I tried out a new beer from Harpoon tonight -- their attempt at a Belgian quadrupel that they've dubbed Leviathan. I didn't bother with pics because, quite frankly, I didn't have high hopes. Most American imitations of quads are overly sweet and lose the complexity of the Belgian originals. This beer ran me $3.35 for a single 12 oz bottle, which is somewhat steep in the world of beer but a pittance for the style. It weighs in at a mighty 11.75% ABV.
I was somewhat disappointed by the pour. They didn't include the yeast in the bottle, and that's often an indication of subpar beer. However, the smell is good: earthy and fruity like you'd expect from the style. The flavor is shockingly rich and complex. I get wood, apple, nutmeg, cherry, clove, caramel and a surprising floral hop character in the finish that makes this beer feel more distinctly American compared to the Belgian quads I've had. That finish, btw, is very long, and leaves you fishing for new flavors. I've added a few to the earlier list as I've continued typing this, sipping, and savoring. This is a sweet beer, yes, but it's supposed to be. But it manages to be sweet without being a cloying, syrupy mess. The dry, bitter finish from the hops help here. This is not a beer I can drink quickly. It'll easily take you over an hour. I don't think it'd be the sort of thing I'd drink frequently, either. Still, it's the best American quad I've had, and it's very close to the top tier while remaining distinct due to the hopping, an unexpected but welcome addition. I'll give it a rare
rating. It's not the very best beer I've had, but it's delicious, and there's nothing it leaves me wanting. Additionally, a beer this good in this style is seldom under $4 for a 12 oz bottle, so the value here is notable. I clearly underestimated this.