Bands, festivals and the lot are releasing branded booze by the dozens these days. GRIMM makes it its mission to get to the bottom (of the bottle) of this trend with insightful reviews and extra backgrounds. So sit back, PICK YOUR POISON, and discover all you need to know about your favorite band’s alcoholic brands!
Poison Fact Sheet
- Band: Opeth
- Poison name: Communion Pale Ale
- Poison style: beer – pale ale
- ABV: 5,6 %
- IBU: 40
- Brewery: Northern Monk Brew Co. (England)
(ABV = Alcohol By Volume; IBU = International Bittering Units)
Tasting
The Communion pours with a decent foam head that does not dissipate too quickly. The color is orange to almost amber. The first smell that reaches your nose is very inviting and mainly reminds of ripe oranges. In the taste you have a fruity bitterness of both European and American hops. Only later the taste brings a certain dryness. Thirst-quenching for a short while, because you will be wanting more. Overall, a very memorable pale ale beer.
Packaging
The simple yet elegant twist of names of Opeth’s album Pale Communion and this Communion Pale Ale is the first thing that drew our attention when we first heard of this beer. It comes in a golden can with Opeth’s signature decorated letter “O” taking the spotlight. Around the top of the can you can find the mesmerizing words “Seek and ye shall find true north. The evolution of tradition”. Overall, we like the atmosphere this brewery breathes. With other sounding names as Eternal Darkness, Heathen, or Dark Arches this brewery has a few beers that could instantly draw the attention of metal music lovers.
We would have been happier with a more sinister (metal?) tune to the rather intriguing promotional video on their website, though.
Fun fact: this Communion Pale Ale comes from the same brewery that created the Opeth XXV Anniversary Imperial Stout. A rare gem that is now practically impossible to find.
Check the brewery’s website to see when they have more in stock or (for our Belgian readers) hurry to Dranken Geers in Oostakker to purchase the last cans!
