Brouwerij De Brabandere 1894 Oak & Hops Belgian Strong Pale Ale at 8% ABV (C$15.34 at NLC Stavanger, 750 ml, best before 23-Nov-2018, acquired 11-May-2018, reviewed 12-Jun-2018)
Appearance: hazy deep gold with two fingers of loose white head diminishing gradually to thick cap, minimal stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, oak, stone fruit, apples & pears, floral, leather, caramel, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, high carbonation, medium duration off-dry mildly warming finish. (4/5)
The usual suspects don’t seem to be able to agree regarding this thing’s classification, but in my opinion it’s more a BSPA than anything else. Complex aroma with lots of fruit, wood, and mild hops, while the flavour is composed of a restrained sweetness and moderate bitter balanced out by a pleasant wild tartness. Interesting that despite its high, nearly champagne-like carbonation and easy head development, it didn’t threaten to foam up and out of the bottle upon uncorking. Quite well-behaved overall. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
