Drinktime: Allagash White Ale

A symptom of the craft beer and microbrewery movement is that beer drinkers around the country have a lot more options now when it comes to what beer they drink. There are breweries that specialize in Belgian style ales, IPAs, a variety of stouts, porters, pale ales, and seasonal beers. One of these styles of beer that many breweries are brewing is the Belgian style white ale. Belgian white ale is a beer that is brewed with wheat in addition to the traditional barley. In some instances white ales may be brewed with one hundred percent wheat and zero barley. Another way in which the white ale is different from other styles of beer is that it is brewed with spices such as coriander and orange peel. One of my favorite interpretations of a Belgian style white ale is the Allagash White Ale. Hailing from Portland, Maine, Allagash Brewing Company has been brewing Belgian style ales since the mid 1990's. Their white ale has become a signature beer for the company and can be found all over New England and the Northeast. Like most white ales, the Allagash White Ale has a cloudy and unfiltered appearance in the glass. Along the cloudy appearance, most white ales are crisp, spicy and fruity. Allagash White has all of the characteristics of a quality Belgian style white ale. At five percent ABV, the Allagash White Ale is an easy drinking ale that does not really fill you up like other beers. If you are a fan of Belgian style white ale, give Allagash White Ale a try if you can find it. I am sure you will want to have another if you try it.