Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Belgian Style Ale Tasting Apr 1-15

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  April 14, 2009

  Bornem Triple Abbey Ale, 9.00% ABV
  Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V., Ertvelde, Belgium
  
  The Bornem Triple Abbey Ale from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. in Ertvelde, Belgium pours out a golden wheat in color with some cloud and a ridiculously huge, white, foamy head that hangs around for a good while. On the nose aromas of apple, pear, lemon, yeast, some mustiness and a little dust. In the mouth you first taste a light fruitiness with flavors of apple and pear followed by spice and a lovely bitterness. Medium bodied. Champagne like carbonation. Incredible lacing. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. Dry on the finish. A very nice Tripel Ale that is refreshing and crisp.
  
  

  Bornem Triple Abbey Ale, 9.00% ABV
  Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V., Ertvelde, Belgium
  
  The Bornem Triple Abbey Ale from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. in Ertvelde, Belgium pours out a golden wheat in color with some cloud and a ridiculously huge, white, foamy head that hangs around for a good while. On the nose aromas of apple, pear, lemon, yeast, some mustiness and a little dust. In the mouth you first taste a light fruitiness with flavors of apple and pear followed by spice and a lovely bitterness. Medium bodied. Champagne like carbonation. Incredible lacing. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. Dry on the finish. A very nice Tripel Ale that is refreshing and crisp.
  
  
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  April 15, 2009

  Vichtenaar Flemish Ale, 5.1% ABV
  West Flemish red-brown ale matured in oak casks
  Brouwerij Verhaeghe (Vichte, Belgium)
  
  Garnet red hue, clear, with a million bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass. Sparse foam head diminishes to a patch of pale eggshell composed of all sizes of bubbles. Strong aroma note of balsamic vinegar, wine-like tart fruit (cherries in particular) and some alcohol. Lighter body with fine carbonation bead. Very drinkable & refreshing – spritzy & light. Tart fruit up front with a mellow edge. Notes of cherries (mix of sweet and tart varieties). Rounded middle with sweet-sour character. Really shows off the oak aging nicely. Has a gently drying finish with a hint of woodiness. Immensely refreshing and not at all beer-like; another great Belgian sour ale. A few little dots of foam remain on the glass at the finish.

  Vichtenaar Flemish Ale, 5.1% ABV
  West Flemish red-brown ale matured in oak casks
  Brouwerij Verhaeghe (Vichte, Belgium)
  
  Garnet red hue, clear, with a million bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass. Sparse foam head diminishes to a patch of pale eggshell composed of all sizes of bubbles. Strong aroma note of balsamic vinegar, wine-like tart fruit (cherries in particular) and some alcohol. Lighter body with fine carbonation bead. Very drinkable & refreshing – spritzy & light. Tart fruit up front with a mellow edge. Notes of cherries (mix of sweet and tart varieties). Rounded middle with sweet-sour character. Really shows off the oak aging nicely. Has a gently drying finish with a hint of woodiness. Immensely refreshing and not at all beer-like; another great Belgian sour ale. A few little dots of foam remain on the glass at the finish.
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  April 15, 2009

  Wisconsin Belgian Red Style, 5.1% ABV
  Wisconsin ale brewed brewed with Montmorency cherries from Door County and lagered in oak tanks.
  New Glarus Brewing, WI
  
  Bright, cloudy red with a hint of apricot mixed in, capped by a beige-pink layer of thick foam. Leaves some fairly heavy lace sheeting on the glass. Fresh, tart cherry pie aroma with a hint of apple. Mouth-filling, creamy texture with moderately full body. Flavour is cherries! Tart, fresh cherries with a pie-like character and a hint of fresh apple cider. Real, all-natural fruit flavours. Ultra-refreshing. Hint of a drying, oaky note in the finish. Dessert in a glass!
  

  Wisconsin Belgian Red Style, 5.1% ABV
  Wisconsin ale brewed brewed with Montmorency cherries from Door County and lagered in oak tanks.
  New Glarus Brewing, WI
  
  Bright, cloudy red with a hint of apricot mixed in, capped by a beige-pink layer of thick foam. Leaves some fairly heavy lace sheeting on the glass. Fresh, tart cherry pie aroma with a hint of apple. Mouth-filling, creamy texture with moderately full body. Flavour is cherries! Tart, fresh cherries with a pie-like character and a hint of fresh apple cider. Real, all-natural fruit flavours. Ultra-refreshing. Hint of a drying, oaky note in the finish. Dessert in a glass!
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  April 29, 2009

  The Grande Reserve (Blue), 9.00% ABV
  Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium
  
  The Grande Reserve (Blue) from Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium pours out a dark brown in color with some reddish hues and a large tan head that dissipates after a short while. On the nose aromas of coffee, dark dried fruit, roasted malt, a little caramel and a touch of booze. In the mouth this is very sweet up front with a good dose of caramel and malt followed by the dried dark fruit and alcohol warmth. Full side of medium bodied. Well carbonated. Some lacing. Slight syrup to the mouthfeel. The finish surprised me with its dryness. A wonderful beer at the top of its class.
  
