Barbãr (Belgian Honey Ale) - Brasserie Lefèbvre SA

rodenbach99

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer was bought et the SAQ in the kit ½ meter of beer. Poured from a 330ml brown bottle. Nice dark golden very clear bottle. White head on top. On the nose we can smell clover flowers (maybe clover flower honey). Good taste with a lot of residual sugar, some honey flavor too.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2010 20:50:03 | More by rodenbach99

daledeee

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured this beer into my tulip glass. 11.2 oz bottle

Nose is Belgian hops and hints of fruit and grain.

Taste is slightly tart with apples, slight hint of spice and hops. Hints of malt in the finish.

Excellent carbonated mouth feel with a wet finish

Very drinkable. Tasted fresh and alcohol had a slight warming effect.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 21:33:30 | More by daledeee

DaveHS

California

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Belgian tulip glass.

A-The color of apple juice, with an inch and a half of off-white head. Leaves fluffy, thick lacing.

S-Fairly nondescript. Some yeasty esters, maybe a hint of clove.

T-Bright and refreshing. Pale malts and honey stand out as the main flavors, with some faint hop bitterness in the finish. A simple, crisp blonde ale made just slightly sweet by honey. Not bad at all.

M-Medium bodied with thick, mouth-filling carbonation.

D-Pretty high. At only $3.99 a bottle, this is a bargain.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2010 04:19:48 | More by DaveHS

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.53/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Flip-top brown bottle (33cl) poured into my new 'Abbot Ale' glass tankard.

Suprised to see I hadn't reviewed this beer before, glad I checked before popping it open!

The body is a good looking golden colour and the pure white head on top gives it an overal high score for looks, pity the whole head couldn't hang around longer though, it thinned quickly, but was still a full covering at the end.

The nose and taste is a subtle honey one, it isn't in your face, yet you know it's there from the off.

I like this beer, but only one at a time, I am sure the sweetness that it hides so well would eventually come to the fore and ruin the flavours for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2010 15:08:23 | More by BlackHaddock

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle at Chancey Smith. Decent drinking Belgian pale. Unexceptional other than some orange in flavour, honey in the secondary. Golden yellow coloured body with some head, lots of lace. High carbonation. Neutral aromas, perhaps the honey absorbs it.Easy mouthfeel, the smoothness from the honey overrides the carbonation. Nice summer Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 13:46:12 | More by northyorksammy

fropones

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - A hazy orange with a decent ecru head.

S - Honey (obviously), some citrus fruit. Fairly simple. Belgian yeast.

T - More honey, a nice sweetness here. Nicely spiced, good balance.

M - Great carbonation, nice body.

D - Nicely drinkable, alcohol pretty well hidden. At only $1 a bottle, I am going to have to buy more of this.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2010 04:03:39 | More by fropones

mithrascruor

California

3.05/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz. bottle poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear deep golden color with a 1-finger foamy white head with good retention.

Smell: Odd spicy flavor with a bit of sweetness, though I'm not too fond of it - a bit like chemical cleaner or something.

Taste: Hops and honey sweetness up front, and some very light spices some in. Sweetness and alcohol in the finish. Somewhat astringent aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and quite carbonated - masks the flavor a bit.

Drinkability: Stronger alcohol than I expected, but not too strong. But, the flavor is a bit tough.

Sounded good, but I am not a fan. I really don't like the taste; it is a bit too "chemical"-like.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2010 00:54:05 | More by mithrascruor

Pencible

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Best before 10:25 (L20100220) This poured a cloudy dark gold, with thick white head.
S: It smelled like lots of sweet honey and creamy yeast, with some fresh wheat and lemon hops.
T: It tasted like wild honey and lemon zest, with creamy yeast and fresh wheat, and a hint of coriander. It had a moderate bittersweet aftertaste.
M: It was thick with some carbonation.
D: This was a pretty interesting and enjoyable beer, like a honey witbier. It was fairly clean and hid the alcohol well, so it was easy to drink. But it's worth sipping to fully appreciate the unique honey character. Recommended, if only to try once.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2010 23:47:03 | More by Pencible

Kemmerlin

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: hazy golden color with a thick long lasting and sticky white head
S: smells like it's high in alcohol with a burnt rubber smell.
T: has the orange coriander taste mixed with a clove honey and aromatic hop taste parting slightly to welcome a sweet mixtured aftertaste
M/D: the feel is light sticky and carbonated like a European mineral water. The drinkability is good minus the smell.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2010 01:05:00 | More by Kemmerlin

illidurit

California

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap at The Red in Santa Cruz. Pours clear gold with a thin white head. Aromas of bread and a quite vivid honey note. Reminiscent of homemade biscuits with honey on them. Sweet grainy flavor, solid honey influence with a barely-there grassiness. Lightly astringent, dry, and a bit unclean in the finish. Still very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2010 08:26:00 | More by illidurit

berley31

New Brunswick (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured into a Barbar mug. Average-sized, white frothy head that had some good lasting power at 1-finger for the majority of drinking. Body is dark golden and slightly hazy (although hard to tell with that Barbar mug).

