Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Belgian Style Ale Tasting Apr 1-15

• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  April 5, 2009

  Golden Monkey - tripel ale brewed with spices, 9.5% ABV, Victory Brewing Co., Downington, PA
  
  Bright honey-golden hue with a white head of foam composed of minute bubbles. Plentiful tiny bubbles rising. Tart & fruity aroma with a hint of banana; then clove becomes evident. Very appetizing!
  
  Very finely carbonated, moderately-light bodied brew. The foam adds a creaminess to the texture.
  Massive flavour profile with tons of spice – clove, coriander, dried lemon peel, hint of vanilla, and a hint of pepper; a sweetish start with an almost astringent middle and then a sweet-sour tanginess into the finish. Yeasty note adds depth. Light, biscuity malt underpins the yeast & spice-driven flavours, and a hint of flowery hops sneaks along in the background of the finish. Complex, extremely flavourful, and amazingly drinkable for the alcohol level.
  
  Left some foam sheeting on the glass, and a smile on my face.
  
  img= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3414800496_b29be7c777.jpg?v=0

  Golden Monkey - tripel ale brewed with spices, 9.5% ABV, Victory Brewing Co., Downington, PA
  
  Bright honey-golden hue with a white head of foam composed of minute bubbles. Plentiful tiny bubbles rising. Tart & fruity aroma with a hint of banana; then clove becomes evident. Very appetizing!
  
  Very finely carbonated, moderately-light bodied brew. The foam adds a creaminess to the texture.
  Massive flavour profile with tons of spice – clove, coriander, dried lemon peel, hint of vanilla, and a hint of pepper; a sweetish start with an almost astringent middle and then a sweet-sour tanginess into the finish. Yeasty note adds depth. Light, biscuity malt underpins the yeast & spice-driven flavours, and a hint of flowery hops sneaks along in the background of the finish. Complex, extremely flavourful, and amazingly drinkable for the alcohol level.
  
  Left some foam sheeting on the glass, and a smile on my face.
  
  img= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3414800496_b29be7c777.jpg?v=0
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  April 5, 2009

  Golden Monkey - tripel ale brewed with spices, 9.5% ABV, Victory Brewing Co., Downington, PA
  
  Bright honey-golden hue with a white head of foam composed of minute bubbles. Plentiful tiny bubbles rising. Tart & fruity aroma with a hint of banana; then clove becomes evident. Very appetizing!
  
  Very finely carbonated, moderately-light bodied brew. The foam adds a creaminess to the texture. Massive flavour profile with tons of spice – clove, coriander, dried lemon peel, hint of vanilla, and a hint of pepper; a sweetish start with an almost astringent middle and then a sweet-sour tanginess into the finish. Yeasty note adds depth. Light, biscuity malt underpins the yeast & spice-driven flavours, and a hint of flowery hops sneaks along in the background of the finish. There's also a note of mead-like honey. Complex, extremely flavourful, and amazingly drinkable for the alcohol level.
  
  Left some foam sheeting on the glass, and a smile on my face.

  Golden Monkey - tripel ale brewed with spices, 9.5% ABV, Victory Brewing Co., Downington, PA
  
  Bright honey-golden hue with a white head of foam composed of minute bubbles. Plentiful tiny bubbles rising. Tart & fruity aroma with a hint of banana; then clove becomes evident. Very appetizing!
  
  Very finely carbonated, moderately-light bodied brew. The foam adds a creaminess to the texture. Massive flavour profile with tons of spice – clove, coriander, dried lemon peel, hint of vanilla, and a hint of pepper; a sweetish start with an almost astringent middle and then a sweet-sour tanginess into the finish. Yeasty note adds depth. Light, biscuity malt underpins the yeast & spice-driven flavours, and a hint of flowery hops sneaks along in the background of the finish. There's also a note of mead-like honey. Complex, extremely flavourful, and amazingly drinkable for the alcohol level.
  
  Left some foam sheeting on the glass, and a smile on my face.
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  April 5, 2009

  Golden Monkey, 9.5% ABV
  Tripel ale brewed with spices, Victory Brewing Co., Downington, PA
  
  Bright honey-golden hue with a white head of foam composed of minute bubbles. Plentiful tiny bubbles rising. Tart & fruity aroma with a hint of banana; then clove becomes evident. Very appetizing!
  
  Very finely carbonated, moderately-light bodied brew. The foam adds a creaminess to the texture. Massive flavour profile with tons of spice – clove, coriander, dried lemon peel, hint of vanilla, and a hint of pepper; a sweetish start with an almost astringent middle and then a sweet-sour tanginess into the finish. Yeasty note adds depth. Light, biscuity malt underpins the yeast & spice-driven flavours, and a hint of flowery hops sneaks along in the background of the finish. I also pick up a note of mead-like honey. Complex, extremely flavourful, and amazingly drinkable for the alcohol level.
  
  Left some foam sheeting on the glass, and a smile on my face.

