Ovila Belgian Style Golden - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

themind

New Jersey

2.8/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This thing is way to carbonated! I tried nine different ways of pouring this into a glass and every time I ended up with a glass full of foam. When I removed the cage around the cork the freaking cork blasted off and bounced off my ceiling. This was sitting in my bar for a week so it's not like someone secretly grabbed it and shook it 1000 times before I decided to drink it. The taste is decent but I only got about one glass from the bomber due to the massive amount of foam.

Bottom Line: Foam blast nothing more!

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 02:58:21 | More by themind

UCLABrewN84

California

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Bottle I brought to share at Wowcoolman's tasting.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy bone head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, fruit, and yeast aromas. Taste is much the same with fruity and yeast flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a high level of carbonation with a crisp and prickly mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is tasty but smells slightly better in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 01:08:45 | More by UCLABrewN84

rangerred

Tennessee

3.89/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a goblet of a 750ml bottle.

Pours a clear deep gold with a fluffy two finger white head. The head never really goes away thanks to the abundant carbonation but there is also not a whole lot of lacing.

Big Belgian citrusy note on the nose with tons of pear and peaches. Some peppery spicyness along with clove and a touch of banana. Not bad but not quite as sharp and in your face as some others.

The taste is somewhat muted which is disappointing because there is really so much potential. Nice spice along with lots of pear. A little peppery as well with some light hints of biscuit. Mouthfeel is very soft and spritzy and really is perfect for the style. Finish is moderately dry with just a little stickyness and the alcohol is well hidden.

Overall, a nice attempt by Sierra Nevada at a beer that can be difficult to get right. While it is not as good as some of the top of the line Belgians, it is a great job by a large brewery in the States.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:25:37 | More by rangerred

SHODriver

California

3.96/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: self removing cork poured into a duvel tulip to a clear light gold with a huge four finger fluffy white head that has excellent retention
S: spicy yeast and slightly fruity, a bit of pale malt and some lemony hop
T: fruity pear and spicy yeast, slight citrus with a bit of pepperyness, a bit of bready malt and apple like sweetness and a slight amount of funk at times. swallow is more fruitiness and spicy yeast
M: lighter side of medium on the palate due to the ample yet still somewhat soft carbonation
O: huge flavors, very complex and good qualities overall. pretty good and a solid example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 02:37:25 | More by SHODriver

atr2605

New York

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-pours golden with a huge white head that clings to the side of the glass
S-citrus, slightly earthy, minerals, honey, yeast
T-Citrus and mineral flavor up front leading into the honey and malt sweetness with the belgian yeast lingering
M-medium-light bodied with lots of carbonation
O-very solid strong pale ale with great balance. What I would expect from sierra nevada

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 01:04:57 | More by atr2605

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From the caged, corked 750 ml. bottle. Sampled on February 18, 2013.

At the pop of the cork I immediately see a nice burst of carbonated mist erupting from the bottle. The pour is golden yellow with a lasting, soft white head. It is a tad cloudy.

The nose is tickled with all of the Belgian style aromas that I like including yeast, pale malts, Belgian sugar, pear, and baked bread.

The body is full but astringent.

The taste starts out sweeter than other Belgian Strong Ales with a carbonated centerpiece of malts, sugar and then a linger drug hop finish bringing up the rear. Very nice indeed.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 20:18:35 | More by puboflyons

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/2/2012. Cork shot the ceiling as soon as he cage came off. Pours fairly cloudy golden amber color with a nice 2-3 finger fluffy white head with great retention; that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass, with a large amount of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of big apple. pear, grape, herbal, floral, apricot, grass, pepper, and earthy yeast esters. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity esters. Taste of pear, apple, grape, pepper, apricot, herbal, grass, and earthy yeast esters. Lingering notes of light fruits, light pepper, herbal, floral, grass, and earthy yeast esters on the finish for a good bit. Very nice flavor balance and complexity of fruity and malty flavors; with minimal cloying sweetness present after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a very crisp, foamy, and lightly slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice Belgian golden ale. Very nice balance and complexity of malt and yeast esters; and quite smooth to sip on. A nicely enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:05:37 | More by superspak

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.89/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

P: A billowing 3 inch of white ricky head hovering over a sea of murky golden apricot. Retention is ridiculous and just seems to get creamier. Yeast specks sprinkle the creamy head while lacing bubbles around the edges.

S: Sweet stone fruits, citrus, big Belgian yeast nose, pils malt, sourdough and dried wheat. Spices and floral aroma are also present. The great yeast aroma is the heavy hitter here. Once agitated stale bubblegum comes out and the booze becomes more present.

T/M: Old leather, slightly smoked grains, clove, cinnamon, white pepper, stone fruits, spice rum soaked apricots and a hefty dose of dry yeast. Finish is super dry with lingering sourdough, bitter green bananas and kale. Vivacious carbonation in a medium body that dries out the palate upon entering.

