The Uncommon Brewers founded in 2002 stay true to their name by using extremely unusual and organic ingredients. Located in Santa Cruz, CA the Uncommon Brewer’s have a small but unique repertoire of flagship brews. Their mantra is “uncommon beer for uncommon people” and after looking at the ingredients I couldn’t agree more. The Siamese Twin ale is an 8.5% ABV Belgian Dubbel brewed with Kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, coriander. Unlike most Belgian Dubbels Uncommon Brewer’s further distances themselves from the norm by using 500mL cans rather than bottles. On a past trip to Vancouver I managed to find Uncommon Brewers’ Baltic Porter which is brewed with licorice root and star anise. I was rather impressed by the unique pseudo-Baltic Porter and so the Siamese Twin Ale is similarly interesting to me.
Cracking the can and pouring into a trappist glass, mild carbonation helps form a thin but dense beige head atop a burgundian brown body. Holding the glass up to a light a beautiful ruby red tinge and a slow cascade of bubbles become apparent. The nose has a mild roasted character with an overall fruity aroma. But first and foremost a strong accented coriander and cracked pepper spice waft off the head. Delving deeper into the aroma I find earthen malts with a toffee and caramel sweetness atop the candied Belgian fruit notes. The aroma is in general a nice combination of malt, fruit and spice despite straying from the usual Belgian Dubbel style. My first sip has light caramel and toasted bread malts, toffee and molasses sweetness with a light candied raisin also become present. Beautiful mildly roasted malts and sweetness part to a prominent coriander spice note towards the finish with a bit of lingering on the finish. A hint of citrus fruit and hop bitterness dry out the palate towards the finish. Despite the 8.5% ABV this is remarkably sessionable by taste. Despite all the odd ingredients, this tastes like a Belgian Dubbel except for the intense coriander nbtes and a lighter than usual body. Overall this is a unique and definitely uncommon beer.
Grade: 87/100
Price: $5.00
