Great, thanks Ravenshead! I'm glad to have a name for it now! I thought phenolic meant you did something wrong, but I guess in some cases it is desirable?
Maybe I'll try to ease myself into that style some day.
Seems crazy to me, but most people I know like that style. I can barely convince myself to swallow it :p Another good reason to smell a beer before you drink it!
I'm wondering if anyone can tell me more about that unique taste/smell Belgian beers always seem to have. I don't know how to describe it very well, (other than utterly aversive in my opinion) maybe warm and sour? Almost toxic in my personal opinion. It really gets into my nose. It is ALWAYS...