Why we picked it: A recommendation from Andy at Norm's. We've heard good things about this beer.
About Boulevard's Tank 7: Most breweries have at least one piece of equipment that’s just a bit persnickity. Here at Boulevard we have fermenter number seven, the black sheep of our cellar family. Ironically, when our brewers were experimenting with variations on a traditional Belgian-style farmhouse ale, the perfect combination of elements came together in that very vessel. You could call it fate, but they called it Tank 7, and so it is. Beginning with a big surge of fruity aromatics and grapefruit-hoppy notes, the flavor of this complex, straw-colored ale tapers off to a peppery, dry finish.
Style: Saison/Farmhouse Ale
Availability: Year-round, Draught and both 750 mL and 4-Pack Bottles
Beer Advocate Score: 93
Color (EBC): 12
Bitterness (IBUs): 38
Original Gravity (Plato): 17.3
Terminal Gravity (Plato): 2.5
Alcohol (ABV): 8.5%
Sensory Profile: A straw colored, light to medium bodied beer with an earthy, spicy, grapefruit aroma and flavor, a soft, sweet malt flavor and a prominent hop bitterness.
Aroma: Floral, citrusy hops, Belgian yeast esters
Malt: Soft, light, sweet flavor
Hops: Prominent hop bitterness and citrusy, grapefruit, peppery flavor
Balance: Hops
Body: Light/medium to medium
Ingredients:
Malt: Pale Malt, Malted Wheat
Adjuncts: Corn Flakes
Hops: Magnum, Bravo, Amarillo
Glassware: Goblet
Pairings: Herb-roasted chicken, Pork, Taleggio cheese
Case Cost: $60
*website: http://www.boulevard.com/BoulevardBeers/tank-7-farmhouse-ale/
Finally....I've been waiting for this one!
ReplyDeleteI was not disappointed. This is a nice brew. Starts off with a big head (I know some people like that), easy pout, nice color and then the hint of sour when you taste for the first time...very good.
DeleteBuy the bar a round!
If you are buying, then I am drinking
DeleteWhat is it and these blondes giving good head? I am not complaining mind you, I am like any other man and all men like good head. This blonde was far stronger than the other blondes, which I like. I do not care much for timid blondes but will sample them because they are easy. But this blonde is bold and beautiful. If this was darker, I would call it a HR but a triple to the huge gap is always nice especially the way she gets me drunk quicker than most. Nice selection although she costs too much for my taste (typical blonde).
ReplyDeleteI first discovered saisons about ten years ago at the Brickhouse Pub in Decatur, Georgia (outstanding place) on the recommendation of my future sister-in-law's now husband (which I think sort of makes him my brother-in-law). He bought me a Saison Dupont and I would rate that as one of my five star beers. The saison style works when it works but when it doesn't, it ends up quite sour. My favorite saisons are the just mentioned Dupont, Ommegang Hennepin, Great Divide, and Sierra Nevada's Ovila Abbey Saison. But I've also tasted some pretty bad saisons. As much as I love Stone, I find their saison to be awful. And the Stillwater saison I had at Meridian Pint may be the worst beer I've ever had. I believe I compared it to Dimetapp at the time. But a really sour Dimetapp.
ReplyDeleteSo that brings us to tonight's offering. I first had this at Smoke and Barrel about a year ago (thanks untappd). Ordered it since it was a saison and I was hoping for a hit. And was it ever. I find this to be up there with the best of the lot and the 8% ABV doesn't hurt. For some reason it is almost always on draft at the Bethesda American Tap Room which seems to be the only Bethesda watering hole with more than 3 beers on tap that aren't named Budweiser. Drank several there on my birthday this year.
Tonight's version is exactly as I remember. Freaking awesome. Just the perfect amount of subtle sourness that I like. I think it's the grapefruit. I paired this with air to realize the maximum effects and I highly recommend that. My only regret is that I am almost done.
Since Bill always writes a long narrative, I can write a terse comment. I enjoyed this one - I also agree with your recommendation of Ommegang Hennepin.
DeleteThis one was a roller coaster for me.
ReplyDeleteGot home, wife has the 3 yr old so it's just me and the not quite 1-yr old.....and I'm attempting to make dinner too. Put her in the high chair, give her some food to distract, and I start cooking while popping open the beer. Smells great / looking forward to a solid Belgian-style....then notice the food pairing is pork.....and I'm making pork chops. Winner! Out of the gate though, I felt the initial flavor didn't match the aroma. That said, it grew on me the further in I got. I'm gonna give this a solid rating. Only regret is that I finished it before I are so I didn't get to validate that claimed food pairing. Either way I'll have another anytime - this one mIght make it into my regular rotation.
After harvesting the corn, milking the cow, gathering the eggs, and choking the chicken I settled down to this tasty brew. It has a great grapefruit scent from the outset and just enough kick at the end to remind you that this is not just an ordinary beer. But that kick dissipates leaving nary an aftertaste, which I couldn't say for most of the other brews I have tried during this campaign. I'm a big fan of Boulevard in general and I imagine this would pair well with any BBQ-based dinner or snack! At 8.5% any farmer/Beltway bandit/average Joe drinking this would quickly forget the trials of the day and just enjoy their evening.