  Golden Monkey, 9.5% ABV
  Tripel ale brewed with spices, Victory Brewing Co., Downington, PA
  
  Bright honey-golden hue with a white head of foam composed of minute bubbles. Plentiful tiny bubbles rising. Tart & fruity aroma with a hint of banana; then clove becomes evident. Very appetizing!
  
  Very finely carbonated, moderately-light bodied brew. The foam adds a creaminess to the texture. Massive flavour profile with tons of spice – clove, coriander, dried lemon peel, hint of vanilla, and a hint of pepper; a sweetish start with an almost astringent middle and then a sweet-sour tanginess into the finish. Yeasty note adds depth. Light, biscuity malt underpins the yeast & spice-driven flavours, and a hint of flowery hops sneaks along in the background of the finish. I also pick up a note of mead-like honey. Complex, extremely flavourful, and amazingly drinkable for the alcohol level.
  
  Left some foam sheeting on the glass, and a smile on my face.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  April 5, 2009

  Abbey Belgian Style Ale, 7.00% ABV
  New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO
  
  The Abbey Belgian Style Ale from New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, CO pours out at coppery, mahogany brown in color with nice clarity and a thin, light tan head that dissipates almost immediately. On the nose aromas of fig, plum, banana, licorice and malt. In the mouth flavors of prune and fig come first with the slightest sweetness followed by spice, a good bitterness and prickly carbonation. Medium bodied. Some lacing. Well carbonated. Some cream to the mouthfeel but it is hidden behind bold effervescence. Quite dry on the finish. A love Belgian Style Dubbel Ale with nice balance of flavors. Refreshing and quite crisp
  
  

  Abbey Belgian Style Ale, 7.00% ABV
  New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO
  
  The Abbey Belgian Style Ale from New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, CO pours out at coppery, mahogany brown in color with nice clarity and a thin, light tan head that dissipates almost immediately. On the nose aromas of fig, plum, banana, licorice and malt. In the mouth flavors of prune and fig come first with the slightest sweetness followed by spice, a good bitterness and prickly carbonation. Medium bodied. Some lacing. Well carbonated. Some cream to the mouthfeel but it is hidden behind bold effervescence. Quite dry on the finish. A love Belgian Style Dubbel Ale with nice balance of flavors. Refreshing and quite crisp
  
  
• ilovebeer

  

  Member
   

  April 6, 2009

  Allagash
  Dubbel Reserve Belgian Style Ale
  Batch #63
  7% ABV
  Portland , ME
  
  A: Pours a cloudy amber brown from the bottle with a nice size cream head which doesn't remain too long.
  
  S- Has a little tobacco, a little fruity, a somewhat malty. Smells a lot like a fall type beer.
  
  T- Is a little light, with malt predominant over some of the more dark fruit flavors. There's still a little of the smokiness to it, but overall the malt and fruit is what comes up front.
  
  Mouthfeel is too light for a dubbel. It's a little too thin and perhaps a little too carbonated for my taste. It doesn't break the beer, but it sure doesn't help it's cause any.
  
  This is an overall very drinkable beer, but would most likely not look for it on the shelf again.
  
  

  Allagash
  Dubbel Reserve Belgian Style Ale
  Batch #63
  7% ABV
  Portland , ME
  
  A: Pours a cloudy amber brown from the bottle with a nice size cream head which doesn't remain too long.
  
  S- Has a little tobacco, a little fruity, a somewhat malty. Smells a lot like a fall type beer.
  
  T- Is a little light, with malt predominant over some of the more dark fruit flavors. There's still a little of the smokiness to it, but overall the malt and fruit is what comes up front.
  
  Mouthfeel is too light for a dubbel. It's a little too thin and perhaps a little too carbonated for my taste. It doesn't break the beer, but it sure doesn't help it's cause any.
  
  This is an overall very drinkable beer, but would most likely not look for it on the shelf again.
  
  
• spiritblades

  

  Member
   

  April 7, 2009

  Fools Gold Belgian gold, 9% abv
  (Sockey Brewpub, Boise, ID)
  This was a seasonal brewed for St. Patricks Day
  Although most barley ales are darks and meand for winter, this belgian actually reminded me of a barley. It was very smooth, and had a healthy sweetness to it. It had very little head after the pour from the tap. A nice change from winter into summer!

  Fools Gold Belgian gold, 9% abv
  (Sockey Brewpub, Boise, ID)
  This was a seasonal brewed for St. Patricks Day
  Although most barley ales are darks and meand for winter, this belgian actually reminded me of a barley. It was very smooth, and had a healthy sweetness to it. It had very little head after the pour from the tap. A nice change from winter into summer!
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  April 7, 2009

  Trappist Achel Blond Bier, 8.00% ABV
  Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse, Hamont-Achel, Belgium
  
  The Trappist Achel Blond Bier from Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse in Hamont-Achel, Belgium pours out a lovely golden in color with quite a bit of haze and a huge white head. On the nose aromas of banana, yeast, some herbal notes and a little lemon. In the mouth you first get some sweetness and banana followed by a hoppy bite and prickly carbonation that leads into some sour notes. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Beautiful lacing. A chalky creaminess to the mouthfeel. Lovely finish that is quite dry. An excellent beer that is an easy drinker for 8.00% ABV.
  
