Homer Celestiale

16-Feb-08 (22-oz bottle: Purchased 23-Jan-08 at the brewery) 2007 release, bottle 85 of 144, brewed with cinnamon, nutmet, orange peel and ginger. When first poured, the nose is very funky, kind of stinky feet thing going on, but if left undisturbed in the glass without any swirling, the funky aromas fades into the background, which then allows the spices to emerge. Nutmeg seems to be the dominant aroma, even though this beer has cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel and ginger in it. The spiciness is much more obvious in the flavor. Nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon are readily apparent, but the toasty, lightly roasty malts provide a solid base. Some hop bitterness, but the balance for this beer is mostly from the spices. The body is medium, so it seems a bit thin for a spiced winter ale, especially in the finish. Carbonation is moderate, and spices add zest and dryness to the palate and a clean mouthfeel for a spiced winter ale. Ruddy amber in color, and moderately hazy on the first pour, but subsequent pours are muddy and very murky, with lots of sediment still left in the bottle. Small, off-white head settles quickly to a thin, filmy layer and small ring. Just a few spots of lace on the glass. Some weird aromas initially, but otherwise, a pretty enjoyable spiced ale.

12 oz. bottle, shared by DarkElf. Purs murky brown with a small off-white head and some lace. After sitting a while, the beer exhibits a pleasant spice cake nose, cinnamon clove and breadiness, cardamom and anise. Toasty/roasty malts, clove and nutmeg again, sasparilla, cinnamon, citrus rind and coffee. Medium body with little to no carbonation. Interesting, but didn’t live up to my expectations.

Date: 06/12/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting
Vintage: 2006

muddy dark amber, fine beige head, streaks of lace, big peppery spicy aroma that arrives before you pick up the glass with lots of cinamon and clove on a dark malt base, creamy body, lots of spicy flavor, mostly dry with the touch of sweetness well balanced with the earthy spicy character, the spices build up to a bitterness

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: **4

This Belgian Ale pours a medium brown color from a 22oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is malty and spicy. A medium bodied Belgian Ale. Malts are fruity and sweet, brown sugar and spices. Herbal and earthy, yeasty and bright. Nice balance. Clove, ginger, coriander and orange peel flavors. There is a lot more here as well. Interesting beer. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

2006, 139/144: 22oz bottle. SPICY!!!! Super clove, cinnamon. Hazy muddy looking. Musty, earthly aroma as well. Flavor of malt. Thin bodied.

Appearance: Pours out a hazy, light brown body with a very thin, tan-colored head. Smell: Earthy and richly spiced, like a top-dollar potpourri blend. You can literally smell the star potential in Homer Brewing’s "Celestiale". Taste: While there is some caramel sweetness to be found, its basically spices through and through. It really gives me the impression of a plateful of sugar-encrusted spice cookies. Mentioning crystalized ginger, dried orange peel, clove, and coriander would only scratch the surface. Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body, with a mild carbonation. Drinkability: At first, I was worried it would be a glass of horrors! However, it was pretty good (and interesting).

’06 Bottle number 139/144. Pours a deep amber color with a light tan head. Aroma is tons of spice hard to pick out all of them. Cloves, very herby. Flavor is not nearly as strong as aroma. Clove, coriander, and lots of earthy herbs. Pretty good spiced ale.

On tap at Humpy’s. Clear amber color with a foamy off white head. Sweet malty nose with some spice to it. Malty caramel sweetness with orange, orange peel bitterness, and an almost ginger sense to it. Lingering hop bitterness on the tongue. Very nice winter seasonal.