Country of Origin: Belgium
Price comparison: About $10.00 USD per 750 ml.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 11%.
Cute bottle/label? 750 ml dark green glass champagne-style, corked, caged, and foiled. Ink-and-watercolor of a moat-surrounded building which I have yet to find identification for: I presume it's a monastic brewery, but I have no proof. The brewery's website appears to be nothing more than a holding spot for further programming that never took place.
Appearance: Bright gold, yielding a creamy white head and sheets of thin lace.
Scent: Butterscotch and white grapes, with a mild, nutty maltiness throughout.
Flavor: Warm, but not burningly alcoholic, with malt, cinnamon, and yeast prevalent, and a gentle citrus-vanilla finish.
Impressions: I wasn't expecting a beer this big to be so smoothly drinkable. I drank it rather faster than was probably good for me, but didn't care.
Will I buy this beer again? Yes, yes, absolutely. It's attractive and not too crass to serve with dinner (I felt it would go nicely with pasta dishes or lightly sauced poultry) and it's very affordable for its quality. Also, it's a live (still contains active yeast) ale, so it could certainly cellar well and possibly even increase in alcohol content over a period of time.
Rating:
4½ out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: July 24, 2005