S: Sweet and flowery aroma, with honey and spices very noticeable. Almost perfumey, but quite pleasant.

T: Sweet malt with the honey coming through very nicely. The spices are there, and the beer has a peppery note to the taste.

M: Slightly creamy, with a medium-body and average carbonation.

D: Very enjoyable, as the honey is there but not cloying like honey can so often be. A very nice Belgian Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2010 20:46:23 | More by berley31

danydakid

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A; Slightly hazy, golden color with minimal head. Served in a goblet.

S: You could smell the honey in this beer, but it did not overpower the senses. It was slightly sweet and very inviting.

T: The taste was exactly what I thought it would be based on the smell. Very smooth and slightly sweet, with that unique honey flavor. The beer finished very smooth as well, without any bite.

D: This is a very drinkable beer when relaxing on a winter night or hanging out with friends in the summer. I'm not sure I would want more than 2 or 3 in a sitting, but I will definitely be ordering this again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2010 01:39:16 | More by danydakid

alpinebryant

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Hazy orange color with a white head, white lacing.

S: Honey all over this brew, strong coriander and other floral aromas possibly from the honey that was used. There is medicine scent to it that is stronger than the coriander for once Coriander does not overpower most of the other flavors in a beer.

T: Taste of strong Honey, syrupy consistency, medium to thick mouthfeel, some orange, spices, very light malt flavor almost unnoticeable with the strong honey presence. Drinkability for me was unfortunately low as the honey was just too much for me. I havent drank many meads, excluding "Hopslam" but this has to be one of the thicker varieties of Honey Belgian Strong Ales. And to think it is only 8% -

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2010 20:24:24 | More by alpinebryant

FreshHawk

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Somewhat cloudy, golden honey color with a thick full white head.

S - Some fruity (orange, apple and pear) scents along with a good amount of honey and sugar. A touch of floral hops. Some wheat, clove, and coriander (not too dissimilar to a Hefe).

T - Similar to the smell. Base of wheat and bready flavors with the dominant flavor topping that being honey. Pretty sweet that is cut a bit by the spiced flavor and the herbal hops. Some fruity flavors (like the scent) with it being mostly orange/citrus.

M - Medium body and fairly light carbonation that works well with this beer. Pretty creamy and slight sticky feel to it.

D - I found it really nice and fairly drinkable (although not really sessionable). Really is much more of a sipper though. Also, I could see it being a bit cloying and a bit too much for some people.

Notes: A lot like a mead but with more of a beer (particularly a Hefe) base. Had it one winter night and it was great to sip on and have a warming feeling.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2010 01:12:30 | More by FreshHawk

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap today at Max's during 72 hours.

The beer pours a bright gold color with good head retention and lacing. Nose is pretty muted, with some honey and wax and not much else. Fortunately, the beer is much better on the palate, with honey, light gingerale and hint of bitterness delivered in a moderately sweet package. The noticeable bitterness counters the sweetness very well, and enhances this beer's drinkability considerably. Mouthfeel is pretty light, and the beer has a mouthwatering component that is impressive. Drinkability is very good, and I could easily see myself knocking back a few of these bad boys (assuming I had unlimited funds, of course).

A very nice, easy to appreciate and enjoy beer. Good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2010 20:10:38 | More by johnmichaelsen

ThaCreep

Belgium

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The scent of flowers mixed with honey and orange, is sweet. And even if the beer is fermented honey, it reminds one chouia. It does indeed power than hanging around the bottom of the glass and points at this time honey roasted. The body is sparkling in his mouth while drinking sweet taste is quite pronounced. And post-flavored, honey has cut the bitterness of the drink and makes it light and easy to drink, but without making it sweet.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2010 11:46:42 | More by ThaCreep

Nickls

District of Columbia

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a big, generous finger+ of cappuccino-like frothy white head with pretty nice staying power; slightly hazy but mostly clear light golden orange hue with noticeable, vibrant rising carbonation.

Candy sweetness and a little yeasty; light sweet fruits; some light maltiness in the aroma. Not bad stuff in the nose....

Definitely notice the honey in this brew, pretty prominent in the taste, but not in a bad way at all. It is a brew that falls on the sweeter side, but not as sweet as I would have thought with the honey addition/theme. Peppery alcohol, some herbal spiciness; light hint of fruitiness; pretty nice actually! Lighter to medium body overall, and with very bubbly, tight carbonation. Interesting enough, but not as quaffable. Neat brew, and worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2009 19:57:07 | More by Nickls

CanuckRover

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a honey (sorry) brown with a nice, white, but relatively short head. Loads of visible carbonation.

Sweet caramel malt with complimenting honey on the nose.

Sweetness right up front from both the honey and malt. A little bit of tartness through the middle and nice flavourful coriander. Orange zest gives noticeable bitterness in the tail. Very nice grassy hops in the finish with a nice amount of bitterness, which stays on the tongue for a good while.

