Solemn Oath Foux du Fafa

Solemn Oath (Naperville, IL) Foux du Fafa Imperial Farmhouse IPA (10%)
Since today is Belgian independence day, I broke out my specialty Duvel glass, which features the artist Parra.

This beer has a very floral and citrusy nose, with a slight scent of sweet fruit esters from the yeast. It has a hazy wheat color with a decent head and good lacing. The body is medium to heavy, and its flavors are initially hoppy/bitter with lots of citrus notes, then fruity and malty. Foux du Fafa has a very dry and lingering bitter finish. I did enjoy drinking this beer, but the bitter, sweet, then bitter flavors grew slightly off-putting as I worked through my bomber. While it was a good beer, it was not the best thing Solemn Oath has done.

Solemn Oath Wreckage Master

Solemn Oath (Naperville, IL) Wreckage Master American Double IPA
In case you haven't already deduced from my previous reviews, I like Solemn Oath Brewery a whole lot. I'm always happy to try new beers at work--such a crushing burden, I assure you--but I'm super happy when a new beer arrives from Naperville, or when one that I've already had rotates back into the bar. Though I certainly like the whole gamut of Solemn Oath's beer production, I'm particularly fond of their IPA's. Wreckage Master is no exception. The product description is as follows: "Juicy American Hop Character with Notes of Ripe Citrus and Tropical Fruit Accompany an Assertive Bitterness and Light Caramel Malt Backbone." Basically a bigger version of Snaggletooth Bandana, Wreckage Master possesses a orange-straw color and gives off a malty aroma. The citrusy hops are highly pronounced initially and linger well into the aftertaste; no surprise given that this DIPA clocks in at 115 IBU's. 8.5% ABV.

Solemn Oath Scare Ball Imperial Pilsner

Solemn Oath (Naperville, IL) Scare Ball Imperial Pilsner
Product Description: "Bready, Honeyed Pils Malt Sweetness Dominated by a Bold Fruity, Floral Hop Profile and an Intense, Lingering Bitterness."The description on the website differs from the one on the bottle, and it seems more accurate, in my opinion. This is a light-bodied, golden lager with a clean aroma and finish, but with an aggressive hop finish that lingers on the back of the tongue. The bottle says this is 9.4%, while the website states 7.8%. Either way, it's definitely an imperial pilsner. And I would easily recommend it to anyone who prefers a dry, hoppy pilsner.

Solemn Oath Kidnapped by Vikings

4-16-2014

Solemn Oath (Naperville, IL) Kidnapped by Vikings

IPA, 6% ABV. Product description: “Caramel malt sweetness is dominated by a piney, resinous hop character with notes of grapefruit in this American style India Pale Ale.” Like all Solemn Oath IPA’s, this is great. A standout beer with a clean aroma, dark amber color that suggests its resinous flavor. I’m a huge fan of Solemn Oath, and they deliver another amazing IPA with Kidnapped by Vikings.

Solemn Oath Whisper Kisses Saison

4-15-2014

Solemn Oath (Naperville, IL) Whisper Kisses

Saison, 8.3% ABV. Product description: “Light bodied farmhouse ale with a bready malt sweetness and floral, fruity hop character. French saison yeast lends a tart, earthy balance with a dry finish.” Bready, sweet aroma with a hazy wheat/straw color. Bready, hops really stand out in the finish. Sweet aftertaste, but very hoppy as well--a strange effect. The high ABV is a bit of an issue for me. Saisons are traditionally a wide open style, but historically intended to quench the thirst of seasonal farm laborers. Somehow, the ABV on these beers has crept up in the ensuing time. It’s supposed to be a beverage, not a big beer--although some saisons do reach the 8% mark. However, I can understand, from the perspective of the brewers and many consumers, why they would want to make sure that a bomber has enough kick to it.