Achel 8 Blond

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

A Mes rate: Bottle from Lowlander. Excellent looks. Cloudy light amber with a superb white head. Spicy Belgian blonde elsewhere let down for me by some ice tea notes sadly. Very sweet, a little too much to be honest. Almost tart and very yeasty. Just sickly sweet. Too much for me. Prickly in the palate. Possibly my least favourite trappist.

Bottle. 33cl @ YNWA. Pours a muddy deep orange with a giant and very creamy white head. It stays throughout the drinking experience and mostly looks like whipped cream. There is a lot of particles in the liquid. Aroma is initially sweet, but has a fruity tartness to it. Very full and creamy mouthfeel. Flavour has oranges, peaches, lots of spices - coriander and pepper. Lightly vinious, so it warms me when drinking.

Complex aroma - orange, peach, hops. Color of nectarine, with an impressive mountainous craggy khaki head. Tastes of peach, hops, pepper, yeast. Lovely. You would think more beers could taste like this, but this stands apart.

MASSIVE head, probably my fault, golden and cloudy, carbonated and fruity, quite dry, hint of hops. Quite an alcoholic flavour but enjoyable

Bottled. Massive head that nearly overflows my Trappist glass, had to wait for it to dissipate before drinking. Nice! Lots of pear in the aroma, citrus notes along with Belgian yeast. Flavor maintains the pear nose, complimented by orange peel, spices, coriander and more yeast tones towards the end. Pretty good mouthfeel, quite creamy. A good Trappist ale.

Bottle. Pours a hazy orange/golden colour with a nice firm mostly lasting creamy white head. Nice strong aroma of toasted malt, dark fruits, yeast and caramel. Good well filling mouthfeel. The flavour is quite malty with a good frutiness, some spices, yeast, good hoppiness and caramel. Good long lasting toasty and fruity yeasty finish.

A very clear light orange blond to brown with an average white head thinning to literally nothing rapidly. The nose is more promising. Light, fruity, and floral. Lots of esters. A bit of spice. Cinnamon, coriander. A little apply yeast. The mouthfeel is surprisingly full and creamy for a beer of such clarity. Low carbonation too, but still achieves fullness. Big apple tartness in the flavor. Creamy with some hints of diacetyl. Gets better with each sip! Creamy spiciness comes together with a light sweetness and alcohol to make this rather enjoyable. The finish comes in relatively clean and dry with an almost cream soda like quality to it. this beer surprised me with it’s complexity.

Bottle. Pours a clear golden with a very large rocky white head that is coming out of the glass and leaves good lacing. Aroma of yeast, candied citrus, and floral/spicy hops. Taste is spicy yeast, light citrus, light bread notes, and spicy hops. Medium mouthfeel that finishes dry with a soft alcohol warmth at the end. A very interesting and delicious Trappist Ale.