Trip to the Fridge: Fort George North 3

We picked up this beer on our trip to Astoria in November and it has been staring at me every time I open the fridge ever since.   I’m not sure why it’s taken us so long to crack it open, but as the old saying goes better late than never. (at least for big beers)

North 3, or simply N3, is a  Winter Tripple from Fort George Brewery.  The label states that it is “Brewed with maple syrup and sugar plums.  No fairies were harmed in its production.”  They also advise to “Store upright, cool and dark.  Serve in a fancy glass, drink it out of the bottle, watch for sediment and recycle.”

The commercial description:(courtesy of ratebeer) “Brewed strong, bold and sweet with honey malt and maple syrup, then fermented with our jolliest Belgian yeast, this beer then rests in the bright tank with 60 pounds of finely chopped sugar plums until the elves can wait no longer. The resulting elixir arrives onyx in hue with hints of oak and spice and a rich complex cornucopia of cheer for your palate. This is a fruitcake that won’t get tossed!”

My take on it was that it was that it was quite enjoyable.  It poured a nice  dark amber brown, with a thin white head, and a little cloudy sediment.  The aroma was of a dark sour fruit.  It was  medium bodied and not overly carbonated.  It had a fairly complex flavor, tasting of dark fruit and dark malt. It finished with a nice malt and a hint of sour plum.  Not overly sour, or overly bitter, very well balanced. There was no real sign of the bread like Belgian yeast flavor.  Those looking for a big Trippel may be disappointed, but I was not.

Lush C didn’t really know what to think,as  it was very different.  It wasn’t as dark and chocolaty as she might like.  Her feeling was that it was a big beer, but the slight sourness at the end kept it from being to big.

Consensus: It’s worth a try if you are ever at Fort George when they are serving or selling it.

FTC Information: GoodBeerTrips purchased this beer, and is not affiliated with Fort George Brewery.  Although, I am wearing their t-shirt, which I also paid for, as I write this post.