Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Belgian Beer Tasting - June, 2012

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  May 31, 2012

  For June's craft beer tasting we are going to change things up a bit and implement Ken's suggestion of running the tasting for the whole month. June's tasting is for Belgian style beers whether they are from Belgium or made outside of Belgium but in the appropriate style. The types of Belgian beer are; Belgian Dark Ale, Belgian IPA, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Bière de Champagne (Bière Brut), Bière de Garde, Dubbel, Faro, Flanders Oud Bruin, Flanders Red Ale, Gueuze, Lambic (Fruit or Unblended), Quadrupel, Saison, Farmhouse Ale, Tripel and Witbier.
  
  Some choices might include; Brewery Ommegang Three Philosophers, Abbaye de Leffe Leffe Braun, Brasserie d'Achouffe Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel, Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild, Brouwerij Westvleteren Trappist Westvleteren Blonde, Lindemans Gueuze Cuvée René, Ballast Point Gueuze, Southampton Black Raspberry Lambic, Allagash Coolship Red, Weyerbacher Merry Monks' Ale, Anderson Valley Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale, North Coast Brother Thelonious, Unibroue Blanche De Chambly & Russian River Damnation.

  For June's craft beer tasting we are going to change things up a bit and implement Ken's suggestion of running the tasting for the whole month. June's tasting is for Belgian style beers whether they are from Belgium or made outside of Belgium but in the appropriate style. The types of Belgian beer are; Belgian Dark Ale, Belgian IPA, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Bière de Champagne (Bière Brut), Bière de Garde, Dubbel, Faro, Flanders Oud Bruin, Flanders Red Ale, Gueuze, Lambic (Fruit or Unblended), Quadrupel, Saison, Farmhouse Ale, Tripel and Witbier. Some choices might include; Brewery Ommegang Three Philosophers, Abbaye de Leffe Leffe Braun, Brasserie d'Achouffe Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel, Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild, Brouwerij Westvleteren Trappist Westvleteren Blonde, Lindemans Gueuze Cuvée René, Ballast Point Gueuze, Southampton Black Raspberry Lambic, Allagash Coolship Red, Weyerbacher Merry Monks' Ale, Anderson Valley Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale, North Coast Brother Thelonious, Unibroue Blanche De Chambly & Russian River Damnation.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  June 1, 2012

  Elevation Apis IV Quadrupel
  Elevation Beer Company, Poncha Springs, CO
  750ml bottle, Bottle #00089, 10.7% ABV, 41 IBU
  Belgian Style: Quadrupel
  
  The Apis IV Quadrupel Ale brewed with honey is the first bottled beer from one of Colorado's newest breweries, Elevation Beer Company, located in Poncha Springs. The Apis IV Quadrupel pours out a dark chocolate brown with just a little light making its way though and is topped with a two finger, mocha, tightly knit head that slowly dissipates to a film with a nice collar. On the nose, honeyed sweetness, barnyard funk, chocolate, dark fruit and a little apple. Smooth as butter in the mouth. No hints in the taste that this is over 10% ABV. Flavors of honey, dark fruit, a little funk, some pepper, apple and the faintest hint of smoke. Full side of medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Moderate lacing on the glass. Round mouthfeel. A very long finish is highlighted with a honeyed sweetness that does not want to quit.
  
  Complex, bold and for a new brewery to put this out as their first beer, impressive. I'd drink this over and over and that might be the only issue I have with this craft beer. For 10.71% ABV this is almost way too drinkable. Not that that is a fault in anyway. To sum it up in three words - brilliant, bold, complex. Highly recommended.

  Elevation Apis IV Quadrupel Elevation Beer Company, Poncha Springs, CO 750ml bottle, Bottle #00089, 10.7% ABV, 41 IBU Belgian Style: Quadrupel The Apis IV Quadrupel Ale brewed with honey is the first bottled beer from one of Colorado's newest breweries, Elevation Beer Company, located in Poncha Springs. The Apis IV Quadrupel pours out a dark chocolate brown with just a little light making its way though and is topped with a two finger, mocha, tightly knit head that slowly dissipates to a film with a nice collar. On the nose, honeyed sweetness, barnyard funk, chocolate, dark fruit and a little apple. Smooth as butter in the mouth. No hints in the taste that this is over 10% ABV. Flavors of honey, dark fruit, a little funk, some pepper, apple and the faintest hint of smoke. Full side of medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Moderate lacing on the glass. Round mouthfeel. A very long finish is highlighted with a honeyed sweetness that does not want to quit. Complex, bold and for a new brewery to put this out as their first beer, impressive. I'd drink this over and over and that might be the only issue I have with this craft beer. For 10.71% ABV this is almost way too drinkable. Not that that is a fault in anyway. To sum it up in three words - brilliant, bold, complex. Highly recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  June 2, 2012

