NEW GLARUS BELGIAN RED

I am verging on speechless. I cracked the bottle of Belgian Red about 2 hours ago, and poured out samples for Aaron, Kush, Bridey, Gabe, and Chris. Unanimously deemed as being one of the best beers to ever cross any of our pallets. I find so much happiness in sharing such art with friends. I wonder if I could start pairing beers with people. Not just what they like, but with beers that would match the ensuing conversations etc. Ridiculously nerdy, but that has never been something I've been ashamed of.

The Red poured, well, a rosy, murky red. Not exactly pretty in the classic sense, but there was just something about the color that was arresting. The murkiness lent to the mystique, that some ancient secret dwelt in its crimson depths. Haha. The head took on the color of white zin, and seemed quite active. Despite taking two hours to finish the bottle, carbonation remained strong throughout. This beer had some serious legs, and the glass was a sticky mess of foam by the time I finished my glass. I think serving this in a Bordeaux glass was the right choice. I felt like it focused the nose quite nicely.

Speaking of the nose, cherry cherry cherry cherry cherry! Imagine if someone took two large handfuls of cherries, macerated them, put them in front of a fan that pointed right at you. Intense. I was watering at the mouth after I finished pouring my glass and the samples. I felt as though I were about to dive into an ocean of cherry juice.

The taste is big, bold, deep, tart, sweet, dark, rich, and, to quote the bottle, "a tapestry of flavors". I really don't know what to say other than that trying this beer will change your life, even if only in the slightest way. It is still beer though, in spite of the enormous cherry presence. The malts are well balanced, and the wheat gives it a smoothness that the heavy carbonation might have otherwise diminished. The hops are only there to keep this from being too sweet. All things are in just the right proportions. Simply amazing.

Overall: 10/10. First beer I've ever had that picks up that score. Just too good to miss, and I plan on doing everything I can to acquire this again. Cheers!