Radermacher Rader Ambrée

Brewed by Brasserie de l’Abbaye du Val-Dieu
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Aubel, Belgium

Very fruity (some berries) and sweet aroma. Cloudy, yellow coloured with a thin white head. Taste is malty, yeasty, sweet and fruity (same berries again). Alcohol is present, but quite well hidden compared to its percentage.

Bottle marked 06/06/09 thanks to bu11zeye. Pours with a large, white head over a hazed golden body. Aroma of lemon, light spice, caramel and brandy. Taste is alcohol, malt, caramel, spiced bread, a bit of oak and corn sweetness. Lively bubbles.

Partly cloudy golden body with lots and lots of particles. Medium short-lived white head. Aroma is floral, alcohol and a fruity notes that I’d describe as pumpkin seeds. Body is pleasantly smooth and oily. Taste is fruity yeast, candied fruits (pears, oranges), thick flower juice and alcohol. Hops are either inexpressive or killed by the alcohol. Sweetness is moderate to high. Pleasant typical Belgium carbonation. I got used to the alcohol fairly quickly and after a few sips I was enjoying the beer. Unfortunately that the Belgian beer scene is filled with similar but inferior strong blonde ales and most of them are just a blip on the Rader Ambrée.

Consumed 04/22/09 with bottle stated best buy date of 06/06/09, just made it. I wasn’t too surprised by the modest gushing this thing did upon opening. It pours light amber with initially very tall tan head and cobweb lacing. The aroma is full emitting a mix of brown sugar and caramel notes as well as a layer of smooth dark fruitiness. The taste is smooth, near velvety and sweet with blended rich and indistinguishable dark fruit esters to go along with a decent load of sugar and caramel sweetness. By midway I start to get sugar drenched dark berries, concord grapes and sweet ripe caramel dipped apples. It finishes with just a hint of the ABV and lingering brown sugar and caramel sweetness.

The aroma is yeasty, fruity, and spicy. The appearance is golden amber with a nice head. The flavor is like the aroma. The palate is typical for the style. This is OK but nothing special.

Candied Belgian aroma, light caramel and vanilla/alcohol vapors. Frothy head, good sturdy bottle. Initially, I got a sweet candied impression, but as the glass wore on, the boozy wood bitterness came through strongly. Medium body, clingy wood/herbal bitterness in the finish. Fair, but warming.

33cL bottle, courtesy of argo0. Thanks, Aaron! Pours a hazy, brownish-yellow; off-white head with fine-bubbled lacing. Slightly tart, apple cider and doughy aroma. Sweet mouthfeel: overripe apples and raisins; a hint of oak and sharp tartness; just a bit rough along the way. Medium, apple and yeasty finish.

Bottle: Pale brown, dirty, hues of caramel, sediment floats about, large pillowy white head, very sticky lacing.   Sweet candyish nose, soft pale fruit, bready, seems like this one could get really sticky.   Sweet bready start, almost chewy, pale apple/pear skin, some walnut and molasses.   Warming, but not hot for being 10.5%.   As it warms, it develops a little bit of an alcoholic kick.   Fairly nice body, soft mouthfeel.   Soft lingering spices after the finish.   Better than I had anticipated!