ReplyDeleteeasy on the avg Joe reference. I may be a farmer but not a fing beltway bandit! haha
DeleteDeeeeelicious! I'm starting to appreciate Belgians more and this one right here certainly helped the cause! I've only have a few beers Boulevard and they've all been solid including this one. I'm pissed off at myself because I've seen this around many many times but always picked up a 6 of something else instead. That ends now! A
ReplyDeleteGive this one an A.. Would def take another!
ReplyDeletePoured this in a glass, huge head! Thought I poured it pourly so tried again with my wife's and huge head again! I've drank this pretty fast so far and now I want to slow down and enjoy it. It's a winner! Not sure how to describe it, except for delicious! It seems rather light and can't really pick up on the 8.5% ABV. A couple of these would really sneak up on me. Grade 9.5 out of 10, strong A
ReplyDeleteWinner, winner chicken dinner! This one is my favorites so far. Clearly the higher the ABV the more I'm gonna like it. This would hold up well to a hearty meal and I wish I had another. Goes in the Yes column for me. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely my favorite so far. It goes down real easy, tastes awesome, and packs a little punch in its ABV. More please!
ReplyDeleteThis was a very good Belgium. I knew it was going to be hoppy after i had to wait 5 minutes for thr head to die down enough for me to drink the beer. After I finally got to drink it, I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the citrus flavor and would seek out more if I had some. A-
ReplyDeleteIt was good but nothing notable. I would happily drink more. Although it does feel more like a summer beer. B+
ReplyDeleteI first had Tank 7 on draft at Chef Geoff a couple of years ago. I instantly liked it and it hasn't disappointed since. There are probably better Saisons out there but I haven't had them. Great balance between the malts, hops and peppery flavor. Grade is A.
ReplyDeleteIt's no longer on tap at Chef Geoff's...I think its time I brought it back. Sadly it has never been a big seller in any restaurant that I have been running.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteToo much head. I hate drinking beer with any head on it but was eager to try it and got impatient so I gave it a go. I tasted the hops on my first sip but it got better and I wouldn't mind having another one. Good pick in our lineup.
ReplyDeleteThanks to those that blog and make this more fun. 14 posts out of 72 people is pathetic.
Thank you blondy for putting this together! Sorry about all the blonde jokes. Of course they don't apply to you
DeleteBlondes that give great head...THERE IS NOTHING BETTER IN THE WORLD!!!!
DeleteJust sayin...
Tip for foam: swipe your finger on your nose and stir it into the foam. Nose grease... it works
DeleteBS
This is one of my all time favorite beers. An excellent example of the art of balancing and complimentary components. Enough said, except to thank the 24 DoB crew for another good line up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brad's previous comment. This beer is uniquely complex, but incredibly balanced. Each sip is so full of a variety of flavors and yet they all seem to work together. Nicely orchestrated. I would love to try this on draft.
ReplyDeleteIt's brilliant on draft, but I might actually prefer this from the bottle...
DeleteThey had these on draft sunday at matchbox in merrifield. I had a couple and their pizza is great
DeleteBS
Glad everyone seemed to like this one. Tank 7 is an old friend for me. Check out everything that Boulevard does...they make fantastic beer!
ReplyDeleteIn honor of my 29th circumnavigation of the solar system I am getting caught up on a few days past, and, who would have thought, I ran out of beers I put on blast in the freezer. Now I am drinking this one warm, cause, why not? Looking forward to tomorrow's beer too.
ReplyDeleteI had a couple of these on what us kids call sunday funday sunday afternoon at Matchbox in the new fancy area of merrifield. When I first moved to DC merrifield is where I lived, and back then the movie theater was affectionately known by the locals as the murder-plex. I did not witness a single murder Sunday so things have really changed.
These days the whole area is super fancy but has free parking. The free parking really kills the fancy vibe, why can't we just valet for cash?
Anyways, to answer your question: yes, matchbox is affiliated with ted's bulletin, and no, ted's bulletin is not affiliated with ted's montana grill (I asked)
BS
I still like the IPAs more, but this comes close to surpassing them. I must admit that this beer surprised me in a good way. Previously, I had been told this beer was not good, and this came from someone who loves farmhouse style ales. Not sure if they just had skunked beer, or if they were confusing it with another beer, but I liked it. I loved the aroma and smooth taste. Definitely a beer you can have at any time of the year.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely one of my favorites so far. Will be adding this to my rotation for certain
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I wasn't the only one with a huge head. I thought it was just an unskilled pour. Had to wait a while before I could start drinking. Smells fantastic. Tastes great too. If saisons were a bit cheaper and easier to find they would be my go-to style over an IPA.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know where this can be purchased locally? Besides, obviously, Norm's.
This was one of my favorites as well. I like IPA's but don't love them and this is a good body without overpowering.
ReplyDeleteGood head, good color, a bit too hoppy, but a smooth after taste. B-
ReplyDeleteCatching up after an illness. I know Tank. I've drank Tank. I've enjoyed Tank. Tank is no winter beer, but I'm not going to hold that against it. A good farmhouse through and through. Grade: 8/10.
ReplyDelete