Augustijn Grand Cru: Review

Br. Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

9% abv

11.2 oz stubby bottle

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Sampler Six Pack

$22.99

Appearance: glowing golden orange that is slightly misty with a one and a half finger snow white head; make sure to swirl that bottle to get that Belgian yeast sediment into the glass

Aroma: yeast; mild stone fruit; light Belgian spice; light bouquet overall

Flavors: very nice elegant style; stone fruit; firm earthy yeast; herbal biscuit like; sweet grains are soon washed with a pleasing bitter note that reminds me of orange peel; a faint musty white peppercorn on the back and aftertaste; fruity and dry aftertaste

Mouthfeel: a fine lively carbonation that gives it a little spritzy feel; not very sweet like I expected; more sweet grains that honey or candy like on the front and then a mild-moderate bitterness on the mid and finish; fruity and dry aftertaste

Find that comfy chair to sit back and enjoy

To the Point: a fine Grand Cru; elegant; very pleasing to drink; nice complexity; this is worthy of the price of admission; just sit back – sip and enjoy

Food pairing: Swordfish, Mahi Mahi, Sea Bass or how about veal chops

Augustijn Dark Brune Ale: Review

Br. Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

8% abv

11.2 oz stubby bottle

Style: Dark Ale/Brown Ale

Sampler Six Pack

$22.99

Appearance: brown body with a two finger light tan head that leaves some lacing

Aroma: mild nose; plain brown ale like; earthy yeast; sweet brown grains

Flavors: sweet non-descript malts; sweet brown grains; touch of dark raisins; mild hops to keep things in check; light non-descript spice on the finish;

Mouthfeel: low carbonation; smooth feel; moderate flavors; okay aftertaste; sweet malts balanced by some mild hops; medium body; no frills here

To the Point: this beer is not very review-o-genic as I like to say; not much to write about but, it is pleasing to drink; then the question is, do you want to pay this price for this ale?; 

Bordeaux Barrel Aged Scotch Silly Ale: Review

Brasserie De Silly

Silly, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

Scotch Silly Ale aged in Bordeaux Barrel.

9% abv

750ml bottle

$13.00 from Ashley’s of Westland, Michigan

I could not find any information on the Global Beer website.

I was pretty excited about the Port Barrel Ale and I have to admit that I was a little disappointed.  I don’t know what to expect now with this one.  If you ever visit my wine blog you know I love my wines so, once again my expectation is high but, I am ready for the letdown.  So, I am skeptical going into this now.   

Appearance: murky brown body with a one finger tan head that leaves no lacing on the glass; the barrel aging added some darkness to the body

Aroma: some black fruit like black currant, mulberry, black raspberry; firm malty note; not as sweet as the Port Aged Scotch Silly.

Flavors: one sip, two sip; not bad; third sip – I am liking this one; oh yes, the Bordeaux Barrel aging is coming through; the black fruit of the Bordeaux is blending well with the Ale; the nose and the flavor are working together like a fine wine should; black currant and black plum mingle so well with the ales toasted caramel malts; hint of toffee; light coffee; slight hint of oak; I am being reminded of the black raspberry jam I had this morning on a fresh biscuit but no tiny seeds here.

Mouthfeel: dry feel like a fine Bordeaux; low carbonation; medium-full body; very nice ale notes mix so well with the wine barrel notes; moderate bitterness really controls the sweetness of the Scotch Silly Ale. 

To the Point: I really like how the Bordeaux Barrel Aging stood out and added a lot of character to this ale.  The nose was very pleasing and match the flavors.  If you like good red wines and you like a good ale this should do the trick.  I will plan to buy more of this ale. 

Scotch Silly Port Barrel Aged: Review

Br. De Silly

Silly, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

9% abv

Serve 45 degrees

750ml bottle

$13.00 Ashley’s of Westland, Michigan

I had to buy two of these bottles because I love a great tawny port.  Now, take an already sweet ale, Scotch Silly, add some port barrel aging and this could be really good.