  Brouwerij Bavik Petrus Aged Pale Ale
  Brouwerij Bavik, Bavikhove, Belgium
  11.2 ounce bottle, 7.3% ABV
  Belgian Style: There really isn't one but it is a Pale version of a Flanders Red Ale
  
  The Petrus Aged Pale Ale from Brouwerij Bavik in Bavikhove, Belgium pours out a very clear gold in color topped with a one finger, snow white, foamy head that reduces down pretty quickly. On the nose this smells quite vinous. Almost like a buttery, oaked, California chardonnay. Green apple, tart citrus and sour cherry aromas. Tart right off the bat in the mouth and stays tart. More sour apple and pear than sour cherry with a mild woodiness and a little lemon-lime. Light bodied. Fine carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Crisp, clean mouthfeel. The tartness on the finish does not seem to want to end.
  
  A wonderful beer that has a lovely tartness that really refreshes. Knowing this has aged for twenty plus months in oak barrels I thought it might be a bit of a woody monster but flavor from the wood is quite restrained. Highly recommended.
  

  Brouwerij Bavik Petrus Aged Pale Ale Brouwerij Bavik, Bavikhove, Belgium 11.2 ounce bottle, 7.3% ABV Belgian Style: There really isn't one but it is a Pale version of a Flanders Red Ale The Petrus Aged Pale Ale from Brouwerij Bavik in Bavikhove, Belgium pours out a very clear gold in color topped with a one finger, snow white, foamy head that reduces down pretty quickly. On the nose this smells quite vinous. Almost like a buttery, oaked, California chardonnay. Green apple, tart citrus and sour cherry aromas. Tart right off the bat in the mouth and stays tart. More sour apple and pear than sour cherry with a mild woodiness and a little lemon-lime. Light bodied. Fine carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Crisp, clean mouthfeel. The tartness on the finish does not seem to want to end. A wonderful beer that has a lovely tartness that really refreshes. Knowing this has aged for twenty plus months in oak barrels I thought it might be a bit of a woody monster but flavor from the wood is quite restrained. Highly recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  June 9, 2012

  River North J. Marie Saison Belgian Style Ale
  River North Brewery, Denver, CO
  22 ounce bottle, 7.5% ABV
  Belgian Style: Saison
  
  The J. Marie Saison from River North Brewery in Denver, Colorado is made with only two malts, one hop and pure saison yeast. The saison is apricot in color with a fine cloud and topped with a two finger, white head that slowly reduces down. Redolent aromas on the nose. Bubble gum, clove, fruit and slightly yeasty. Good flavor in the mouth with nice fruit, peppery spice and an underlying sweetness. More bitter than tart. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Long finish that is dry and flavorful.
  
  This is a very good beer but it is not a typical saison. It has more weight and is less tart than what comes to mind when I think of a saison. Nevertheless, this is a good craft beer that is a delight to drink. Recommended.

  River North J. Marie Saison Belgian Style Ale River North Brewery, Denver, CO 22 ounce bottle, 7.5% ABV Belgian Style: Saison The J. Marie Saison from River North Brewery in Denver, Colorado is made with only two malts, one hop and pure saison yeast. The saison is apricot in color with a fine cloud and topped with a two finger, white head that slowly reduces down. Redolent aromas on the nose. Bubble gum, clove, fruit and slightly yeasty. Good flavor in the mouth with nice fruit, peppery spice and an underlying sweetness. More bitter than tart. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Long finish that is dry and flavorful. This is a very good beer but it is not a typical saison. It has more weight and is less tart than what comes to mind when I think of a saison. Nevertheless, this is a good craft beer that is a delight to drink. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  June 13, 2012

  Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale
  Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, CO
  12 ounce bottle, 7.3% ABV, Bottled on Mar 23 2012
  Belgian Style: Farmhouse Ale
  
  The Colette Farmhouse Ale from Great Divide Brewing in Denver, Colorado pours out a straw yellow in color with some cloud and is topped by a large, foamy, snow white head that slowly recedes to a thick film. On the nose, aromas of clove, mango, papaya, some earthy funk and yeast. In the mouth, this comes quite mellow at first then a lovely sweetness takes over giving way to a peppery like spice that then turns bitter. Flavors of biscuit, honey, pepper, lemon and a little clove. Light side of medium bodied. Vibrant carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Thin sheets of lacing on the glass. The finish is very long and mostly peppery, bitter and dry.
  
  A very refreshing farmhouse ale that hides its high ABV well. Good flavor, good balance, highly recommended.

  Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, CO 12 ounce bottle, 7.3% ABV, Bottled on Mar 23 2012 Belgian Style: Farmhouse Ale The Colette Farmhouse Ale from Great Divide Brewing in Denver, Colorado pours out a straw yellow in color with some cloud and is topped by a large, foamy, snow white head that slowly recedes to a thick film. On the nose, aromas of clove, mango, papaya, some earthy funk and yeast. In the mouth, this comes quite mellow at first then a lovely sweetness takes over giving way to a peppery like spice that then turns bitter. Flavors of biscuit, honey, pepper, lemon and a little clove. Light side of medium bodied. Vibrant carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Thin sheets of lacing on the glass. The finish is very long and mostly peppery, bitter and dry. A very refreshing farmhouse ale that hides its high ABV well. Good flavor, good balance, highly recommended.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  June 18, 2012

  Trappistes "Rochefort 6"
  Brasserie Rochefort - Rochefort, Belgium
  Belgian Strong Ale (ABV 7.5%)
  
  [Best served in a Trappist glass]
  
  Rating: 3.6/5.0
  
  The pour was a murky medium chestnut brown with an average sized (1-2 finger) light tan head that quickly diminished to a thin cap, which in turn created some excellent sheets of lacing.
  
  The aroma was of a dark bread malt and a sweet Belgian yeast with notes of toffee, a plethora of dark fruit (cherries, plums raisons and figs) and a mild alcohol tinge.
  
  The taste was a mild malty sweet with a good toffee note early on, then becoming a bit yeasty with a big note of dark fruit and a pronounced alcohol finish. The flavor however was short lived fading quite quickly proceeding the swallow, with the fruity yeasty alcohol taste disappearing in what seemed like a matter if seconds.
  
  Mouthfeel was somewhere in the middle of light and medium in body with a slightly dry and a bit watery texture and a soft to medium carbonation.
  
  Overall this is a very well put together Belgian Ale, although this one is a tad lighter than the Trappistes 8 & 10 from this brewer. Now don't get me wrong, I truly think they are all exceptional brews...
  
  Sampled: 6/1/2012
  http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

  Trappistes "Rochefort 6" Brasserie Rochefort - Rochefort, Belgium Belgian Strong Ale (ABV 7.5%) [Best served in a Trappist glass] Rating: 3.6/5.0 The pour was a murky medium chestnut brown with an average sized (1-2 finger) light tan head that quickly diminished to a thin cap, which in turn created some excellent sheets of lacing. The aroma was of a dark bread malt and a sweet Belgian yeast with notes of toffee, a plethora of dark fruit (cherries, plums raisons and figs) and a mild alcohol tinge. The taste was a mild malty sweet with a good toffee note early on, then becoming a bit yeasty with a big note of dark fruit and a pronounced alcohol finish. The flavor however was short lived fading quite quickly proceeding the swallow, with the fruity yeasty alcohol taste disappearing in what seemed like a matter if seconds. Mouthfeel was somewhere in the middle of light and medium in body with a slightly dry and a bit watery texture and a soft to medium carbonation. Overall this is a very well put together Belgian Ale, although this one is a tad lighter than the Trappistes 8 & 10 from this brewer. Now don't get me wrong, I truly think they are all exceptional brews... Sampled: 6/1/2012 http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  June 18, 2012

