Allagash Brewing Curieux Belgian-Style Golden Ale
Allagash Brewing Curieux Belgian-Style Golden Ale is a 10.2% ABV bourbon-barrel-aged Belgian-style golden ale from Allagash Brewing Company of Portland, Maine — the brewery's most popular barrel-aged beer, first brewed in 2004. The brand's Tripel ages roughly seven weeks in freshly-emptied bourbon barrels, then is blended back with fresh Tripel for balance. Sold here as a 4-pack of 12oz bottles. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 10.2%
- Format: 4-pack of 12oz bottles
- Barrel aging: ~7 weeks in freshly-emptied bourbon barrels, blended back with fresh Tripel
- Brewery: Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, Maine
- Style: Belgian-style golden ale / Tripel, barrel-aged
- Reception: BeerAdvocate score 95 — ranked #5 Belgian Tripel
The Tripel That Met the Bourbon Barrel
Curieux — "curious" in French — began as an experiment by brewer Jason Perkins after he joined Allagash in 1998. The formula stuck: age the brewery's celebrated Tripel in freshly-emptied bourbon barrels for about seven weeks, then blend it back with fresh Tripel so the oak frames the beer without overwhelming it. Founder Rob Tod started Allagash in 1995 with a single Belgian-style white; two decades later, Curieux remains the craft beer drinker's benchmark for barrel-aged Belgian styles.
Tasting Notes
Golden and effervescent, with the Tripel's signature pear-and-spice Belgian yeast character deepened by bourbon-barrel warmth: vanilla, light oak, honeyed malt, and a dry, warming finish. The barrel presence is firm but the blend-back keeps it elegant — never hot or woody.
How to Enjoy
Serve at 45–50°F in a tulip or goblet, poured gently to leave the sediment behind. Pair with aged gouda, roast chicken, or bread pudding, and cellar a bottle or two — this style rewards a year or two of patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Curieux" mean?
It is French for "curious" — a nod to the experimental spirit behind the brewery's first barrel-aged beer.
Is Allagash Curieux aged in bourbon barrels?
Yes — the Tripel ages about seven weeks in freshly-emptied bourbon barrels, then is blended back with fresh Tripel.
What is the ABV of Allagash Curieux?
10.2% ABV.
Where can I buy Allagash Curieux online?
You can order it online from Allagash Brewing listings at Del Mesa Liquor — this 4-pack is available for purchase and ships from San Diego, CA.
Browse the full Allagash Brewing collection, or explore more barrel-aged pours in our craft beer section.
Portland's most celebrated barrel-aged Belgian — add Curieux to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.