11.2 oz bottle from Hop City, Atlanta, GA, USA. My bottle is the "Framboise" that I'm pretty sure is the US version of "Rose". To be honest, I'm NOT against this kind of beer as a matter of principle, but having tasted this beer it's not something that I can take. Peach colored pour with a nice head that produces some lace. Th beer actually looks OK, as long as you observe it for what it is and no more. The nose is that bad either, with some artificial raspberry notes and some lightly acidic...
Notes on beers brewed by
Brouwerij Bavik
Petrus Blond
$3.49 for a 11.2 fl oz single from Smyrna Beverage, or around $12 for a four pack. 38616 dot-matrixed on the back of the label. This "Blonde" has an appearance that has a good head and some lace, but a rather unattractive Dubbel like experience (I hate that dirty, murky pond water look). Aroma is almost port like, but without a strong alcohol presence. Very nice. A little acidity in the initial taste, but then comes a small amount of sugary yeast. A little alcohol comes through in the finish....
Petrus Speciale
Overall a rather disappointing experience. Special? I don't think so. Belgian Dark? Not in my book. Poured into the Brasserie de l'Abbaye des Rocs chalice I get a golden body with thin, watery lacing. That's fitting because the whole experience is somewhat thin and watery. Lack of body, taste and alcohol makes for a letdown. Dry bitters in the taste and the finish, a metallic twang and little less apart from some citrus (mainly lemon) notes. It lacks a lot of the sweet and spice notes and the...
Petrus Aged Pale
Well, for all intents and purposes this is a sour beer (flanders red or something similar) and to call it a Belgian Strong Pale is very misleading, even to an experienced drinker. High, fizzy carbonation on the pour, but the head is gone as quick as a soda. Golden body. Smell is all funky, cider notes with some earthy notes too. Taste is sour, with an emphasis on vinegar. Not my cup of tea, and to be honest I am a bit miffed at this being labeled the way it is - this is a Belgian Sour, not...
Wittekerke
Not bad. Pretty standard appearance for a decent Wit, with the anticipated lemon, cloudy hue and a large billowing, white head. Looks good, although the lacing and the head retention are not up to much. I didn't get the large citrus nose that some others have noted, in fact, the whole aroma and taste experience was rather subdued. Not the most potent Wit in a style that is seldom very gregarious. Good mouthfeel, and drinkability. Decent player in a pinch, but there are lots of better examples....
Petrus Gouden Tripel
Striking color, absolutely golden with a decent head and some lacing. Quite dry, with a little prickly carbonation in the mouthfeel. Definite spicy character with some fruit, but it was difficult to pin down the exact fruits and spices that were in play. Dry in the finish and somewhat uninspiring for a Tripel. Worth a try if you like a more subdued Belgian but a little disappointing if you're looking for a bigger beer.
Petrus Oud Bruin
Orange/brown pour with some good carbonation. Lacing is slight but present. Very distinct and definite apple/cider sourness, reminiscent of the Lambic or Saison styles. This was somewhat surprising to me, because I'm not familiar with the Flanders Oud Bruin style. Slight smokiness in the initial taste and very light in the mouth. I would imagine that the lightness might sit uncomfortabley with some, especially those people who were expecting a more robust brown ale type beer. Drinkable and...