Appearance: nice medium-dark amber with a hint of ruby port color to the body with a one finger tan head and not much on the lacing front

Aroma: sweet malty nose; whiff of cotton candy sugar; not much on the port

Flavors: tart apple; caramel; sweet grains; caramel/toffee cotton candy; dried out stale black licorice; oak spice; flavors just seem DE shoveled

I sure am missing the port concept here – I love a nutty port with a rich caramel/toffee style with a nice woody quality and some dark fruits.  All this is - is a slightly tart Scotch Silly.

Mouthfeel: dry; tart yet sweet; low carbonation; bitterness on the finish; lighter than I expected in body; dirty tart aftertaste

To the Point: wow, 87 points on BA with 26 reviews; I’ll bet $100 that only two of them have ever had a great port – hell, I’ll bet only four of them have ever had a port;

This is not all that interesting to me; I don’t know if I could even give it a 72% to keep it in the C range I’ll have to give it a C-.  Damn, I had a fine cigar planned for this ale. 

Anybody want to buy my second bottle.  

Augustijn Blonde Ale: Review

Br. Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

8% abv

11.2 oz stubby bottle

Style: Blond Ale

Sampler Six Pack

$22.99

Appearance: In to the Mystic Orange – I want that job at the paint company to name their colors -  one and half finger snow white head; some lacing with each sip but not much sticking to the chalice  

This is the appearance before I swirl the bottle with
the last inch of ale

Aroma: not very pronounced; mild overall; I’ll do my best to describe this ale: light sweet non-descript malt; golden raisin; hint of orange; Belgian yeast; I give up for I might fall asleep smelling this ale  

Here is the appearance poured with the sediment
This ale should have a misty appearance

Flavors: blood orange; hint of apricot; golden raisin; fresh sweet pear; very pleasing fruity style; Belgian yeast; sweet biscuit; light spice – nothing discernable  

Mouthfeel: this ale is all about mouthfeel; semi-creamy; very light carbonation for a fine fizzy feel; pleasing fruity style from start to finish; medium body at best;

To the Point: a pleasing ale to sit back and enjoy; nothing special considering the price; probably why I have not had it since 2011; nice to try once in a while;

Food Pairing: white fish/shell fish

Cigar Pairing: Cameroon wrapped cigars that are mild to medium in body

Leute Ale Bokbier: Review

Br. Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

7.5% abv

11.2 oz stubby bottle

Style: Strong Dark Ale on BA; Double Bock on Global Beer

Sampler Pack

Appearance: dull opaque ruddy brown body with a tan head that leaves a spot or two of lacing here and there.  Be ready to pour the bottle when you open it for the carbonation just explodes and this bottle sat on the table for at least twenty minutes till I got a chance to open it. 

Aroma: moderate malty bouquet; notes are not clear to me; dark fruits; sweet grain; not very inspiring

Flavors: tastes better than the nose; nice dose of cherry up front followed by dark fruit, milk chocolate and grains; mild hops keep things in balance; as the flavors meld together I think of that cheap box of Valentine candy that has the one piece of chocolate that I did not like … milk chocolate covered cherry.

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation; light or light-medium in body … to me it is light for the style; thin aftertaste of light tart cherry; not very complex; a tad thin; lacks depth;

To the Point: I don’t get this Bokbier; maybe they are competing with Kasteel Rouge 8; it is better than Kasteel Rouge in my opinion; Kasteel is a cherry cola beer to me; the Leute has some ale qualities at least; a good ‘girls’ beer; I am giving this one a straight out C … 75% for a double bock.  

There are not many ales brewed by Van Steenberge that I don't care for and this is one of those on that short list.  

