Alvinne Eycken Balthazar

Brewed by Picobrouwerij Alvinne
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Heule, Belgium

On tap. Pours a hazy brown with no head. Nose is dry wood, some lactic sourness. Flavor is roast forward with subtle but pleasing sour tartness. Some nuttiness, raisin and fig. Loads of fresh dry wood. Finishes dry. Body is slightly thin.

Botella. Hazy mahogny colour. Spiced sweet caramel malty aroma. Sweet caramel tart malty flavour.

(bottle from beastiefan2k) Pours muddy light brown with a lingering medium white head that leaves good lacing on the glass. Huge aroma of oak, funk, wine, cinnamon, coriander, and some cardamom as well. Taste is begins with some malty sweetness, but it quickly switches to a mid and finish of dry tannic red wine, oak, and a light sourness. This is just awesome. Thanks Eugene!

Wow. Ginger and corriander explode on the sour nose. Funky oak abounds. Brown with massive brown head. This is fantastic. A sour body where the ginger dominates.

Opened several bottles, they all responded like fountains. The beers of the different bottles were very different in flavor. From acidc like a geuze, or like vinegar to sweet and spicy. So not a well balanced result in the bottle at all. In this beer clearly you can experience the lagering on the oak. The result is not yet perfect. In the after taste of the best bottle you could clearly taste cardemom, sweetness and light bitters.

Small light brown creamy head, diminishing. Deep brown hazy body. Aroma of cinnamon, ginger, herbs, oak barrels, calvados, dried fruits, fruity. Full bodied, slick texture. Heavy sweet, light bitter and light acid finish. Heavy spices - maybe to heavy?

750 mL bottle at the Relentless Thirst Gathering in Richmond, VA, 8.29.09. Pours a murky brown color with a medium head. Good head retention and lacing. Aroma is spicy pepper, other spices, tart funky notes and cherries. Taste is tart funk, berries, cherries and an earthy spiciness. Medium-full bodied.

Botttle @ Danish Summer Gathering, 2009. Pours unclear reddish/amber with a small creamy white head. Nose is sweet and spicy. Heavy cardemum, caramel and cinnamon. Warmth from alcohol. Quite one dimensional.