Boelens Bieken

33cl bottle served in a Duvel tulip. "Houdbaar tot eind 2006". Bottle is at least a couple years old, maybe older? Aroma is light fruits, floral, bready, black pepper, with a hint of fig. Murky orange color with lots of floaties and a smallish head. The initial taste is fruity, almost Champagne-like, followed by floury yeast, black/white pepper, and honey. There is a slight harshness to the beer stemming from the alcohol or phenols that is a little distracting. This example seems to be decline.

On draft at the Brewery. Blond beer with a white head. Malty and yeasty aroma. Sweet taste with notes of honey. A bit yeasty. Rather empty

8/21/2008: Bieken pours like Brut champage and it smells a bit like it too. The pour results mostly in stiff white foam that gradually subsides to reveal a golden liquid and puffy lacing. The aroma is dry and lightly fruity. It also contains a fair amount of yeastiness and a delicate honey sweetness. The flavor begins light and delicate with a clover honey sweetness and floral-infused spiciness followed by a strong alcohol flavor followed by a bit more honey. This beer is a lot like a semi-sweet mead. The flavors and strength are balanced in this medium-light beer. It has a soft mouthfeel and I bet the alcohol will sneal up quickly!

750ml/1 Pt. 9.4 fl.oz. bottle (Alc. 8.5% by Vol.) from The Party Source in Bellevue, Kentucky. Rating #141 for this beer...

Pours a murky yellow... not the best look in a beer. the head is nicely formed, but then goes away quickly. aroma is spicy and sweet... you can really get the honey in the aroma. Also a fair amount of mint aroma. Flavor is peppery with a sweetness that is fairly well balanced. There is some mint to the flavor as well. Nice beer... very different than most anything else out there.

33cl, from De Hopduvel Gent, complex, balanced honey ale, cloudy, good head, good brew