Troubadour Imperial Stout: Review

Br. The Musketeers

Ursel, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

9% abv

750 ml bottle

$12.99

Appearance: dark body, almost black, big dark cola like edges, easy two finger light tan head; some nice lacing on the glass;

Aroma: dark roasted malts; semi-sweet chocolate; toasted brown sugars; light smoky note; creamy feel on the nose

Flavors: follows the nose with a light peppery feel on the back and finish; black smoked sea salt on the finish; medium roasted coffee; mild hops help to add balance

Mouthfeel: not imperial stout like its more stout like but, it is a Belgian Ale; not syrupy; not thick; in other words a tad thin for an imperial stout; dark roasted notes; sweet toasted sugars; medium coffee bitterness; light peppery feel probably from the alcohol; soft carbonation; full-medium body

To the Point: not a very impressive imperial stout – I’ll give it a C as an imperial stout; thinking of it as a stout – I’ll give it a B/B+; lacks the mouthfeel of an imperial stout; a very pleasing stout to sit back and enjoy; 

Biere du Boucanier Dark Ale: Review

Van Steenberge

Belgium

Globalbeer.com

9% abv

11.2 oz stubby white bottle

$21.99 a six pack (sampler pack)

Refermented in the bottle

Style: Triple Ale or Belgian Strong Pale Ale

I just cannot believe that I have not reviewed these Boucanier Ales.  I did review the Red Ale a year or two ago (click here to see review).

Appearance: a ruddy cola colored body with a light tan two finger head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Aroma: light bouquet of dark fruits that remind me of dry fig and sweet dark raisin; light yeast and light brown bread – reminds me of a light pumpernickel bread;

Flavors: really follows the nose; flavors seem to meld together well; good balance with a nice sweet note and mild hops to keep things in check; the only thing to add to the flavor profile would be a lightly toasted yet sweet caramelized malty note 

Mouthfeel: light carbonation gives me a fine fizzy feel to keep things a little crisp; smooth feel; sweet raisins early, little bittering on mid and a dry bittering on the finish and a sweet caramelized malt that swirls around these notes; brown bread aftertaste with caramel; medium body

To the Point: easy to drink; no wow factor but, very serviceable Dark Ale; lacks complexity and depth but still pleasing to drink;

If you want to have a Pirate Party this is Boucanier line-up is a must have.  Don't forget Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19.  

Sandwich Pairing: grilled pumpernickel bread with black forest ham, baby Swiss cheese, and mayo or grilled Black Russian Bread with pastrami brisket, Havarti cheese, and Mucky Ducky sweet Mustard.

Cigar Pairings: this medium bodied Ale goes well with a variety of cigars; I am enjoying a San Lotano Oval Cigar with it today.  

Biere du Boucanier Red Ale: Review

Van Steenberge

ICOBES B.V.B.A.

Evergem, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

7% abv

11.2 oz stubby bottle

Style: Belgian Pale Ale on BA site / red or brown ale on globel beer site

I reviewed this ale back in 2012 – once again I just cannot believe I did not review this ale sooner.  I have great memories of drinking the Boucanier line-up back in summers of 2008 and 2009.  When I started blogging in 2010 I remember drinking them then – but no reviews to be found – weird. 

Appearance: caramel amber body with a finger and a half of bone white head; no lacing

Aroma: sweet malts, lightly candied summer fruits mixed with a hint of tropical fruit, yeast,

Flavors: sweet malts up front with a mix of mild grassy hops; the fruity notes are not discernable to me; sweet summer fruit, hint of sweet citrus, touch of candied tropical; let me give it my best here with the fruit – sweet pear and apple mixed with sweet tangerine or clementine and a hint of candied pineapple/red banana; mild grassy hops? I don’t know – maybe sweet hay but I’ll have to ask Mr. Ed on that (Mr. Ed is the talking horse show from the 60’s);

Mouthfeel: low carbonation for a smooth slightly creamy sweet feel; it is on the sweet side of the tracks but the mild hops do a great job keeping it in check but not standing out; it is an elegant Belgian Ale non the less;

To the Point: Red ales are not on the top of my list but, this is no American Red Ale; Damn this is one quality ale whatever you want to call it – Red Ale, Brown Ale (No), Amber Ale (No), Belgian Pale Ale – fits it best; I think I might have to put this on my top shelf list