  Avery Karma Belgian Style Pale Ale
  Avery Brewing Company, Boulder, CO
  12 ounce bottle, 5.2% ABV, 10 IBU
  Belgian Style: Pale Ale
  
  The Karma Belgian Style Pale Ale from Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, Colorado pours out a bright copper in color with good clarity and is topped with a one finger, off-white head that slowly reduces to a film. On the nose, aromas of nuts, biscuit, yeast and dark fruit. In the mouth, some biscuit flavor and a little lemony citrus shining through. Quite malty but also hoppy and slight tart. Light side of medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Nice lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Good length on the finish that winds up quite tart.
  
  A good, solid craft beer with nice flavor. Refreshing on a warm day. Recommended.

  Avery Karma Belgian Style Pale Ale Avery Brewing Company, Boulder, CO 12 ounce bottle, 5.2% ABV, 10 IBU Belgian Style: Pale Ale The Karma Belgian Style Pale Ale from Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, Colorado pours out a bright copper in color with good clarity and is topped with a one finger, off-white head that slowly reduces to a film. On the nose, aromas of nuts, biscuit, yeast and dark fruit. In the mouth, some biscuit flavor and a little lemony citrus shining through. Quite malty but also hoppy and slight tart. Light side of medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Nice lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Good length on the finish that winds up quite tart. A good, solid craft beer with nice flavor. Refreshing on a warm day. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  June 18, 2012

  Russian River Salvation Dark Ale
  Russian River Brewing Company, Sonoma, CA
  375ml bottle, 9.5% ABV
  Belgian Style: Strong Dark Ale
  
  The Salvation Belgian Style Strong Dark Ale (Batch #11) from Russian River Brewing Company in Sonoma, California pours out a deep brown in color and is topped with a large, foamy, light tan head that slowly reduces down to a film with a nice collar. On the nose, there is a ton of ripe fruit. Plums, black currant, cherries mixed in with brown sugar and a little yeast. In the mouth, this is a very smooth, well balanced beer. There is nothing harsh here. All the flavors meld congruously. Rich cherry and dark fruit flavors with a touch of roasted grain, a nice amount of sugary sweetness and a little spice. Low side of moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Some lacing on the glass. A slight viscosity to the mouthfeel. The finish is extremely long and packed with layers of flavor as they gradually subside.
  
  Not as harsh or as bold as a lot of Belgian Strong Dark Ales which I like. Perfect balance and layers of flavor tantalize the palate making you want to sip this craft beer so you can thoroughly enjoy it. One of the best beers I've had this year. Highly recommended.

  Russian River Salvation Dark Ale Russian River Brewing Company, Sonoma, CA 375ml bottle, 9.5% ABV Belgian Style: Strong Dark Ale The Salvation Belgian Style Strong Dark Ale (Batch #11) from Russian River Brewing Company in Sonoma, California pours out a deep brown in color and is topped with a large, foamy, light tan head that slowly reduces down to a film with a nice collar. On the nose, there is a ton of ripe fruit. Plums, black currant, cherries mixed in with brown sugar and a little yeast. In the mouth, this is a very smooth, well balanced beer. There is nothing harsh here. All the flavors meld congruously. Rich cherry and dark fruit flavors with a touch of roasted grain, a nice amount of sugary sweetness and a little spice. Low side of moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Some lacing on the glass. A slight viscosity to the mouthfeel. The finish is extremely long and packed with layers of flavor as they gradually subside. Not as harsh or as bold as a lot of Belgian Strong Dark Ales which I like. Perfect balance and layers of flavor tantalize the palate making you want to sip this craft beer so you can thoroughly enjoy it. One of the best beers I've had this year. Highly recommended.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  June 19, 2012

  Het Anker "Lucifer"
  Brouwerij Het Anker - Mechelen, Belgium
  Belgian Strong Ale (ABV 8%)
  
  [Best served in a Trappist glass]
  
  Rating: 3.4/5.0
  
  The pour was a hazy golden yellow with an average sized (1-2 finger) white frothy head that reduced slowly, down to a heavy film with a large collar which possessed some excellent sheets of lacing.
  