O: A beautiful presentation of a delicious beer. Gotta love BSPA's. super dry, spicy and great fruit sweetness. I'm glad I was able to find this Ovila and I look forward to enjoying the quad soon. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 00:47:21 | More by Hopswagger

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Ovila Belgian Style Golden
Sierra Nevada Brewing

APPEARANCE: 750 ml bottle corked and caged. When the cage is open the cork works it own way out for the most part and opens with a vigorous pop. Pours a solid golden color with a chill haze and huge lather like foam.

SMELL: Earthy bready Belgian yeast character is definitely noticeable. Faint lemony citrus. Also smells like a fresh sea breeze coupled with spice and fruits.

TASTE: Belgian yeast with soft unripe green apple and pear notes. Mild citrusy like notes and acidity which can be defined by the yeast or the hops. There is a well rounded earthy bitterness and even a slight spicy note to balance this ale. No real noticeable alcohol presence. Muted funk from the yeast. Fairly expressive.

FEEL: Medium bodied but at the same time light and airy. The finish is very clean and refreshing and almost dry.

OVERALL: A nice simple Belgian Strong Pale Ale might even come close to a Tripel in its flavor. Very enjoyable and fresh tasting.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 23:13:00 | More by Stinkypuss

searsclone

Arizona

3.91/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

bottle into a wine glass

hazy honey color with a bright white fizzy head. good retention with champagne like bubbles

smell is white grape, pine, spices, sweet yeast and alcohol

taste is bitter and smokey. a bit one dimensional, not what I expected to taste after the great smell. a touch of green apple in the swallow.

mouthfeel is sharp and heavy. prickly carbonation and a slightly wet finish

overall, it seems a bit lacking to me in flavor. the rest of it is really good though, and it is smooth and really easy to drink

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 01:48:34 | More by searsclone

HalfFull

California

4.18/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Corked and caged 750 ml bottle into a large globe glass. This Golden Ale offers an almost self ejecting cork and is firmly bottle conditioned. Pours a golden with a touch of haze and a rambunctious meringue like head. A Duvel next to it is clearer yet clearly less carbonated. Offers long retention and solid lace

Bit of lemon pepper spice on the aroma is part of a pleasant yeast profile. Light pils. malts offer a neutral bready backdrop. Quite similar yeast profile vs. Duvel but with a subtle, yet not significant, difference in malt profile and with a fuller and more consistent note. Overall a bit more malty in that regard and closer to a Tripel in structure.

Flavor segues well from the aroma with lemon and spice, some green apple and a bit of hop spice. Well attenuated, clean and dry overall. Spicy, peppery and nicely carbonated on the tongue. Carbonation and hop presence yield a full feel for the style which lingers nicely.

Overall an immaculate brew that lacks the morphing yeast aroma of Duvel but adds a depth to the feel and finish...

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 05:17:34 | More by HalfFull

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.43/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sierra Nevada Ovila Golden has a thick, spongy, white head and an initially clear, bubbly, golden appearance, with hazes up, once one pours in the bottom swished third of the bottle. The aroma is very pungent, sweet, bready, and fruity, and the flavor is similar, with sour and citrus aspects. The bitterness level is pretty low, and the sediment brings in a yeasty quality. Mouthfeel is medium, and Sierra Nevada Ovila Golden finishes crisp, spritzy, and easily drinkable. The alcohol level really does not show much with this beer. Overall, I really enjoyed it and think it’s a most excellent offering.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 20:04:30 | More by RonaldTheriot

Kromes

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice. When opening, the cork almost shot out on its own. Be careful as the beer is under very high pressure.

A very hazy yellow/gold color with a very thick white head that remains at the top of the glass. Lots of active bubbles in the head while it replenishes itself and doesn't subside.

A nice Belgian yeast, bubble gum/banana, biscuit malt and citrus aroma.

Biscuit malts dominate up front and that flavor is quickly overtaken by a strong citrus flavor at first and then a more tame banana spice that fades into the finish with a touch of alcohol warmth, flavor, and bitterness.

Medium bodied and a very high level of carbonation. A nice peppery feel to it. May be a little too carbonated, lots of reflux going on inside.

I was pleasently surprised by this beer. A good Belgian Strong ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 23:58:29 | More by Kromes

scottfrie

California

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml into Portsmouth snifter.

