The Mighty Banana by Pontoon Brewing is a fruited and spiced Belgian Golden Strong Ale and is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer (category 30A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Spice, herb or vegetable beers should have a harmonious balance between the spices, herbs or vegetables with the base beer style. Belgian golden strong ales are noted for their deceptive strength, light color and simple malt profile as well as prominent yeast-derived citrusy esters and peppery phenolics with an occasional complement from hops. The Mighty Banana was brewed with bananas, cinnamon and vanilla.

The Mighty Banana pours golden in color with good clarity and a small, off-white, quickly fading head. The aroma is moderate banana and lighter cinnamon and pepper-like phenolics over a background of bready malt. The flavor is of moderate bready malt along with an even level of cinnamon, peppery phenolics and vanilla. There is a moderate warmth in the finish from the alcohol content (9% ABV) and cinnamon.

The Mighty Banana is a very interesting spiced beer. The Belgian golden strong ale base style is fairly neutral and well brewed. The spices and fruit are not too subtle or too strong. If there is any flaw with the beer, it is that the spices and fruit flavors are a little muddled. Don’t let the fruit and spices scare you away from this very good beer, however.