Shane's Drivel

Maudite April 15, 2011

Style/ABV

Belgian Strong Dark Ale, 8%

Appearance

Dark brown, thin head that mostly goes away soon

Smell

Just a little malt, mostly what you’d expect from a dark ale

Taste

I had high hopes from this beer, as dark ales are my favorite style. Unfortunately, I felt this beer was merely a dark ale version of Ephemere. Minus the citrus, plus some hoppy/malty ale. Too much carbonation, that bites too much up front. It is heavier bodied than the ultra-lite Ephemere, but less so than I expect from a dark ale. Once again, as the beer warmed, the flavors came out more. And like Ephemere, I think this beer would be best served lightly chilled.

Drinkability

Yep, its just a dark ale version of Ephemere. Not nearly smooth as it should be. Too crisp from carbonation. A forgettable beer that I wouldn’t buy again. Life’s too short not to buy Chimay instead.

Ephemere April 15, 2011

Style/ABV

Can’t think of any style that suits this beer, 5.5%

Appearance

Cloudy, golden. Small head that goes away fairly soon.

Smell

The apple on the label clues one in on what to expect on the smell. Smells like a lager with distinct apple tones.

Taste

The apple smell was just a tease. There are only subtle apple flavors in the taste. The up-front taste is quite bitter, and more lemony than apple. This beer is very crisp and light. Carbonation feels heavy with enough up front bite to cover up any savoring of short-lived flavor. There’s little complexity to this light bodied beer. I don’t care for it.

Drinkability

Flavor is light and brief. Too much carbonation gets in the way of flavor. As the beer warmed in the glass, the flavors came out a little more. This beer might be best served lightly chilled.

Overall, I’m unimpressed. And after (if) I finish the next bottle in my sample pack, I won’t drink this one again.

Trois Pistoles April 3, 2011

Style/ABV

Belgian Strong Ale, 9%

Appearance

Very dark brown, and by dark I mean coca-cola. Almost purple in color. Absolutely no head. This much was quite a turnoff. I like to see a head on a beer. And I HATE stouts, which are the only other beers I know of as dark in appearance as this one.

Smell

If beer were red wine, this would be it. Smells like a red wine. Full-bodied fruits were apparent.

Taste

Smell was a good predictor of taste. Again, if beer could be red wine, this would be it. If you could imagine red wine with much of the sweetness replaced with malt, this would be it. It has all the maltiness of good ale with subtle fruity tones of a cabernet. Don’t get me wrong – it still tastes and drinks like beer. But it has the fruity subtle complexity of red wine.

Drinkability

Carbonation is just right – not too subtle, not overbearing either. Its drinks smooth enough, but lacks the silky caress of my favorite – Chimay Grande Reserve.

I like the taste and drinkability a lot. I’d like to rank this beer among my favorites, but the complete failure in the appearance department is hard for me to get beyond. I’d drink this again. Maybe in dimly lit bar. LOL

La Fin Du Monde April 3, 2011

Belhaven Wee Heavy April 3, 2011

Style/ABV

Scottish Ale, 6.5%

Appearance

Dark ruby red caramel. Small head which quickly goes away and leaves light lacing.

Smell

Smells mostly like a typical ale with slight caramel tones.

Taste

Wet, or slick, on the palate. Delivers an immediate taste of sweet caramel followed by a raisin-like finish. Malty. Carbonation is like. No bitterness at all. Sweet would be the best one-word description of this beer.

Drinkability

Goes down very smooth. Light carbonation doesn’t leave you feeling full. The complex sweetness is inviting. Ales are my favorite style and I’ll be buying more of this one. I’d say its my favorite next to Chimay Grand Ale