Great Divide Hades
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(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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The brother of Zeus and ruler of the underworld, Hades is considered to be one bad hombre in Greek mythology. And yet, as a beer by Great Divide, Hades proves to be far more pleasant than its namesake.
By no means, should you construe “pleasant” to be a euphemism for “push-over” — Hades is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale; and, at about 7.8% ABV, it certainly lives up to the adjective “strong”. Heck, the image on the label shows Hades restraining a leashed Kerberos, the three-headed beast guarding the entrace to the underworld. You’ve gotta be one tough character to take that monster for a walk!
Great Divide’s website describes the beer as:
.. . . a Belgian-Style golden ale brewed with a rare Belgian yeast strain that gives a complex spicy flavor and aroma. Noticeable hops and medium malt character make it a very well balanced, crisp ale.
I poured the beer into a Duvel tulip glass, which is highly appropriate not only because the tulip displays the head and aroma wonderfully, but also because Great Divide brews this beer with yeast from Belgium’s Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat — home of Duvel, my favorite Belgian Strong Pale Ale.
The beer gurgled, pale and golden, into my tulip glass and frothed up a sticky white head that left just a touch of lacing after it subsided. The aroma was peppery, with a hint of clove and citrus, but there were plenty of pleasant, grassy hops.
Yeast makes a clear taste impression, coming across as fruity bubblegum with a touch of pepper. The malt is grainy and biscuity, and there’s a hint of sweetness — but those grassy hops act as a rudder, steering the flavor away from the fruity sweet shoals and into deeper, more fulfilling waters.
Hades is fruitier than Duvel, but I think that will serve it well when competing for the American palate. I enjoyed the beer quite a bit, and I’m certainly going to be on the lookout for more Belgian Strong Pale Ales.
What can I say — Hades isn’t such a bad place after all!
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