Radermacher Rader Blonde

Brewed by Brasserie de l’Abbaye du Val-Dieu
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Aubel, Belgium

Brownish amber pour with nice head. Menthol ginger spices comes off on a surprising nose, with tricky fruit aromas which are difficult to identify, the label says juniper berry but I dont quite sniff it. The body is similarly appointed, with lingering minty ginger flavors, which are dominant yet held in check by some mysterious balancing force. Light flowers and a cloying spice define this surprising brew. not at all what I was expecting.

(BCTC, 750ml bottle, best by 6/6/09) Medium white head atop lightly hazed straw body. Aroma is medium sweet, lemon, some juniper, light herb. Taste is medium sweet, lemon, some juniper, medium sourness that includes some candy sourness, light medicinal. Light-medium body.

S/H/V rating #100. Dear lord, I absolutely hate anything gin-like, anything with juniper berries in it, no way... this beer actually looks really good in the glass, glowing peach color, soft white head, really nice, but it’s hiding the evil of juniper inside... that sickly chemical paint thinner and woody/berry-like cloying sweetness, ugh. I’m an outlier, I absolutely can not stand gin. This is what hell would taste like to me. I think this is the first time I’ve ever given a 5 for appearance with a 1 for flavor.

33cl, brew with juniper, from Geers Oostakker, complex, not balanced, cloudy, rocky head, nothing special

Aroma is strong, its like orange and pine ground together. Color is a pale gold with very good carbonation and a nice head. Taste like dirty water. Starts with a medium body that goes down with a fluffy feel. Finish comes on with a sour pine like taste that reminds me of pine-sol floor cleaner, then some citrus. After taste is not as bad with a lemon like taste. Overall its not a good brew, I hope I never hafta drink it ever again.

Pours a clear golden/lemon yellow with thick white head that dissipates to a thin layer. Aroma is a lemon perfume. Flavor is same perfume flavor with yeast and lemon. A very strange flavor is coming across... very artificial. Body is medium, as is carbonation.Just not at all impressed with this beer. funky.

75cl bottle from Willow Bend Liquors (Tampa, FL). Rated on 2/18/08. Pours a dark yellow with thick white head that settles slowly. Yeast clearly visible in the glass. Aroma is gin, herbs, juniper. Flavor begins as a rubbing alcohol flavor that transitions to a gin taste that dissipates quickly. Interesting beer that taste more like spirits than a beer. Light-bodied with a slightly lingering, juniper finish.

Very light blonde color with a white fizzy head. Fruity citrus aromas. Lemon malt flavors. Lightly bitter duration. Good carbonation.