Pelican Bridal Ale

Brewed by Pelican Pub & Brewery
Style: Bière de Garde
Pacific City, Oregon USA

October 2005 Bottle Date, Sampled January 2008
A mix of spicy, really peppery notes and oxidized malt character reach my nose as I pour this beer. The head musters up a frothy, amber tinged, tan colored head the peaks just over a finger in height. The beer is a brilliantly clear, cranberry red color. A deeper inspection of the aroma yields aromas of ginger, light sherry, prune, and a substantial malt character of toasted bread crust, touches of soda crackers, touches of caramelized malt and a nice grain character. I really like how softly spicy (really a white pepper note) the aroma is and the initially noticed oxidation is not nearly as present once you get down to it.

Somewhat sweet up front, the beer has a bit of heft to it up front but seems to thin out as you move to the finish. Oxidized malt flavors provide a touch of sherry and seem to accent a pepper bite in this beer. A medium-low level of carbonation provides a touch of an offset to the malty body. Quite a bit of caramelized malt character is here, though without contributing overly to the sweetness of this brew. A touch tart in the finish, as well as having a light, though noticeable bitter hop bite. This has an interesting woodiness to it too; slightly tannic, touches of buttery-oak and even something like vanilla, a mix of flavors I was not expecting from this un-oaked beer (though these notes are certainly soft and subtle).

This has survived quite well in the two-and-a-half years since being bottled. It is definitely starting to show some oxidation, but not overly so and this seems to somehow accentuate the spicy pepper note that I like so much in this brew. There is not much else I could ask from a 2+ year old Bier de Garde; a near perfect mix of lagered, yet spicy, malty, lightly aged character; though of course I will by saying that it could use a touch more complexity.

Purchased via mail order: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Solutions

Pours an attractive deep copper color with a reddish hue. Thick light tan head. Sweet apricot and peach aromas with a mild Belgian yeasty influence. Smooth dark fruit sweetness and light flowery tones mix well over the malt base. Very nice.

bottle form 2005 courtesy of mgumby10: pours a lively looking orange cooper with a small white head. aroma is very interesting earthy and farm like hints of citrus and spice. i also get parmesain cheese, or some kind of aged cheese. flavour is funky farm like taste and getting some of the aged cheese flavour. also a little hay likeness. with all that wierd saying of the beer quite enjoyable.

2005 Bottle with one of the most stubborn corks I’ve encountered to date. Pours red with a brown hue and a white dissipating head. Smells of sweet citrus, caramel, sugar, plums, some roses, hints of clove. Taste balances a nice spice character with a dry malt backbone. Mouthfeel is resiny with a finish that yields moderate tartness. All in all a solid beer.

Sweet aroma with a slight hint of hops. Hard to detect hops but there. Balanced toffee with a deep but soft bitterness with a sweet aftertaste. Earthy. Murky brown with a small white head. Prickly carbonation and moderately thick. I liked it.

Bottle… Lightly hazed orange ale with a mid-sized, creamy, off-white head. Terrific retention. The aroma is of caramel, unidentified fruit and dried flowers. Sweet, caramel flavor with restrained earthiness. No boatloads of bitterness or acidity here… pretty much a simple malt-bomb. Full-bodied and almost syrupy with moderate carbonation. Sweet, caramel finish. Not very Bière de Garde-like, but damn tasty nonetheless. The bottle was provided by mgumby10!

Courtesy mgumby10. Pours out copper with a thick white head. Big caramel malt hoppy aroma. Taste is similar, caramel and lots of hops. Very big taste, lots of malt. Leaves a nice hint of caramel on the tongue.

Courtesy mgumby10. Thanks Mike. Pours a thick, hazy, dark burnt orange-amber color with a small, bubbly, off-white head. Random spotty lacing noted. The aroma shows chewy nougat, darkly roasted caramel, and some dark fruits and spices. There is a very faint touch of bourbon on the nose as well. The flavor is sweet and malty up front, with tons of caramel, toffee, and nougat. There is a little bit of dark fruit, like dates and cherries, as well as a faint touch of floral hops and some earthy spices. Medium-full body, with a smooth texture. Sweet caramel malt finish. Pretty solid, but not out of this world.