351. De Dolle Ara Bier
I picked this up at Downtown Wine & Spirits. It came in an 11.2 oz. brown bottle with a picture of a yellow bird holding a glass of beer. I let it warm and served it in a Duvel tulip.
This is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Belgian Strong Pale Ales are typically high in alcohol, with fruity and spicy notes. This is one of my favorite styles. BJCP Style Guide.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a cloudy brownish amber, that borders on golden. A massive beige head tops the beer. The head sticks around well into the beer and leaves good lacing. A bit darker than I expected and a little too cloudy.
Smell (4.0): Nutty and sour apple aromas dominate, with a light yeastiness evident. As the beer warms the aroma really opens up.
Taste (4.0): Lightly sweet upfront with spicy, fruity and nutty flavors emerging in the center. The spiciness mellows as the beer warms. The finish is lightly bitter, with warming alcohol. The bitterness lingers quite a while and reminds me citrus zest. I initially had this as a 3.5, but once the beer warms and some of the carbonation dissipates the beer really improves.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Tingly carbonation seems to mask some of the better aspects of this beer. It's light bodied and smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): Drinkable enough, high alcohol makes it dangerous (especially on an empty stomach).
Overall (3.8): This is a decent Belgian Strong Pale Ale, not one of my favorites though.
I picked this up at Downtown Wine & Spirits. It came in an 11.2 oz. brown bottle with a picture of a yellow bird holding a glass of beer. I let it warm and served it in a Duvel tulip.
This is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Belgian Strong Pale Ales are typically high in alcohol, with fruity and spicy notes. This is one of my favorite styles. BJCP Style Guide.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a cloudy brownish amber, that borders on golden. A massive beige head tops the beer. The head sticks around well into the beer and leaves good lacing. A bit darker than I expected and a little too cloudy.
Smell (4.0): Nutty and sour apple aromas dominate, with a light yeastiness evident. As the beer warms the aroma really opens up.
Taste (4.0): Lightly sweet upfront with spicy, fruity and nutty flavors emerging in the center. The spiciness mellows as the beer warms. The finish is lightly bitter, with warming alcohol. The bitterness lingers quite a while and reminds me citrus zest. I initially had this as a 3.5, but once the beer warms and some of the carbonation dissipates the beer really improves.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Tingly carbonation seems to mask some of the better aspects of this beer. It's light bodied and smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): Drinkable enough, high alcohol makes it dangerous (especially on an empty stomach).
Overall (3.8): This is a decent Belgian Strong Pale Ale, not one of my favorites though.
Labels: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers, Reviews