This is a really well constructed brew. Flavours play off eachother treally well giving it a surprising drinkability given the big alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2009 01:45:24 | More by CanuckRover

froghop

Washington

3.43/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

pours a semi-clear light orange with a small white head.

smell is of malt, corn, citrus, and spice.

taste is sour, a little sweet in back, spice, orange peel, some malt, and a little wheat, ends a little tart and somewhat bitter.

overall an above average belgian strong ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 21:39:38 | More by froghop

RuudJH

Netherlands

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

'Le Repos du Guerrier'. Who wouldn't want to drink that?
Strong pale ale with honey. Is it like mead?

Golden with a thick head. modest carbonation.
This smells quite nice and fresh. Light malts and yeast, and florally (naturally). I guess koriander. Reminds me of Rochefort trappist ale.

Taste is so sweet. Next to the honey it has some hoppy bitterness, that is strong enough to balance it. The aftertaste has a spicy bite.

I would say this is a good drink with a unique concept.
On the other hand, with the honey sweetness it's not a beer you'd want more than 2 bottles of on an evening.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2009 14:41:26 | More by RuudJH

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

growler to pint glass.

A: Big foamy, creamy white head that erupts from the body and eventually subsides in to a lingering film on top that lasts till the end. Unbelievable lacing. Golden yellow-ish orange body that is very clear all the way through.

S: Very unique aroma. Average level of maltiness, mostly toffee, sugar cookies and a little bready. Very light, doughy yeast notes. Resiny hops with fruity esters. I like Barbar so far.

T: Grape, apple, butterscotch notes in addition to the aromas that came through. Now I love Barbar.

M: Very light and delicate mouthfeel. Lighter body than I prefer, but it does not bother me whatsoever, all things considered. Very slick, almost oily mouthfeel. After the performance that was the pour, I would have guessed more carbonation would be present. It is almost flat but trust me, in an acceptable way.

D: This is one drinkable beer. Hopefully the sweet flavor doesn't change my mind. It is very palatable and would be sessionable if it were lower in ABV.

Serving type: growler

11-09-2009 01:33:13 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

jujubeast6000

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed 8/16/2009 (Draft at Flying Saucer, Houston, TX; sold as "Made with Mexican Honey"):

Pours a golden clear orangish colored body, with a big frothy creamy white head, lastingish. Spicy aroma, some orange peel. Lemon and citrus. Floral taste, sweet and almost sickly. Strong honey taste. Some citrus and orange and lemon too. Mostly light tasting, sweet aftertaste, very floral.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2009 22:33:18 | More by jujubeast6000

twaddlac

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Not very impressed with this beer initially... Poured clear and pale, almost like a Budweiser product!! :-O Small head with a mediocre lace that surprisingly lingered around for quite some time. Honey, orange color with a very slight turbidity.

S- Very unique! Very, very strong smell of berries and honey, almost like straight cranberry-grape juice. Slight hoppiness but not hints of the coriander. Slight orange as well.

T- Very spicy, very strong, bold taste. Despite the absence of the coriander in the aroma, it is the first thing that zapped my pallet. After taste of the cranberry-grape flavor; the oranges and honey. The hops amplify the bitterness of coriander but the honey mellows it at the finish. Very slight wheat taste and pretty bitter at the finish but very complex taste!

M- Very carbonated but it adds to the zing. A bit too harsh too much when you swallow but nothing that is too overbearing. Medium bodied

D- Very complex beer and one that would be a crowd pleaser as well. Good enough to have several in one sitting if you can put up with the carbonation. Good beer and its something that you should pick up if the opportunity comes about!

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2009 01:30:16 | More by twaddlac

CHSLBrew

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a snifter.

A-Cloudy golden-white beer. Off-white head reduces quickly to thing, patchy layer.

S-Spicy off the bat from the corriander, with a distinct citrus character floating in. Black pepper, along with a ripe fruitiness.

T-Bready malt, slightly wheaty with that twang, and quite sweet. Not as spicy as in the aroma, and with a more subdued citrus which emerges further along in the finish. Bitterness does not emerge as a hop character, but rather an influence of the spice additions. Finishes with residiual fruitiness, spicy, and fresh.

M-Actually moderately warming after a couple sips. Moderate body, viscous within my mouth, but with a bright, bubbly carbonation that helps to keep it feeling rather ligh in my mouth.

D-OK. Pretty easy going, but not amazing. This seems similar to some of the imperial witbiers that are popping up here and there in the USA. I think this one is interesting to sample.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2009 16:51:07 | More by CHSLBrew

armock

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured a golden color with a big white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Has a yeasty spicey nose with honey sweetness

T - Follows the nose with but the sweetness comes out more in the taste

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - I enjoyed this beer quite a bit I liked the taste that the honey added worth trying sometime

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2009 21:22:52 | More by armock