Beer of the Weekend #946: The Hermit

 The beer of the weekend is The Hermit, brewed by the ReUnion Brewery of Coralville, Iowa.



Serving type: 12-ounce can poured into a tulip. There is no date on the can.

Appearance: The color is clean, clear gold. About a finger of head dissipates quickly, leaving a bubble-spotted, scattered skim and collar.

Smell: The first whiff is a bouquet of spice. It is fruity and smooth, too, with a touch of sweetness. It’s peppery, herbal, and yeasty. Banana and apple come to mind. There is a touch of honey.

Taste: The flavor is an interesting and tasty mix. There is spice and yeast, but it is sweet up front. It leaves a pleasing and lingering bitterness on the taste buds after each sip. Herbal spice, yeast, fruit flavors of banana and apple, and honey sweetness.

Fun facts about The Hermit:

• Style: Belgian strong golden ale.

• Price: $10.99 for a six-pack of 12-ounce cans at the New Pioneer Co-op in Iowa City.

• Alcohol content: 8 percent ABV.

• According to BeerAdvocate, the appropriate glassware for the style is a goblet or chalice. I don’t own a goblet or chalice made of glass, though I have a purple plastic chalice somewhere. I should get a proper one at some point just to have it.

• As a Led Zeppelin fan, I can’t drink this beer without thinking about “The Hermit” that is part of Led Zeppelin IV’s artwork.

The Quiet Man’s grade: B.