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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Continental Ales

Exploring a Rich Foamscape of Ales

Belgian Style Golden Ale

Belgian golden ales are pale to golden in color with a lightish body for their deceptive alcoholic punch, as much as 9 percent alcohol by volume. The benchmark example, Duvel (Devil) from Belgium, is quite heavily hopped to give a floral nose and a tangy, fruity finish. Typically, such brews undergo three fermentations, the final one being in the bottle, resulting in fine champagne-like carbonation, and a huge rocky white head when they are poured. Often such beers can be cellared for six months to a year to gain roundness. These beers are probably best served chilled to minimize the alcoholic mouthfeel.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

96 La Fin du Monde, Unibroue (Canada). 9% ABV (5/10)
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Lemon curd, coriander, cinnamon and candied apricot follow through on a rich entry to a fruity full body with excellent depth and balanced vibrancy. Finishes with very long, sautéed vegetable, candied ginger and earthy hops. Superbly powerful and spicy.

92 Demolition, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 7.2% ABV (5/10)
Golden amber. Aromas of sour lemon and dried apple, bread crust and dried flower-like hops follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great depth and vibrant, figgy dried fruit notes. Finishes with long, subtle spice, toasted grain, root vegetable, mint and earth nuances. Complex and inviting.

83 Azreal, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. (VA). 8% ABV (5/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Toasty egg and ham muffin sandwich and spicy ginger aromas have a fruity edge and follow through on a supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with citrus, custard and faint phenolic notes. Finishes with a tart, chewy malt and lemon pepper fade.

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