  

  Trappist Achel Blond Bier, 8.00% ABV
  Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse, Hamont-Achel, Belgium
  
  The Trappist Achel Blond Bier from Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse in Hamont-Achel, Belgium pours out a lovely golden in color with quite a bit of haze and a huge white head. On the nose aromas of banana, yeast, some herbal notes and a little lemon. In the mouth you first get some sweetness and banana followed by a hoppy bite and prickly carbonation that leads into some sour notes. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Beautiful lacing. A chalky creaminess to the mouthfeel. Lovely finish that is quite dry. An excellent beer that is an easy drinker for 8.00% ABV.
  
  
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  April 8, 2009

  Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale, 10.0% ABV
  Anderson Valley Brewing, Boonville, CA
  
  Colour is bright old gold to very pale amber and clear. The near-white inch of foam dissipates to a thin layer and collar. Aroma is yeasty with a clove note, some mild grainy malt and light fruitiness.
  
  Moderately full body with a very smooth texture. Yeasty & bready up front, with some tasty clove & fruity notes (Juicy Fruit, a little banana) and light, biscuity malt showing up. Bitterness is mild, but there’s a drying edge to the finish with a tangy character as well. Hint of coriander seed. Flavourful and refreshing – very drinkable, especially for 10% ABV!

  Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale, 10.0% ABV
  Anderson Valley Brewing, Boonville, CA
  
  Colour is bright old gold to very pale amber and clear. The near-white inch of foam dissipates to a thin layer and collar. Aroma is yeasty with a clove note, some mild grainy malt and light fruitiness.
  
  Moderately full body with a very smooth texture. Yeasty & bready up front, with some tasty clove & fruity notes (Juicy Fruit, a little banana) and light, biscuity malt showing up. Bitterness is mild, but there’s a drying edge to the finish with a tangy character as well. Hint of coriander seed. Flavourful and refreshing – very drinkable, especially for 10% ABV!
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  April 8, 2009

  Ommegeddon - "Funkhouse ale with Brettanomyces", 8% ABV
  Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY, Batch #2, March 2008
  
  The beer pours a clear, bright honey gold capped by a thick, dense white mousse of a head. Streams of bubbles rise generously into the foam. Refreshing blast of tart grapefruit and citrus blossoms in the aroma. Hint of earthy, funky brett note underneath. Candyish fruity quality.
  
  Light bodied and spritzy texture; the carbonation tingles all over the tongue. The thick foam lends a creamy texture and increases the mouthfeel. Tart, fruity and floral flavours, with grapefruit and citrus rind, citrus blossom, and plenty of that classic brett funkiness. This is outstanding! Refreshing, palate-awakening, and definitely more-ish! Awesome, tart-fruity-sour-funky beer!
  
  Food Pairing Recommendations: Probably best as an aperitif, but might work with some rich, buttery hors d’ouvers (goat cheese in fillo, for instance, or a fresh croissant with artisan butter).

  Ommegeddon - "Funkhouse ale with Brettanomyces", 8% ABV
  Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY, Batch #2, March 2008
  
  The beer pours a clear, bright honey gold capped by a thick, dense white mousse of a head. Streams of bubbles rise generously into the foam. Refreshing blast of tart grapefruit and citrus blossoms in the aroma. Hint of earthy, funky brett note underneath. Candyish fruity quality.
  
  Light bodied and spritzy texture; the carbonation tingles all over the tongue. The thick foam lends a creamy texture and increases the mouthfeel. Tart, fruity and floral flavours, with grapefruit and citrus rind, citrus blossom, and plenty of that classic brett funkiness. This is outstanding! Refreshing, palate-awakening, and definitely more-ish! Awesome, tart-fruity-sour-funky beer!
  
  Food Pairing Recommendations: Probably best as an aperitif, but might work with some rich, buttery hors d’ouvers (goat cheese in fillo, for instance, or a fresh croissant with artisan butter).
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  April 8, 2009

  Piraat Ale, 10.50% ABV
  Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V., Ertvelde, Belgium
  
  The Piraat Ale from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. in Ertvelde, Belgium pours out a light amber in color with nice clarity and a white head that dissipates pretty quickly. Very yeasty on the nose with caramel sweetness and some funk. In the mouth there is a good dose of sweetness first followed by potent yeasty flavors, pineapple, mango and some pepper. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Decent lacing. A little cream to the mouthfeel. Quite dry on the finish but full of intriguing flavors. If you are not into yeasty Belgian beers this is not for you.
  
  

  Piraat Ale, 10.50% ABV
  Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V., Ertvelde, Belgium
  
  The Piraat Ale from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. in Ertvelde, Belgium pours out a light amber in color with nice clarity and a white head that dissipates pretty quickly. Very yeasty on the nose with caramel sweetness and some funk. In the mouth there is a good dose of sweetness first followed by potent yeasty flavors, pineapple, mango and some pepper. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Decent lacing. A little cream to the mouthfeel. Quite dry on the finish but full of intriguing flavors. If you are not into yeasty Belgian beers this is not for you.