22 oz bottle from CBX, Charleston, SC, $5.49.
Well, it needs to be said that this beer does not look like, or drink like, a Belgian Pale Ale. This is one thing that REALLY pisses me off. When a brewery puts the words “Belgian Pale Ale” on the label, it seems reasonable to assume that there is a Belgian Pale in the bottle – in this case there isn’t, there’s a beer that is much closer to a Dubbel, or at very least a Brune. It beer looks good as a “beer”, but it looks awful as a “Belgian Pale”.
Anyway, the pour is a dark brown with a creamy head that produces some nice lace and the cream is nicely persistent.
The nose and tastes are a combination of rich malts and a LOT of yeast – I mean a LOT of yeast. It’s appealing in one way since the beer leaves you in no doubt about what its trying to do, but the strength of the yeast character is a little tiring toward the end of the bottle. It finishes with a touch of burnt sugar and more yeast. Also adds a dash of soap
Mouthfeel is rich and creamy which frankly is not the way a Belgian Pale should feel – it’s nice, but a mess for the style.
What’s going on here I cannot fathom. It’s a tasty Dubbel, but it’s a ridiculous BPA. This beer annoys me.