Tag Archives: Belgian pale ale

DICK’S GRAND CRU

Coarse-tongued Belgian-styled ale allows acrid oak-aged cherry waft and unripe white grape mouthfeel to glower tart candy sweetness. Blanched orange rind bittering and terse pineapple squint reach oats-toasted backend of inconspicuous 10% alcohol-doused dessert. Upon 2011 re-tasting, detected improved cherry-pureed orange bruise, funkier Belgian yeast peppering, and thicker malt liquor-like alcohol blast. Ripe peach, cantaloupe, melon, and banana illusions stretch across buttery caramel malting (with a hint of cornmeal in backend).

(HUYGHE) LA GUILLOTINE BELGIAN ALE

Made at a family brewery, pale-toned foamy-headed strong ale retains better malted hop depth and fruitier esters than its cousin, Karibik Ale. Plus, it’s fuller, more distinct, and more enjoyable. Perfect balance between sweet wine sugaring and rich malt graining achieved, settling into luxurious nutmeg-spiced fruitcake finish. Tertiary cherry, pineapple, peach and pear undertones contrast peppery ginger snap. Lingered ethanol astringency brings alcoholic whir.

DOGFISH HEAD PANGAEA AMBER ALE

Coppery turbid Belgian-styled strong pale ale rushes crystallized ginger initiation across mouthwash-y eucalyptus-spearmint follow-up, allowing honeyed yeast sinew to embellish sour candy center and delicate peach caress. Sullen banana-pear-green apple combo invades oaken earthy mustiness as white pepper, black currant, and floral notes speckle flatly carbonated dried-fruit moldiness to citric-hop embittered finish almost sabotaged by oncoming astringency.

GREAT DIVIDE HADES ALE

Likable moderate-bodied yellow-hazed pale ale (with unobtrusive 7.3% alcohol) plies candi-sugared Belgian yeast sweetness to white-peppered clove-coriander-saffron spicing as well as curacao orange, white grape, apricot, and mango tartness for summery Saison-like sensation. Banana bubblegum illusions emerge as polite lemon pith bittering heightens dry citric finish.

ALESMITH HORNY DEVIL ALE

Great representative Belgian-styled pale ale boasts resounding malt-thickened 11% alcohol strength and expansive sugar-candied fruit juicing. Coppery whitish-sided Lucifer eulogizer crams compact raisin-prune-plum conflux into red apple ripeness, spicy coriander tingle, mild banana daiquiri sweetness and milky coconut snip. Tangy apricot-tangerine-passionfruit crest washes over brandied bruised orange warmth at luscious fruited finish, comparing favorably to Dogfish Head’s finest hop-infested malt-sweetened brews.

(GOOSE ISLAND) MATILDA

Engaging 7% alcohol Belgian-styled winter ’05 offering opens with beautiful floral-over-marmalade sweetness aided by doughy ‘rare yeast’ souring, apple cinnamon bun sensation and ethanol Reisling-wined esters. Herbal mint-y freshness, clove-chamomile suggestion, earthen barnyard underside and mild oaken cherry acridity provide tertiary splendor to emerging peach-honeyed cantaloupe-banana-pear fruiting of complex winter seasonal. 2012 and ’13 versions may’ve upped coriander-spiced mandarin orange, navel orange and tangerine lacquering as well as ripe peach tang.