Poperings Hommelbier

Brewed by Van Eecke
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Poperinge-Watou, Belgium

Bottiglia da 33cl comprata da Ciobì, versa color biondo scuro con buona schiuma persistente. Aroma inebriante, favoloso, carezzevole e floreale; il luppolo fresco domina anche il sapore con note erbacee di complessità notevole, sapore che inizia però piacevolmente dolce e maltato; corpo leggero ma non acquoso. Fantastica, erano mesi che non mi capitava una cosa del genere fra le mani... ma non l’avevo già assaggiata??? Comincio ad avere il dubbio che fosse questa la mia ’scelta’ (aiutata da Sergio) ad Halloween dell’anno scorso. Se così è, buon anniversario Poperings Hommelbier; in caso contrario, grandissima scoperta.

One of the greatest brews in the world. The hopping, which is perfumed rather than bitter makes it virtually unique, although Saison Dupont and Avec Les Bons Voeux are not dissimilar. It does not drink its strength either, and remains very refreshing. The bet place to drink it is t’Hommelhof in Watou, eating rabbit braised in Hommel Bier. Heaven.

I remember this beer from early in my "good beer" quest. I remembered liking it a great deal. Therefore I had a great deal of anticipation upon coming across another bottle. Sampled from the usual Belgian 11.2 oz bottle the beer poured a luscious golden orange-tan color. There was a medium head that interestingly was rather orange colored as well. The aroma was strong and was an enticing blend of sweet orange and pineapple. The flavor washed over the tongue bursting sweet and bubbly with strong notes of pineapple and orange. There was just a hint of sourness to add complexity and a noticeable lingering of hops and ripe fruit on the tongue. In all this beer was a delight.

Re-Rate 10/08/02: Golden orange the color, the head resplendent, white, creamy, long lasting, the lace splendiferous as it clings to the glass. The sniff is sweet, citrus, light hints of bubble gum. The start is sweet, but the tartness, nay I say the sourness, hits before you can blink. Finish is grapefruity, cumbrously hopped, strikingly acidic, and the aftertaste is alcohol bitter. Maybe not meant for the weak of palate, but I love it, and it remains high on my master list at #39.

As a draft: Nice golden colour, herbal/spicy nose, fresh in the taste with nice endings in the local Belgian hop aroma’s. For every moment of the day, all year round.

Lots and lots of hops. It has a fine unclear golden colour. The head is big, but falls to quickly. At first the aroma has a bit of coriander, but after 5-10 min. in the glass, the coriander is substituted by a great hops-aroma. The same inpression is in the flavor. I really like the massive hopsaroma and -taste. Long finish, were a bit of the corinader is back. Soft palate.

The label on mine says hommel ale, not hommel bier. I assume this is the one. Crisp, tart, grassy, vegetably. Resembles a Triple but is more sharp and has stronger (floral?) aroma. I found it most enjoyable, hence my outlandishly high score for it. I’m big on things Tripel-y, and this is even more distinctive. My only problem was the brewery shaving off a fl. oz. This is America, we need things big!

Bottle, 25 cl. Now this beer since 1986, and like it. Yesterday evening i’ll taste it this year for first. Really hoppy aroma, and light fruit. Flavor is nice hoppy. Very drinkable. Stays a great prodcut for me.