Click here to see the 2012 review 

Biere du Boucanier Golden Ale: Review

Van Steenberge

Belgium

Globalbeer.com

11% abv

11.2 oz stubby bottle

$21.99 a six pack (sampler pack)

Refermented in the bottle

Style: Triple Ale or Belgian Strong Pale Ale

I cannot believe that I have never reviewed this ale.  Just before I started this blog, back in January of 2010, I stumbled across the Boucanier line-up and I enjoyed them a lot.  I also remember smoking some fine cigars with this ale and enjoy the experience each and every time.  I just can’t believe this ale is not on my cigar or beer blog – just a pure injustice. 

Appearance: cloudy golden orange body with a one and a half finger white head that settles to a thin layer in about a minute or so; some lacing on the glass; get that yeast off the bottom of the bottle by swirling the bottle with the last inch of beer and then pouring it into the chalice; solid sheets of lacing hang on my second glass of this ale during the first half of the glass then, spotty lacing

Aroma: to me this has that classic Belgium Beer aroma: Belgian yeast, sweet tropical fruits like tangerine and a hint of banana (a creamy red banana) with a touch of stone fruit; nice spice; aromatic hop;

Flavors: sweet malts and nice aromatic hops show some good balance (still on the sweet side); stone fruits and citrus zest swirl around some sweet grains and honey; spice on the back that reminds me of pink peppercorn; come to think of it the sweetness also reminds me of the cranberry maple rub that I just sautéed up in some unsalted butter that I glazed my pecans in that I covered my veal chops in today for dinner. 

Mouthfeel: creamy feel; fine fizzy feel from the carbonation; sweet candied fruit up front with spice on the mid and it all comes together for a pleasing aftertaste; a pleasing bitterness underneath;  medium-full body; the alcohol did not play a big role to me except for adding the light pink peppercorn spice note

To the Point: very pleasing aroma that makes the drinking experience a pleasure; the sweetness is under control and not in your face; the mild hops give it some balance; I am giving this ale a solid 89% for a B+ … no how about 90% for an A- … boy is grading a beer tough work; must buy – go out of your way to find this ale

The Boucanier Golden Ale paired perfectly with the La Gloria Serie R Maduro No. 6 cigar.

Seef Bier: Review

Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie

Antwerp, Belgium

info@artisanalimports.com

The Original Antwerp Ale

6.5% abv

11.2 oz  bottle

$14.49 a four pack

Appearance: glowing misty maple cream (golden yellow); one finger white head; make sure to swirl the bottle to get the sediment off the bottom of the bottle; no lacing

If I had the job of naming paint colors
I would call this Misty Maple Cream

Aroma: lemon peel front and center; dusty wheat; earthy yeast; hint of apricot to me; bring this all together and what you have is a dust cloth with lemon Pledge

Flavors: dirty lemon peel; sour wheat; earthy yeast; hint of stone fruit underneath; is it a wet coriander spice on the late mid and back or is it dusty wheat soaked in lemon juice?

Mouthfeel: tart; sour; dusty notes; earthy grains; lemon; moderate fizzy carbonation to keep the palate lively; moderate tart-sour lemon wheat on the aftertaste;

To the Point: I like it; I don’t like it; just like the other day when I had one; I don’t like the lemon Pledge on the nose – it reminded me of lemon Pledge and I cannot get it out of my mind; the nose just makes the taste … well … bothersome; if I don’t smell the bouquet while I have a sip the flavors are not all that bad; the earthy lemon peel style that has a light-moderate tart-sour note is not bad at all;

If you like lemon style beers (I am thinking of summer shandy’s) you should try this; if you follow my blog you know I am not a fan of lemon in beer; with that said I’ll give this beer a 79-80% - I’ll be nice today I’ll call it B-

For the price: $14.49 a four pack – I would give it a C at best; if this was 8 bucks a four pack I would think of buying this again in the summertime; 14 bucks – no.

Pairing: dusting the house furniture with ... of course ... Lemon Pledge