Gluepot (959) reviewed Zoot from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 7 months ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 16
A big, well laced white head over an amber body. Aroma packs a punch with zesty fruit and yeast esters. This Tripel has the balance and complexity I was looking for. Brown sugar, understated Belgian yeast, plums, apples and prunes are all there over sweet malt. Slightly sticky and very smooth, lightened by a healthy acidity.
Appearance - 5 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 18
A solid, well laced off-white head on a dark mahogany body. The nose is compelling, featuring bourbon, oak, vanilla and malt. The barrel-aging is the lead feature in this version the Grande Armada. It works, though. The bourbon and vanilla from the nose are front and centre in the taste profile, underpinned by oak, a slightly sour dark berry mash, cherries, leather, roasted malt and apricots. It is difficult to gage the hop presence through the strong competing tastes, but it is there to some extent - certainly not hoppy to the level of the classic 2011 version of this brew. Less sweet than several recent Grande Armada editions with a mid-range density and smooth, rich mouth feel. Some challenging elements but they sustain in a nice balance. Should age well.
Earlier Rating: 10/1/2015 Total Score: 4.5
A triumph in American strong ale brewing. The bourbon, vanilla, dark fruit and earthy hops work beautifully with a strong malt base featuring caramel and some roasted nuts. All in impeccable balance, especially after aging in the bottle for a year after the 6-month barrel aging.
Earlier Rating: 10/1/2015 Total Score: 3.1
A real disappointment after the triumph of the first Grande Armada offering. Plain and simply too sweet and lacking in challenging undertastes. Cloying and one dimensional.
Gluepot (959) reviewed Ergot from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 7 months ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 17
Well laced white head on an amber body. Nose is fresh and edgy, with mixed fruit, banana, other fruit esters and sweet malt. Impressive freshness and definition to tastes. Fruit salad, Belgian yeast with banana accents, a light array of spice and touches of booze and floral hops. Nice
Gluepot (959) reviewed Acronyme from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 7 months ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 16
A full, well laced white head on a pale, clear light straw body. Nose features spices, Belgian yeast and hint of citrus. This is a robust saison with seasonal spices, a touch of citrus hops, garden herbs and a hint of banana. Crisp and lively with distinct but complementary tastes, punched up by an active effervescence.
Gluepot (959) reviewed Topaz from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 7 months ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 15
On tap at the Montreal brew pub location. A solid, pillowy and well-laced white head on a straw body. Evident effervescence. The nose is subtle and understated with light citrus hop notes and sweet malt. In an age of back slappin' monster IPAs, this is a enjoyable, well blended and subtle piece of craft. Iight citrus hop elements lead a delicate hop-first taste profile with lemon, orange and floral notes. The malt is sweet and light. Sustains in balance.
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 17
On tap at Les Brasseurs du Temps. Earthy hops, brown sugar and apricot make for a pleasing aroma. A deep butterscotch colour with a thin soft white. Earth and citrus hops, rich butterscotch, apricot, and prunes make a well blended BW. Rich, slick, with a slight warmth to it. I'm buyin' what they're sellin'.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5
Cloudy yellow pour, with a large frothy white head. Light cereals, medium bitter, bready, light lemon, minerals.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7
473ml can. Opaque orange, medium white head. Intense orange zest, and stone fruit nose. Light mouth feel, soft carb. Pithy, medium bitterness, orange zest, orange juice, light mango.
Robinvboyer (8065) reviewed Calico from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 1 year ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
Hazy copper, medium off white head. Very grassy, sweet cereals.. Quite bitter for the style, but decent.
Robinvboyer (8065) reviewed Sān Lúpulo from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 1 year ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Cask days 2014, labeled as Du Canal San Lupulo.
Hazy orange, slightly off white head. Slight tangy hops, with notes of candied citrus zest. Medium to light bitter finish, with some light malts and pine.