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Michael Heniff's picture

Trooper Hallowed

November, 2017
Judges Rating: 
89
Aroma: 
21 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
36 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
9 / 10
Overall Impression: 
17 / 20

Trooper Hallowed is a Belgian Pale Ale (2015 BJCP Category 24B).  This style is typically a moderately malty and estery beer with a less aggressive yeast profile compared to many other Belgian ale styles.  This is the fourth offering from Robinson’s in collaboration with Bruce Dickinson and the iconic British heavy metal band, Iron Maiden.  The beer features crystal rye malt, Belgian-style yeast, and noble hops.  The bottle displays Iron Maiden's mascot “Eddie”, a constantly transforming creature of the dark with him adorning a Monk’s robe as “a nod to the Trappist monastic brewing tradition in Belgium” according to Bruce.  “Hallowed” is no doubt in reference to Iron Maiden’s classic “Hallowed Be Thy Name” from the 1982 album The Number of the Beast

This dark amber, almost light brown ale starts with an aroma of moderate toffee and caramel malt with a slight nutty accent, light plum esters, and a slight peppery phenolic.  The body is medium with a moderate-light carbonation.  The moderate toffee and caramel malt is slightly sweet and is complimented by a hint of chocolate.  The light plum and raisin esters compliment the slightly sweet dark malts while a light peppery phenolic provides contrast.  The finish is just bitter enough to keep the beer from becoming cloying; the layers of malt flavors linger throughout the finish.  This beer has a lot of depth in malt character while light Belgian yeast derived phenolics provide balance.  Seek out this Belgian Pale Ale (and head out to your local record store or concert venue and check out the band!).