Belhaven Blueberry (Bottle)

Brewed by Belhaven (Greene King)
Style: Bitter
Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland

A golden ale with a thin white head. Strong blueberry aroma as bottle is opened, with a malty backbone and light metallic notes. In mouth, a light sweet malt with light blueberry juice, lighter bodied blueberry jucie. Light bodied. Tasted late Dec. 2006.

Bottle (500ml). Poured very pale yellow with a huge lasting white foamy head. The aroma is a huge hit of sharp black peppery yeast, with fresh blueberries in behind - perhaps my pour was a tad vigorous? Taste is initially of wet newspaper, seguing slowly to very pleasant fresh slightly tart blueberry. Mouthfeel is a little watery and slick, with initial pungent yeast bitterness tapering off quickly to a light, somewhat grainy fruit finish. Without that pepperiness this would be very nice.

Aroma consisted of forest wild blueberry, darker and pale malt. Pale gold with fine white top. Font impression of bitter, metallic carbonation followed with sweet blueberry notes. Body felt thin and so did this beer was somewhat shallow. There is also woody British hop character that combined with what I noted above gave this beer rather poor impression.

Yellow body, with a small white head. Big blueberry aroma, muted "beer" deep below. Moderate blueberry flavour is a bit artificial tasting but sort of pleasant nonetheless. Average palate. Meh. Thanks for the bottle Rich!

Bottle. Pours a clear bubbly yellow with an average size foamy white head. Aroma is yeasty along with blueberries, U.K. hops, some grain, spices and sugar -- I felt it smelled a little artificial and that turned me off slightly. Flavour’s much better in my opinion, tastes like a crisp and clean Pilsener with fresh blueberries -- just as it’s described. Decent body, it’s a little light but you expect that for this kind of beer. Not bad at all for a summer patio beer or as a thirst quencher after mowing the lawn.

Candied fruit nose, some malt, light amber, small quickly disappearing white head. Stale malt taste, and bad quality fruit candy. Sweet and grainy. Are You f...ing kidding me?! This brewery makes some good beer and this is shite the LCBO pawn off on us?

Bottle, LCBO Summer Release (made for the Ontario market I believe). Light yellow, frothy white head. Pleasant sharp blueberry aroma. Some hops present and almost a pepper like quality - I liked it. Taste isn’t too bad! Surprised at the pils style of the base beer (was expecting a more heart ale from Belhaven) - but served nice and cold this works. Pleasant soft blueberries (no artificial notes) and also lots of lemon and grapefruit. As it warms, it isn’t near as enjoyable, but again, serve it frosty cold and what you have is a decent fruit beer that aims to quench.

Bottle. I’m a sucker for blueberries, so while I don’t usually dig these light fruit beers, I was looking forward to trying this one. Pours a very light golden-yellow, which surprised me as I expected an amber colour similar to their regular fruit beer, but then I read the note on the back about the base beer being a "Pilsner style" and it made more sense. Nose is mainly blueberry, quite fresh, with a very subtle grassiness in the background. Body is a bit thin, but crisp and suitable for the flavour, which is mild and refreshing, with the expected blueberry notes and, well, not a lot else. I would’ve liked a bit more character in the base beer, but it works nicely as a simple warm weather refresher.