Achel 5 Amber

Brewed by Brouwerij der Trappistenabdij De Achelse Kluis
Style: Belgian Ale
Hamont-Achel, Belgium

(On tap) Deep orangey brown, filtered with a small, creamy head. Light caramel-like notes and a marked yet discreet hoppiness. Again a very quaffable and quenching light trappist. 110505

From tap at the monastery. Pours almost clear and golden deep amber with a diminished off-white head. Roasted malty aroma. Light spiced. Flavour is mild fruity and with a light roasted caramel malt base. Light bitternes and spiced into the finish. Smooth and medium dry with a light bitternes. Light yeasty fruity in the far finish.

Draught @ the monastary
Clear dark red brown color with a large, frothy - creamy, good lacing, fully lasting, off-white head. Aroma is light to moderate malty, brown sugar, roasted notes, black berry, light to moderate yeasty, spicy, light notes of coriander and pepper. Flavor is moderate sweet and bitter with a long to average duration. Body is medium, texture is oily to watery, carbonation is soft. [20081026]

Draught at the monastery’s cafeteria. Hazy dark brown colour. Very small light brown head. OK roasted flavour, quite mild. Slightly citric finish, probably from the grain.

Draught Small, but stable beige head, leaving some lace. Darker amber than this is usually known as black. Fresh, light hops nose. Once again, a vegetable bit - like the Buxus in the blonde, but less obvious than in that one. Some dry malt and hopstaste as the blonde, but the real dark malts enhance the bitterness just that little bit to give it a real malt character without excess sweet. Dry, even dry-out effect. Another very well-balanced beer, good and reviving.

On tap at the monastry. Aroma of uncooked hops and yoghurt. Light brown color, beige head, good lace. Bitter, roasted malts, carboard, nasty bitter finish. Strange brew. What hops did they use? Didn’t like it at all.

(Draught@Achel) Opaque dark brown with a smallish, lasting and lacy head. Mild, caramely-malty aroma. Flavor of caramely malt, some dried fruit, hint of licorice and coriander spiciness. Almost medium body, soft carbonation. Very clean and quite good for the ABV, but maybe it wouldn’t be a huge commercial success.

(Draught at the monastery) Sold as Bruin. On March 22, 2008. Shady reddish to dark brown color, tan head. Fresh hoppy and grainy scent, a bit acidic taste, roasted and bitter aftertaste. A bit spritzy mouthfeel. Rather high bitterness.