  The aroma was of a funky barnyard Belgian yeast and a light grain malt with notes of honey, citrus (lemon), toffee, a mild fruitiness and a slight alcohol scent.
  
  The taste was lightly sweet with a malty citrus note in the beginning, and then became very yeasty and a bit sour with a hint of green apple and a slight peppery alcohol tinge towards the end. The flavor lasted an average duration following the swallow, with a nice mild fruity funky yeast taste left behind.
  
  Mouthfeel was light in body and creamy in texture with a mild carbonation.
  
  Overall a very good Belgian Ale with a nice fruity citrus presence, that along with a good mix of yeast and alcohol helped make sure that no one flavor was so overpowering that it overshadowed any other. This brew was very tasty and rather refreshing for a beer that has such a high ABV…
  
  Sampled: 6/1/2012
  http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

  Het Anker "Lucifer" Brouwerij Het Anker - Mechelen, Belgium Belgian Strong Ale (ABV 8%) [Best served in a Trappist glass] Rating: 3.4/5.0 The pour was a hazy golden yellow with an average sized (1-2 finger) white frothy head that reduced slowly, down to a heavy film with a large collar which possessed some excellent sheets of lacing. The aroma was of a funky barnyard Belgian yeast and a light grain malt with notes of honey, citrus (lemon), toffee, a mild fruitiness and a slight alcohol scent. The taste was lightly sweet with a malty citrus note in the beginning, and then became very yeasty and a bit sour with a hint of green apple and a slight peppery alcohol tinge towards the end. The flavor lasted an average duration following the swallow, with a nice mild fruity funky yeast taste left behind. Mouthfeel was light in body and creamy in texture with a mild carbonation. Overall a very good Belgian Ale with a nice fruity citrus presence, that along with a good mix of yeast and alcohol helped make sure that no one flavor was so overpowering that it overshadowed any other. This brew was very tasty and rather refreshing for a beer that has such a high ABV… Sampled: 6/1/2012 http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  June 20, 2012

  Weyerbacher "Merry Monks Ale"
  Weyerbacher Brewing Company - Easton, Pennsylvania USA
  Abbey Tripel (ABV 9.3)
  
  [Best served in a Trappist glass]
  
  The pour was a hazy medium orange with an average sized (1-2 finger) white creamy head that dissipated quickly down to a light film with a small collar and had fair streaky sheets of lacing.
  
  The aroma was of a light bread malt and a moldy Belgian yeast with notes of banana, apple, citrus (lemon) and a hint of clove and/or coriander.
  
  The taste was mildly malty and a tad sweet with notes of apple and banana right off, becoming rather yeasty with a moderate citrus presence, a good dose of spices and a big alcohol finish. The flavor hung around for a good long time after the swallow with a spicy citrus taste left behind, along with a decent alcohol warming sensation.
  
  Mouthfeel was a tiny bit beyond light in body and dry in texture with an almost moderate carbonation.
  
  Overall this was an extremely tasty Tripel, with a nice yeasty citrus flavor. That along with the multitude of other flavors did a somewhat decent job of masking the high ABV, making this brew very drinkable and quite enjoyable...
  
  Sampled: 6/1/2012
  http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

  Weyerbacher "Merry Monks Ale" Weyerbacher Brewing Company - Easton, Pennsylvania USA Abbey Tripel (ABV 9.3) [Best served in a Trappist glass] The pour was a hazy medium orange with an average sized (1-2 finger) white creamy head that dissipated quickly down to a light film with a small collar and had fair streaky sheets of lacing. The aroma was of a light bread malt and a moldy Belgian yeast with notes of banana, apple, citrus (lemon) and a hint of clove and/or coriander. The taste was mildly malty and a tad sweet with notes of apple and banana right off, becoming rather yeasty with a moderate citrus presence, a good dose of spices and a big alcohol finish. The flavor hung around for a good long time after the swallow with a spicy citrus taste left behind, along with a decent alcohol warming sensation. Mouthfeel was a tiny bit beyond light in body and dry in texture with an almost moderate carbonation. Overall this was an extremely tasty Tripel, with a nice yeasty citrus flavor. That along with the multitude of other flavors did a somewhat decent job of masking the high ABV, making this brew very drinkable and quite enjoyable... Sampled: 6/1/2012 http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews