Silenrieux Joseph Spelt Ale

Brewed by Silenrieux
Style: Specialty Grain
Silenrieux, Belgium

Undated bottle (more than likely late 2003 or 2004). Marigold-amber-copper color to the beer, tons of sediment, hazy and unfiltered. Large foamy white head, not tremendously dense, with large bubbles rising to the top. Good retention though, and a large amount of lacing. Aroma of vanilla, lemon, Belgian yeast, citrus candy chews and sweet doughy malt. Flavor begins very voluptuosly malty. Sweet, orangey and with plenty of Belgian yeast apparency. Faint lemon and vanilla hide behind the malt and it gets lightly tart/acidic on the end. Firm textured bubbles and substantial maltiness give it a solid mouthfeel and body. Perhaps a little bit too much lemon acidity on the end, though I am impressed that there is this strong a flavor in a 5% Belgian ale. Not really getting much bubble gum, banana or coriander, things I would think to see in a wit. It dosent look like a wit either. It also dosent really have the mouthfeel of a wit (too strong, creamy and richly malted). Ok, so I don’t think it’s much of a wit, but regardless, I enjoyed the malt flavors, not watery body and good dose of yeast. Could stand to be a good deal more complex, and the balance needs some adjustment (less acid/tartness and syrupiness) but I am still surprised by the relatively low score.

25.4 oz bottle from Mr. Liquor. Poured pale yellow with a large, foamy head that lasted the whole glass. Not much in the way of lacing. The aroma was really nice-- Sweet and lemony. The flavor was very dry and very sparse. A bit of a metallic aftertaste. Mouthfeel was light and highly carbonated.

Bottled, alc. 5.4% (BBE 2006)
Hazy orange, small white head. Complex sour aroma of horseblanket, banana, wheat and cardboard. Spicey flavor, dry mouthfeel with hay and wood. Long dry, perharps slightly sour aftertaste. Very unique witbier. Not really so pleasant, but interesting enough to get quite high rating.

Opaque, yellow-orange color with a large head. Quite crisp and neutral, wheat, candy and bubblegum aroma. Banana-fruity, spicy, yeasty and acidic flavor. Medium-bodied, foamy-carbonated and refreshing palate with a thick finish. A very refreshing and pleasant blend of witbier and hefeweizen. Should make a very nice summer drink!

Tangy and tart upfront with a somewhat earthy and peppery mid body. citrus and barnyard finish with a grainy mouthfeel.

Well, nice name this beer. Aroma is of citrus, yeast and grain. Some spices. Hazy, white-yellow coloured with a lasting white head. Taste is sweet, grainy, some citrus (mostly lemon). Indeed quite light and a little dry.

Opague golden rod yellow with a odest white head with whispy hints of lace longering longly from the head. Taste adn aroma is very yeasty with a tart lemon kick. Tangy sweetness is allowed a bit too much strength in this one I believe, but overall light and refreshing.

Pale colored and cloudy, like a witbier should be. Just a hint of citrus in the somewhat spicy aroma. A bit detergent-like. Somehwat tart, lemon flavor, just a bit sharp, but also creamy. Dry in the throat.