De Ranke Guldenberg

Brewed by Brouwerij De Ranke
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Dottignies/Dottenijs, Belgium

Pours orange with a huge white head. Very yeasty and peppery nose. Strangely peaty, too, like a watered-down Islay Scotch; the peat calms down after a few minutes (I think it’s the hop aroma before it settles into a nice orange and earth smell). There’s sweetness in the background which manifests itself as a floral honey. The flavor is initially yeasty, but soon settles into a stale smokiness against a background of honey. The finish is lightly hoppy. The mouthfeel could stand to be thicker.

Bottle... Murky, orange ale with a mid-sized, frothy, white head. The fruity nose is of apricot and orange. Sweet, malty flavor with notes of fuzzy fruit, toffee and citrus. Medium to full-bodied and creamy with lively carbonation. Finishes herbal and very dry.

(Dec 2003 vintage) Thin dense head which reduces quickly but has plenty of carbonation to keep a thin sheen of bubbles dancing on the surface. Fruity (lemon, pineapple and grapefruit). Little bit of yeast. Color is a hazy but bright golden orange. Bitter and hoppy with a little bit of fruit. Mostly grapefruit. Actually pretty bitter. Little yeast and grass. Bit dry. Finish is dry and bitter with a lingering hops presence. This is an ok belgian but not anything special.

330 ml bottle. Strong fruit and hops aroma after opening the bottle. Strong carbonation, firm head. Reminds me of Val Dieu Tripel, though this one is more bitter, I like the Val Dieu better. Nice hoppy, citrus and grapefruit. Bit too yeasty.

Hazy yellow with a lasting white head. Fruity aroma of citrus, apple and banana. Quite bitter for a Belgian, even a hint of grapefruit.

Best by July 20, 2010. Hazy orange/gold. Huge, dense, explosive, off white head settles rather quickly. Nice lacing. Musty aroma with a touch of vomit (not unpleasant, but not pleasant, either), leather, horse blanket, yeast and some grains. Reads like a saison description. The flavor eludes any vomit notes, maintains the others, and adds spices, some toasty malt in the first half, and a strong hop presence in the second half. Dry, musty, yeasty finish. Full, balanced body. Great brew.

On tap at "Den Tatoverede Enke", Copenhagen late friday night. I simply asked for something "blond, fruity, and bitter" which was exactly what I got! Very nice stuff.

750ml-Unfiltered orangish pour w/ a good size white head.Aroma is very citrusy. A taste of malt followed by grassy and alcohol taste. Overall a good tasting belgium beer even though it had the alcohol taste at the end it is not overpowering for 8%ABV.