De Koninck

Brewed by Brouwerij De Koninck
Style: Belgian Ale
Antwerpen, Belgium

33cl bottle, as pictured. Pours a clear deep amber with a small off-white head. Little lacing. Aroma of toasted malt, cherries and wood. Light-bodied and fizzy for a Belgian ale. Grainy, earthy mouth feel, active carbonation. Taste of roasted malt, again cherries, resin and a wee bit of citrus. Medium-bitter middle, mildly sour-bitter finish, no lingering after taste. This is strictly a by-the-numbers red ale. Have yet to taste a red one (from Belgium OR Scotland OR Ireland) that has truly unique characteristics, or stands out in any way. Nothing special, won’t order again. Then, not nasty either. Just boring.

Nice head of deep amber. Very deep malty aroma and taste: bready and toasty. Not as defined as others in the style that I’ve had. Still enjoyable.

Serving date: 2009-01-30. Served in tulip. Presentation: 330 ml bottle with freshness date on the label (Best before 2009-08-03. Actually no other information of any interest on the bottle. Very clear amber/dark copper color with very lively initial carbonation. The two finger off-white head is very sparkly and rocky but dissipates a bit too quickly, leaving small lacings. Fruity aromas - mostly banana - and sweat malts, some yeast as well as faint notes of some sourness. The smell of this one is ok, but a little to anonymous and withdrawn. The taste has more fruit up front, coupled with faint flavors of citrus fruits and cinnamon. Some yeast and sweet malts are there as well. It’s a bit sour in the middle. Some flavors in this one is presented in a rather sharp fashion, which is very pleasant. The finish has a slight bitterness to it, with notes of spices and more juicy malt. Light body. The carbonation in this beer puzzles me a bit: At first, the carbonation is generous, almost too generous since it almost overpowers the different flavors. However, the carbonation decreases rather quickly, and for a while the mouthfeel becomes very pleasant with a great mix of gentle bubbles and nice fruity and spicy flavors. At this state, the beer was at its most enjoyable condition. But towards the end, carbonation is almost completely gone leaving the beer a bit bland (worth mentioning here is also that I finished the beer in about 30 - 40 minutes). This is an ok beer, and it drinks quite easily. It taste quite nice as well, but I can’t help feeling that it falls somewhat short. But bluntly, it’s a bit flat. However, considering the low ABV and it’s decent overall character, I could see myself having it again. But I recommend serving this one in a glass with a more narrow body than a Duvel-sized tulip, considering the successive loss of carbonation. Serving type: bottle (Copy of old Beer Advocate review)

bottle. Poured dark red-copper colour with almost no head. Sweet berry malt aroma. Average carbonation, medium body. Flavour is lightly spicy with honey sweetness and a touch of yeast. Finishes slightly dry.

Botle 10 C, 2009-09-16 AR: yeast, honey sweetness AP: colour - amber body, fully diminishing head F: yeast, honey sweetness, fudge, x-mass marshmallow, a bit over yeasty like a trappist but not that body etc. A bit tame and boring unfortunatly! AF: some of above

Bottle from Rodman’s. Pours a light to medium brown with a thin white head that dissipates quickly and leaves no lacing. Malty aroma with some dried fruit and faint grapefruit hoppiness. Very thin mouthfeel, watery up front and a malty finish. Average. My drinking buddy said, "I’m surprised a Belgian brewery gets away with putting this out there." Not enough hops to be really called a pale ale, and not enough flavor to be really called good.

Pours an extremely clear copper with thin off white head. Nose is red apple peels, candi sugar. Taste is mostly just a moderately sweeet malt base, kind of sugary, fair amount of floral hops. Slight spice from the hops, but mostly a big floral flavor with slight bitterness.

Pours a clear brown with a small beige head that quickly collapses. Aroma is of pilsener malts and just a touch of hops. Flavor is of nutty malts, chestnut, a touch of chocolate. Light, but pleasant. Much like an average American brown ale. Smooth finish, medium mouthfeel. Not great, but decent. Overall, good.