance to sample Tank 7 earlier this year when Owen Morris attended a tasting at Flying Saucer in April.
Bottles were in stock at most area liquor stores by last week -- I picked mine up for $8.49 at Cellar Rat. Here's how the label describes the Belgian-style Farmhouse Ale:
Beginning with a flavorful surge of fruity aromatics and hoppy, grapefruit notes, this complex, straw-colored ale finishes long, dry and spicy.
There are clear citrus notes. I tasted some of the lemon I associate with Boulevard's wheat beer, although that could also have been the influence of the bright golden color (even lighter than what appears in the photo at right). It also has a nice earthy taste in a medium beer that is very drinkable -- half the bottle was gone in a hurry.
Fans of Boulevard's Pale Ale will appreciate the hoppiness, but this ale packs a punch at 8 percent alcohol by volume -- hence, the danger in its drinkability. It has a spicy and slightly dry finish that makes me want to pair it with salmon cooked on cedar -- anything that could accentuate the beer's peppery taste.
I can see why those who attended the tasting in April were so excited for Tank 7 to be released in bottles. It's a palate pleaser.
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