The Bruery - Mischief

Serving Type: 750ml bottle, poured into a 25cl glass


This Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale from The Bruery pours a hazy glowing orange body, very light in appearance. Light floating yeast sediment is bumped about by continually rising streams of carbonation. The airy white foam head musters excellent retention and leaves large chunky swathes of lace on the glass as it fades. The nose is sweet and very spicy. Sweet and tart grape-like notes contrast the cellary and dusty aromas.

The mouthfeel is light and airy with crisp, playful carbonation that leaves the beer almost evaporating on the tongue. Despite the robust nose, the flavor is very mild overall. Light malts are golden with a dusting of dry hops. A mild spritz of citrus refreshes the palate. The finish is tingling, yet dry and almost incidental seeming. A mild chest heat finishes off the beer. Despite the bold flavor profile the beer is mild and almost reserved.


Final Verdict: A-

Brasserie Dubuisson Frères - Bush Ambrée (Scaldis)

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 250 mL bottle, poured into a snifter

This Belgian Strong Pale Ale from Dubuisson comes in a diminutive bottle, with flavors to contrast its size. The beer pours an orange body with a slight brown tint and a fine suspension of yeast particulate. The thin white head provides a great contrast in color. The retention is modest, but expected for the ABV of the beer and produces very light wisps of lace. A very winey nose differentiates this beer from other Strong Pales. Sweet malts and piles of apricots contrast the slight woodiness of the aroma. The beer is clearly strong and carries light hints of banana.

The beer is strong and sweet, it calms down on the sweetness a bit as the beer warms. The heat from the alcohol develops with the warmth, but with seemingly less fusel alcohol the brew seems to mellow nicely. Light figs and candied fruits lend a sugariness that is never syrupy, thanks to a solid, velvety carbonation. The finish is strong with a light alcoholic edge and vague chest warming. Residual sugars rest on the palate after the finish.

Final Verdict: A-

Birrifico le Baladin - Super Baladin Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 8.45 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

This interesting Italian take on a Belgian strong ale comes in an uniquely-shaped and disappointingly-small 8.45 oz. bottle. The beer pours a fuzzy amber cider with a fine yeast suspension and gently rising carbonation. The head is a fluffy light tan made of fine carbonation bubbles. The retention is solid for the original size, but leaves very little lacing behind. The nose is slightly spicy with a huge white grape juice component. Light candied fruit notes show the beer's significant Belgian influences.

The beer is lightly earthy with a gritty grain texture. It's very sweet up front with apricots and dried fruit essence. The beer is fairly complex and spicy with just a hint of alcohol. The finish is slightly thin, but it delivers a lasting bouquet of mild citrus notes and a considerable winey character. Expensive for sure, but worth a try for this rare import.

Final Verdict: B+

Brouwerij Huyghe - Delirium Tremens

Purchased From: Beltway Fine Wine
Serving Type: 11.2 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

This Belgian Strong Pale Ale is named after the condition called delirium tremens, a condition resulting from the withdrawal from alcohol use. The beer pours a moderate sparkling gold with a haze of floating yeast. There's a ton of rapidly rising carbonation, constantly refreshing the large, fluffy white head, which is slow to fade. The beer has a strong effervescence, but leaves relatively little lacing.

The nose has huge green grape notes that are clean and fresh. A bright apple juice character is backed up by a moderate spiciness of coriander and hint of citrus. The citrus rind shows up strong up front while the foamy head adds some extra body to the beer's crisp mouthfeel. There's a very mild tinge of alcohol near the finish that adds a bit more edge to the herbal spiciness of the beer. A bit of honey sweetness develops and lingers through the dry, persisting, finish.

Final Verdict: A-

Brooklyn Brewery - Brooklyn Local 1

Brooklyn Brewery - Brooklyn Local 1

Purchased From: Copaco Liquors & Fine Wine

Serving Type: 750 mL bottle with cork & cage, poured into a snifter

I reviewed the collaboration between Brooklyn Brewery and G. Schneider & Sohn, but this is the first review of a beer directly from Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Local 1 is the brewery’s interpretation of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale, and it’s great.

The hazy pale gold body has a subdued reg blow with a large frothy while head and excellent retention. The lacing on this one is great as well. The nose is characterized by bright fruits and a bit of yeast. A sweetness comes into play with delicate apricots and layers of spice.

The beer has a light and airy mouthfeel, but has a mild alcoholic tinge (9% ABV). The flavor is dense and fruity with peppery tones. Along with the pepper comes a light spicing of clove and bits of ginger. Also present are suggestions of vanilla. Crisp apples accompany a light Champagne-like character. This beer is delicious and saunters out with a dry bitter finish.

Final Verdict: A

ABV #1: De Dolle - Ara Bier

ABV #1: De Dolle - Ara Bier

This is the first in a new, less frequent, series at Musings on Beer. The series, Abbreviated Beer ‘view (or, ABV for short, heh) will feature beers that I have out at bars or in places not conducive to a full review.

This time I kept the bottle to photograph in good light, but in the future you might be stuck with a crappy cell phone picture. Maybe I should get a pocket camera with a flash.

De Dolle - Ara Bier

Enjoyed At: The Half Door in Hartford, CT

I ordered the Extra Stout by De Dolle, but they were out. I got this instead. No complaints here. A great example of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale.

It packs strong and sweet underlying malts balanced off by tons of spices. They’re noticeable on the nose and they define the flavor. Tons of coriander and clove among others. It’s highly carbonated with a light and airy mouthfeel. The beer is also very citrusy and has a dry and crisp finish.

Excellent.