A: Pours a bright golden with a huge, billowing, thick, bright white head that slowly collapsed into a dense film leaving streaky lace down the glass.
S: Huge peppery, spicy and fruity notes of dry grains, Belgian yeast and golden fruits. I get hints of pears, green apples, golden apples, black pepper, clove, and slight minty bubblegum as well. There is a mineraly quality, and pale grains come through as well.
T: Follows the nose with fruity and spicy flavors. Pear and apple come through alongside yeast, pepper, dry grains, slight lemon, and earthy hops. The finish is lightly sweet and minerally, and the aftertaste is full of apple and spices.
M: Medium body with a ton of fuzzy carbonation that bubbles up in my mouth. Very airy yet smooth. Mouthfeel is crisp and highly drinkable. Refreshing overall.
O: A clean and easy drinking Belgian pale. Flavors work well and the beer is refreshing overall.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:21:14 | More by scottfrie

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap 10/14/2012 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a light yellowish gold color, with a large white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains spices, Belgian yeast, light caramelized malts and touches of citrus and hops.

T: The taste starts out bready with flavors of Belgian yeast and a hearty malt character. Then some spice flavor comes along with mildly sweet flavors of citrus and caramel. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly bready.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer to pound down for a long time if you’re in the mood for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2012 16:58:28 | More by TheManiacalOne

ngeunit1

California

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a slightly hazy golden-orange with a big finger of frothy white head. The head fades down slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of pale malts, grains, Belgian yeast, coriander, spices, banana, some farmhouse smells, lemon zest, and a bit of booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of pale malts, grainy malts, coriander, and lemon zest. Through the middle, some more Belgian yeast esters come through with some more fruity esters, spices, and a bit of banana. The finish is a mix of sweet grainy malts, Belgian yeast esters, spices, lemon zest, and a touch of booze.

M - Medium bodied with moderate-plus carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry, sweet, and estery finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nice BSPA. Good balance of malts, spices, and yeast flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 06:38:54 | More by ngeunit1

beertunes

Washington

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in 14oz goblet. Poured a lightly cloudy golden color with about an inch of white head that had pretty good retention and no lacing.

The aroma was very good, nice base grains, a tangy yeast scent and a bit of spiciness. The nice flavors were similar, about what you expect in the style. the grains providing a foundation for the yeast, spice and other floral notes to build upon. There was just a bit of an alcohol taste at the finish.

The body was very nice, smooth, full and even. Drinkability was pretty good, I could have easily had several of these. Overall, a nice, if not quite outstanding, example of the style. Certainly worth trying if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2012 20:11:22 | More by beertunes

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer from recent Maine trip. Slightly boozy golden, but still good drinkable and more of a Belgian strong. Big foamy lasting head. Nice yeast, simple and slightly sweet. A little orange citrus, bubble gum and tropical fruit. Soft mouthfeel.Worth seeking out to try.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 00:59:37 | More by northyorksammy

prototypic

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

WARNING! Once you remove the cage on this one, the cork will likely shoot out like a cannon! Mine certainly did! Be careful with this one!

Beglian Style Golden Ale pours a lighter golden color. It’s clear and looks a little yellowish with backlighting. Carbonation is extremely active! The head on this one is easily over four fingers in height! It’s white in color and takes forever to dissipate. It’s a bit annoying. Lacing was sticky and moderate.

The nose is pretty good. Maybe a tad weak, but pretty good. It’s a little biscuity and fruity up front. Apple and pear scents are noted early on. It’s a bit earthy and grassy throughout. Smells like there’s a bit of mild noble hops present. Belgian yeast is in the mix and adds some light spicy notes. Smells mostly like pepper and light clove. Alcohol is there, but isn’t too strong in the mix. Honestly, 8.5% seems about right.

The flavor is a bit better. Enough to trigger a score bump. The malt base does have biscuity flavor. Tastes like pilsner malt. Fruit notes of apple and pear are noted early on. Belgian yeast follows and tastes really nice. It adds spicy clove and pepper flavors. Earthy, grainy, and grassy notes are prominent throughout. I can’t say for sure, but it seems like there’s some use of noble hops here. I like it. Alcohol is there, but isn’t overbearing. It’s not warm at all. Finishes fruity, grassy, and a little dry.

The body is medium. Carbonation is active and a bit buzzy. It’s not quite smooth, but it’s not bad. It goes down easy enough. This 750 is disappearing with relative ease.

Belgian Style Golden Ale is a pretty good collaboration from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and the Abbey of New Clairvaux. Its biggest problem is the overcarbonation. That needs to be toned down quite a bit. Pretty solid otherwise.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 01:43:36 | More by prototypic

bluejacket74

Ohio

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml caged and corked bottle, bottled on May 2, 2012. A couple seconds after I got the cage off, the cork shot itself out of the bottle like a rocket and whacked the ceiling pretty good, so you might want to be careful opening this brew. Served in a Unibroue tulip, the beer pours a slightly hazy dark gold color with a couple inch off-white head. Head retention and lacing are both good. It smells like pears, apples, Belgian yeast, bready malt and peppery spice. Taste is similar to the aroma, it tastes like pears, peppery spice, cloves, apple juice, and bready malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium, with high but soft carbonation which helps make this brew easy to drink. I think it's a good overall beer, I'd certainly try it again in the future. $9.99 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 22:06:12 | More by bluejacket74

Halcyondays

California

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle, biggest pop I've ever heard opening a bottle, it hit the ceiling and then landed about 10 meters away,

A: Pours a deep gold with a fizzy white head, big bubbles, spotty lace.

S: Pear, lemon, sugar cane.

T: Soft pear and golden apple. A light tartness and hint of citrus peel throughout. Some noble tasting hops in the finish. Well balanced flavour, though a little light.

M: Medium-bodied, soft carbonation, crisp, not over done which is something I can always count on the Ovila beers for.

O: Probably the weakest of the Ovila beers, but still well made and enjoyable. I just wish the flavour was more intense.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 03:24:09 | More by Halcyondays

flagmantho

Washington

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 750mL corked & caged bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: light golden hue with a bit of haze to the body and a mammoth, unbelievable effervescence. Head is about 2-3 fingers in the glass I poured and, as opposed to dissipating, is actually growing as it sits. I keep skimming the foam from the top of the glass, but then it grows back. If there's something more in the BSPA style in the appearance category, I don't know what it is.

Smell: sweet malt aroma with a fair bit of toasty character. Overall, not bad, but it's kind of one-dimensional for the style.

Taste: sweet malt with a good fruitiness; mostly pear with a little bit of white wine character. Not bad at all.

Mouthfeel: medium body with an absolute mammoth carbonation. My only complaint is that it might be *too* big. It's creamy, but a bit overwhelming. Shazam!

Overall: I'm all over the board with this beer. It is tasty, if sweet; it's creamy, if over-the-top; and, my god, it's been like 10 minutes since I started this review and the head is *still* growing! What an odd beer. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 08:28:12 | More by flagmantho

mdfb79

New York

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap today at The Pony Bar on the UES in NYC, leftover from their SN event 2 nights ago. Served as an 8 oz. pour.

a - Pours a somewhat transparent golden-yellow color with one inch of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks pretty nice.

s - Smells of pears, apples, fruity malts, pepper, Belgian yeast, cloves, bananas, wheat, and some light lemon and citrus. Very fruity and nice...lots of pear.

t - Tastes of pears, pepper, spices, cloves, apples, fruity malts, Belgian yeast, grains, bananas, wheat, light lemon, citrus, bready malts, and some earthy notes. More spice and pepper than the nose had. A very tiny step down for me.

m - Medium body moderate carbonation, the body is super smooth. Quite easy to drink.

o - Overall I'm glad I ordered this because I think it is my favorite Ovila series beer of their (not including the BA Dubbel). The nose is great with a lot of fruit, and the taste is very nice too, though it has a little more spice and pepper. Worth checking out and I'd have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 21:46:11 | More by mdfb79

LiquidAmber

Washington

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a light golden amber. Massive white head that slowly dissipates into a mound of foam with heavy lacing. Cork exploded out the bottle on release of the wire cage. Aroma of light fruit, saison-like yeast, light malt. Flavor of apple and pear juice, sweet malt. Initially dry, the flavor has waves of apple juice sweetness until a semi-dry herbal bitterness in the finish. This is quite fun to drink. Active carbonation and medium body give a nice mouth feel. This is a distinct and satisfying take on a Belgian strong ale and in my opinion the most successful of the Ovila series. I will buy this again when it comes back through the rotation.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 04:11:12 | More by LiquidAmber

Philousa

California

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The cork pops with a bang. The foam nearly overflows on its own into my Duvel tulip, but it does not spew out after I fill the glass. The beer is very clear with a dull brass color that catches the light like polished metal. The head is big and billowy and calms down to cover the glass in thin, irregular clumps. The aroma makes me feel like I'm on a wheat farm. I get hay, coppery dirt, coriander, and a little honey. Spices like pepper and clove are there as well, but the aroma mainly stays on the light end of the spice spectrum. The hops are there under the malt and yeast, floral with bit of nectar. Taste starts sweet, like honey, with some clove hitting the nasal cavities and a pungent Pilsner malt. There are lots of spices in the middle, mostly pepper and clove, but also some coriander and a little lavender. The Pilsner malt carries through, a bit metallic, to bitter, nectar tinged hops. The feel is tending towards watery and the finish is predictably dry, despite the somewhat uncharacteristically sweet taste.

This is a great example of a Belgian Golden Strong brewed by an American brewery. It leans against the style guidelines, not going into wild flavors or techniques. I think it speaks to what they are trying to do since this beer stays true to the Belgian traditions and expectations. There are better Belgian Golden Strongs out there, but this one is solid.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 04:22:42 | More by Philousa