While doing a bit of Craft Beer/Wine/Whisky gift shopping over the 2012 holidays, I noticed that Green Flash has finally released 12 ounce versions of their Le Freak ale. Since I have yet to have a lackluster beer from this brewery, I just had to pick up a bottle!
Here is what Green Flash has to say about their Le Freak:
An ‘out of the box’ modern ale crafted by converging two beer styles, Belgian Trippel and American Imperial IPA. Dry-Hopped and Bottle-Conditioned – it’s a zesty brew with enticing American hop and fruity Belgian yeast aromatics.
Let’s get on with the review…
- Appearance: Hazy, red-orange color. Thick, fast rising head that tops out at an inch or two. Dissipates slowly and leaves a thin layer of foam on top. Some mild lacing.
- Aroma: Honey. Shortbread cookie. Citrusy hops, i.e. clementine oranges. Some yeasty funk.
- Taste: Medium carbonation with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Starts off with some light honey sweetness. Bitter hops kick in at mid palate and lead you to a dry and moderately bitter finish.
- ABV: 9.2%
Once again, Green Flash doesn’t let me down! Smooth, well balanced, and oh so drinkable, the Le Freak is a delicious mash up of a West Coast IPA and a Belgian Tripel (just as the brewer intended). There’s only one downside to this beer. The Green Flash Le Freak is so deceptively smooth and easy drinking that you could easily drink a couple of them and not realize how potent it truly is. Until it’s too late. Proceed with caution.
Categories: Brew Review, Green Flash
AMKrouse
The Alemonger
G-LO
limpd
The Wookie
The ROK
Sarah -BeautifulTangibleThings
The Astounding Prism
It's just the booze dancing... 
Once more I find myself minding my own business (more accurately, minding the business practices within my sphere of authority) and along comes a Green Flash review. So as a truffle pig to the muddied soil of a French forest I am compelled to engage…..
Fortunately, the beer itself stands up to that impeccable photo – #brewlumination at it’s finest. Belgian style American IPAs can be tricky. Often the desire of American brewers to showcase the hop profile overwhelms, or at least marginalizes the complexities offered by the Belgian yeast. The result can be a bit of a confused array of fruity, bitter flavors not unlike a smoothie made out of a day old Horn of Plenty left out on the porch a day or two too long.
No worries here. Green Flash has a very hard time brewing anything poorly. They left mediocrity at door before they turned out their first brew. Le Freak is beautifully crafted, understated and refreshing. At 9.2% it’s also a terror. A Willem Dafoe brew if ever there was one.
With a brew, review, and photo as good as these it’s hard to imagine why this sentence isn’t spelled sideways. Well done!
@TheAlemonger
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Many thanks! We seem to be on the same page with regards to beer most of the time. This stuff was fantastic.
Of course a comment like this begs the question…
Why exactly aren’t you working on your blog??? This comment was a post in itself. Get busy!
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I was on the fence about buying this beer last time I saw it in the store. I love everything I’ve had from Green Flash, but it’s been hit or miss for me with Belgian IPAs since I’m not big on the taste of most Belgian yeasts. I’ll definitely pick it up now. Thanks for the review G!
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I too am a Green Flash fan regardless of what Limpd has to say about them (Hater!). I really enjoyed this beer and hope to try it on draught one of these days. Look forward to hearing what you think of it. Good luck and happy beer hunting!
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You and your fancy photo (really, well done)! And, love of all things Green Flash! I would probably have given it a try if not for the Willem Dafoe comment from the Alemonger. Now, I am actually a little frightened as a William Devane brew is much more my speed.
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Thanks! Disregard Willem Dafoe. I think you would enjoy this beer. Hope you eventually get to try it.
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I’m just seconding (or thirding) everyone here, but I also think it’s easy to get lost on anything Green Flash. I don’t think I’ve ever gone wrong with them.
Last night I had Flying Dog’s Wildeman Farmhouse IPA, which has been the only other Belgian IPA I’ve had aside from Le Freak, as far as I can tell. I really enjoy the citrus-yeast combo that you just don’t find in the normal West Coast hoppy brews Green Flash offers.
Cheers!
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I’ve been curious to try that Flying Dog beer. They’ve been hit or miss for me (Raging Bitch is my favorite of their beers), but the Farmhouse IPA thing intrigues me. Will have to hunt it down. Funky Hops? Yes please!
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