Bavik Pilaarbijter Blond

Brewed by Bavik-De Brabandere
Style: Abbey Tripel
Harelbeke, Belgium

Clear golden colored brew. Yeasty, malty aroma. Sweet, malty, some yeast, grainy, overall too sweet and it had an unpleasant flavor over it.

Pours a odd very hazy copperish very light brown with a very large loose head that fades into a medium tight head rather quickly. I like the aroma, tart with plenty of green apple and some yeast, it’s weird but it works. The flavor is also different, a bit too sweet but plenty fruity, with some alcohol, some tartness and some spiciness. This is worth trying, as it is a bit of a departure from the normal abbey tripel, but it could be a bit drier that’s for sure.

I’m rating this under the Abbey Tripel entry for the Pilaarbijter despite the label from my sample being dark (see Bruin) than light - my sample’s label had "tripel" printed on it. This brew was a sticky gusher with a very dark body and of course wonderful head. A nice, fruity, and welcome acidity does well with its sugary sweetness. It was pretty tame, but I enjoyed it.

Appearance: Pours out a lightly hazy, light copper body with a smallish, white head, though it does have some nice staying power. Smell: Lightly honeyish pilsner malts with fruity notes of peaches and pears and a minor hints of alcohol and spice. Taste: Relatively light, delicate maltiness with touches of grainy pilsner malts. Some candi sugar sweetness, some countering spices. Thin drizzle of sour fruit juices. Soft floral quality with a very light bitterness. A tad boozier than one would expect from the ABV%. Finishes dry, spritzy, and with a lingering taste of those sourish juices. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation. Drinkability: So-so. Sort of a mellower, lighter tripel, which, for me, makes it a bit forgettable.

Date: May 23, 2009
Mode: Bottle
Source: Ticker Tasting
Appearance: hazy yellow, fine white head, drippy lace
Aroma: sweet and spicy aroma, candy sweetness balanced with lots of spicyness
Flavor: sweet candy malt flavor, plenty of spicyness adds a drying effect, light resulting bitterness
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Hazy gold with an inch-thick white head. Spicy Belgian yeast nose full of sweet citrus fruits. Flavor is light and fruity, very tangy. Pears and apricots. Dry finish. Nice.

Bottle at home.Pours pale orange, hazy with a big frothy white head.Aroma consist of fruity yeast, some light spices as well.Fizzy fresh mouthfeel, taste is complex, light peppers, reminds me of champagne. Dry aftertaste.

Bottle. Pale cloudy golden colour, with a good head and great lace. Smells of coriander, citrus and pepper oily, vanilla, maybe? Silky palate, sour and sweet flavors are in a constant battle, I’d say sour wins. Palate of tropical fruits, papaya and or mango maybe, banana, cloves... I refuse to keep looking for flavors and going to simply enjoy this great beer.