96 La Fin du Monde, Unibroue (Canada). 9% ABV (5/11)
Lightly hazy golden color. Creamy custard tart, apricot soufflé, lemongrass and clove aromas with a round, frothy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a gentle, dried stone fruit, nut and honeyed grain finish. Delicious.
94 Omer Traditional Blonde, Brouwerij Bockor (Belgium). 8% ABV (5/11)
Clear, bright golden color. Intriguingly exotic aroma of dried mango, papaya custard pastry and spicy apple sauce with a frothy, fruity medium-to-full body and a long juicy pear cider, lychee, yellow beet, delicate spice, pepper and wheat grass-like finish. Very tasty, satisfying and food-friendly.
93 Urthel Hop It, Brouwerij de Leyerth (Belgium). 9.5% ABV (5/11)
Bright clear, golden color. Aromas of spicy poached apple, citrus hops and mint jelly on brioche with a round, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a beautifully integrated cream caramel, peppercorn and leafy green hop finish. A sensationally hoppy sipping beer that will also pair brilliantly with food.
89 Urthel Saisonniére, Brovwerij de Leyerth (Belgium). 6% ABV (5/10)
Deep golden color. Aromas of toasted baguette, sautéed vegetable, crystallized ginger, earthy hop and delicate baking spice aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with very good depth and a tart, citrus pudding and bitter melon-like hop finish with lingering astringency. A well-hopped version of saison.
89 Belgoo Luppo, Belgoobeer (Belgium). 6.5% ABV (5/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of toasted sourdough egg sandwich, lemon marmalade and faint champagne vinegar follow through on a silky, zesty entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a nice interplay of fresh yeast dough, white nut and sour citrus. Finishes with long, sweet citrus, mineral and earthy hop accents. A very nice food beer.
89 Bionda, La Fabbrica Della Birra Tenute Collesi (Italy). 6% ABV (1/11)
Murky yellow mocha color. Compacted aromas of pastry dough, white chocolate and toasted macadamia nuts with a smooth, pillowy medium-to-full body and a crisp sweetcitrus, and grassy herbal hop finish. A very appealing food beer reminiscent of a wheat ale.
88 Pin Up Blonde, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.75% ABV (5/10) %{Brewpub}
Deep murky amber color. Aromas of apricot butter on sourdough toast and praline follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with very good smoothness and vibrancy. Finishes with long, zesty citrus, grassy hop and delicate root vegetable accents.
88 Gnomegang Collaboration Ale, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 9.5% ABV (5/11)
Hazy golden amber color. Slightly musty, yeasty aromas of nuts, candied yams, sourdough and damp linens with a supple, frothy dry-yet-fruit medium-full body and a tangy, honeyed kiwi, root vegetable and white pepper snap on the finish. An interesting, rustic farmhouse style ale that will be good with funky cheeses.
86 Quatre-Centième, Unibroue (Canada). 7.5% ABV (5/11)
Bright golden yellow color with a slight haze and fine blanket of foam. Aromas of crusty pineapple and apple turnovers, coriander, sweet mint tea and delicate baking spice with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and an apple mint jelly on soda bread, turnip and grassy leafy hop finish.
85 Five Apostles, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. (VA). 6.1% ABV (5/10)
Pale golden amber color. Aromas of tomato omelet, spicy carrot cake and baklava follow through on a round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good depth and a tangy, slightly short and spicy, honeyed citrus, talc and root vegetable finish.
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