Lubiere (24605) reviewed Dreadlux from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 18 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
A deep dark stout with a thin lacing moka head. More nuts than chocolate in aroma, with notes of burned grains. In mouth, a good chocolate malt with roasted nuts, coffee, sweet raisins, and some german or balkan styling, dryish . Medium bodied. On tap at the brewery, Nov. 3 2007.
Lubiere (24605) reviewed Ergot from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 18 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
An amber ale with a lacing thick white head. Sweet wheat and a light bubble gum in aroma, with spices and alcohol. In mouth, a ricjh spiced rye beer with lingering grains and light alcohol. Rye bread and pepper notes, with warming alcohol in final. Riche bodied. On tap at the brewery, Nov. 3 2007.
Clarkvv (16760) reviewed Ergot from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 18 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
Draught tulip at the brewery on 9/28/07
One-finger off-white head slowly fades to cover, leaving sloppy lacing. Brilliant orange-golden body has a slight chill haze.
Sweet doughy malts show traces of light caramel and sugary cookie dough, but are dried up by a moderate amount of citrus acidity, peppery phenols and light alcohol warmth. Grassy/leafy hops exude a fair amount of bitterness and plentiful aromatics, very much on par with Moinette Blonde. The yeast is Dupont, of course, and it’s clean and articulately represented. Some dry doughiness, acidity and light alcohol dull the aroma, over time, but it’s still very well-done.
Sweet and yet very dry on the end, though more on account of the malt breadiness and alcohol warmth than the actual attenuation. Not that it’s syrupy or overly-sweet, but it just seems a bit too much after having the elegant, mid-gravity saison clone before it. I honestly don’t notice the rye, though perhaps it accounts for some of the malt dryness/breadiness. Caramel, oranges and moderate hop bitterness collect on the finish, with spicy hop notes (or is that the rye?) and a supple body, thanks to the malting. Low carbonation and its draught nature is really the heart of the problem here, not any actual problems with brewing. With a beer of such strength, it’s almost mandatory that it has tight, natural carbonation to help smooth out the rough edges and control the sweetness. Very good, nonetheless.
Clarkvv (16760) reviewed Fractal from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 18 years ago
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Draught tulip at Benelux on 9/28/07
Well-conditioned and pretty much like Saison Dupont in appearance, save for this is on draught and obviously dosent have the head-staying power of a bottle conditioned bottle. Still, lots of white head, moderate lacing and strong retention. About as good as it’s going to get on draught.
Heavily peppered nose (white pepper) and moderate citrus (lemon and very mild grapefruit) parallel Dupont very well. Strong, satisfying aroma, with sweet cookie dough and honey malts to boost the strength. No alcohol or flaws. Very well-brewed and conditioned, leaving no dirty/bland yeastiness and a terrific hoppiness that dosent seem to deviate significantly from Dupont.
Somewhat sweet in flavor, maybe sweeter than Dupont, maybe not. Dupont varies from batch to batch, and though this may be a bit more sweet, overall, the draught carbonation (which is considerably looser than natural carbonation), does not have the tightness that helps dispel some of the sweetness, so it’s difficult to judge. Regardless, there’s a lovely acidity and mild phenol quality present, just as in the real thing. Honey and light dough mimic the malt structure perfectly, while the hops add a very enjoyable flavor, and mild bitterness. Despite the differences of having draught carbonation, I will say that this one has a leg up on Dupont in not being sterile filtered (before being bottle conditioned). The most authentic Dupont clone I’ve had to-date. The lower alcohol is great too!!
David was talking about how he found an excess of grapefruit acidity/flavor in it, but I’m not so sure that guy knows what he’s talkin about when it comes to saisons..... ;)
Lubiere (24605) reviewed Succube from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
A deep reddish brown bock with a thin lacing off white head. A light smokeuy sweet caramel malt in aroma, with light licorice notes. In mouth, the sweet malt mingles well with the peaty smokeyness. Not overly smoked , and rather good. Medium bodied. A nice surprise. On tap at BP on Dec. 23, 2006.
Lubiere (24605) reviewed Lager Rousse from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
A deep reddish amber lager with a thick lacing ligh moka head. Light caramel malt in aroma, very simple. The caramel comes out nicely in mouth, with light buttery notes, and an oily mouthfeel. A simple little Vienna, refreshing. On tap at BP on Dec. 23, 2006.
Lubiere (24605) reviewed La Marge from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5
A deep dark stout with a thin lacing moka head. A good bitter chocolate with roasted coffee beans, very nice. In mouth, a light stout with the typical roasted coffee, burned toast, bitter chocolate, a bit on the lighter side, without defaults. On tap at BP Aug. 12, 2006.
Lubiere (24605) reviewed ESB from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6.5
Red copper ale with a thin off white head. A sweet malt caramel aroma, with very faint hops. In mouth, a good caramel malt, biscuitty but with too little hops to my taste. Oily mouthfeel. Still a nice and light ESB. On tap at BP Aug. 12, 2006.
Lubiere (24605) reviewed American Lager from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5
Golden lager with a thick creamy white head. A nice Saaz hops in aroma, (Ben indicated they also use Tettnang also), crisp and classy. A fresh mashed malt in mouth, with crisp hops comming out well. A nice summer beer. On tap at BP Aug. 12, 2006.
Lubiere (24605) reviewed Psyclo from Benelux - Bières & Pubs 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Reddish amber ale with a thin white head. Nice hoppy malt, lightly fruity. In mouth, a fresh nice pale ale, sweet biscuitty malt and floral hops, quaffable and pleasant. Medium bodied.