  

  The Grande Reserve (Blue), 9.00% ABV
  Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium
  
  The Grande Reserve (Blue) from Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium pours out a dark brown in color with some reddish hues and a large tan head that dissipates after a short while. On the nose aromas of coffee, dark dried fruit, roasted malt, a little caramel and a touch of booze. In the mouth this is very sweet up front with a good dose of caramel and malt followed by the dried dark fruit and alcohol warmth. Full side of medium bodied. Well carbonated. Some lacing. Slight syrup to the mouthfeel. The finish surprised me with its dryness. A wonderful beer at the top of its class.
  
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  April 29, 2009

  The Cinq Cents Tripel Ale (White), 8.00% ABV
  Bieres de Chimay in Baileux (Chimay), Belgium
  
  The Cinq Cents Tripel Ale From Bieres de Chimay in Baileux (Chimay), Belgium pours out a cloudy, golden-orange in color with a huge, foamy white head. On the nose aromas of yeast, banana, spice, citrus and malty sweetness. Very rich and full in the mouth with flavors of raisin, banana, clove, yeast and a tartness that livens on the tongue followed by the slightest hop bite that is just enough to let you know it is there. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Beautiful lacing. Rich mouthfeel that is very smooth. Quite dry on the finish with a tartness that lingers. A great beer that everyone should try and will probably want more of.
  
  

  The Cinq Cents Tripel Ale (White), 8.00% ABV
  Bieres de Chimay in Baileux (Chimay), Belgium
  
  The Cinq Cents Tripel Ale From Bieres de Chimay in Baileux (Chimay), Belgium pours out a cloudy, golden-orange in color with a huge, foamy white head. On the nose aromas of yeast, banana, spice, citrus and malty sweetness. Very rich and full in the mouth with flavors of raisin, banana, clove, yeast and a tartness that livens on the tongue followed by the slightest hop bite that is just enough to let you know it is there. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Beautiful lacing. Rich mouthfeel that is very smooth. Quite dry on the finish with a tartness that lingers. A great beer that everyone should try and will probably want more of.
  
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  April 29, 2009

  Chimay Premiere (Red), 7.00% ABV
  Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium
  
  The Chimay Premiere from Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium pours out a cloudy, rubyish brown in color with a large tan head that dissipates within a few minutes to a fine film. On the nose the aromas are quite subdued but sweet malt, raisin and pepper are present. In the mouth this is cinnamon infused apples and pears with toasted raisin bread and a dose of alcohol. There is a little bite to this brew but in a good way. Well carbonated. Nice lacing. Medium bodied. Prickly (from the carbonation), crisp mouthfeel. Very dry on the finish. Another winner from Chimay. A great beer that is very easy to drink.
  
  

  Chimay Premiere (Red), 7.00% ABV
  Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium
  
  The Chimay Premiere from Bieres de Chamay in Baileux (Chamay), Belgium pours out a cloudy, rubyish brown in color with a large tan head that dissipates within a few minutes to a fine film. On the nose the aromas are quite subdued but sweet malt, raisin and pepper are present. In the mouth this is cinnamon infused apples and pears with toasted raisin bread and a dose of alcohol. There is a little bite to this brew but in a good way. Well carbonated. Nice lacing. Medium bodied. Prickly (from the carbonation), crisp mouthfeel. Very dry on the finish. Another winner from Chimay. A great beer that is very easy to drink.
  
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  May 1, 2009

  Saison Dupont Belgian Farmhouse Ale, 6.50% ABV
  Brasserie Dupont SPRL in Tourpes, Belgium
  
  The Saison Dupont Belgian Farmhouse Ale from Brasserie Dupont SPRL in Tourpes, Belgium pours out a hazy, orange-gold in color with a massive, rocky, white head that hangs around. On the nose aromas of pear, clove, pepper and musty basement. In the mouth you get a lovely sweetness at first that carries through the mouth with the addition of peppery spice, tart fruit, yeast and some herbal tones. Medium bodied. Nice carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Excellent lacing. Quite dry on an extended finish. This is a wonderful beer and I urge you to try it at least once. You'll be hooked!
  
  375ml bottle, 6.50% ABV
  
  

  Saison Dupont Belgian Farmhouse Ale, 6.50% ABV
  Brasserie Dupont SPRL in Tourpes, Belgium
  
  The Saison Dupont Belgian Farmhouse Ale from Brasserie Dupont SPRL in Tourpes, Belgium pours out a hazy, orange-gold in color with a massive, rocky, white head that hangs around. On the nose aromas of pear, clove, pepper and musty basement. In the mouth you get a lovely sweetness at first that carries through the mouth with the addition of peppery spice, tart fruit, yeast and some herbal tones. Medium bodied. Nice carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Excellent lacing. Quite dry on an extended finish. This is a wonderful beer and I urge you to try it at least once. You'll be hooked!
  
  375ml bottle, 6.50% ABV