93 Zoetzuur Flemish Ale, Andelot Proefbrouwerij (Belgium). 7% ABV (5/06)
Dark golden amber color with a high white head. Winey, mature cheese, barnyard and sour wild yeast aromas. A round entry leads to tart and slightly sour medium-bodied palate with dried apple, mild tarragon, medicinal bark and herbs and lemon flavors. Finishes with a long, dry, spicy, cider-like fade. This has a great interplay of sweet, sour and herbs and will go brilliant with robust cheeses. A very sophisticated beer for those looking for something really different.
93 Bon Secours Raspberry, Brasserie Caulier (Belgium). 7% ABV (5/07)
Hazy copper color. Raspberry tart and buttered nut aromas. A round, soft entry leads to a dry, tangy medium-full body of crushed raspberries and sourdough bread flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy, raspberry pulp fade. Vibrant, balanced acidity and dry fruit flavors are the calling cards of this seamless integration of fruit and beer. Try with salads.
93 Anniversary 17, Unibroue (Canada). 10% ABV (5/08)
Deep, lightly hazy copper color. Spumoni ice cream, charred pecan, gum and slight rubber glue aromas. A rich, supple entry leads to a fruity sweet medium-full body of brown sugar, sweet cherry, tomato paste and spice flavors. Finishes with a long, creamy nougat, peppery spice and dried fruit fade. A big, brawny dessert beer.
90 Malheur Bière Brut Reserve, De Landtsheer (Belgium). 11% ABV (5/07)
Slightly hazy golden color. Spicy candied ginger and baked golden raisin compote aromas. A supple entry leads to fruity, off dry full body of candied stone fruits, ginger, bread dough and spices. Finishes with a tangy, sweet orange marmalade, rye toast and pecan fade and a nice touch of mineral-accented hops. A big, sweet malty beer with a lingering toasty finish.
89 Juliet, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 6.7% ABV (5/08)
Deep amber red color. Spicy blackberry-cherry butter on sourdough, bourbon barrel and honey aromas. A bold, sour entry leads to a tart, yeasty and fruity medium-full body of sour cherry skin, yeast dough and cherry cider vinegar flavors. Finishes with crisp blackberry and citrus skin fade. A brilliant and rosé-like oak-aged beer that screams for food: duck or sausages.
88 Bokbier, Jopen (Holland). 6.5% ABV (5/08)
Deep amber copper color with a taupe blanket of mousse. Smoked almond, peach skin, cocoa powdered and orange blossom honey aromas. A lively, silky entry leads to a fruity, medium body peach-pear cider and creamy almond custard flavors. Finishes with bubblegum and praline fade. A fun, refreshing beer.
85 Bon Secours Blueberry, Brasserie Caulier (Belgium). 7% ABV (5/07)
Deep reddish copper color. Potpourri and perfumed blueberry aromas jump from the glass. A buoyant entry leads to a tangy medium-full body of blueberry, sour cherry, strawberry and citrus marmalade flavors. Finishes with a long, tart blueberry and wheat toast fade.
84 Belgian Dubbel, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.85% ABV (5/06) %{Brewpub}
Copper mahogany color. Faint sweet toffee, nut and treacle aromas. A round, slight flat entry leads to a dryish medium-bodied palate with tangy sweet orange peel and rind and faintly nutty caramelized malt flavors. Finishes with a quick watery fade of rind and nuts.
83 Belgian Double IPA, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.85% ABV (5/06) %{Brewpub}
Hazy deep amber color. Dried fruit and toasty malt aromas have a soapy edge. A round fruity entry leads to a smooth medium-bodied caramelized malt palate with toffee, toasted oily nuts, raisin, dried lemon peels and cinnamon sticks. Finishes very dryly with a slightly charred wood/stem note, soap, toffee and dried stone fruits. Curious.
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