Barbãr Bok (formerly Barbãr De Noël) - Brasserie Lefèbvre SA

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

3.79/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml thumbler served from tap at Bruxelles Café - Lausanne.

A: Pours a very dark amber color forming a good one to two fingers creamy beige head. Good retention, forming and leaving some thin lacings around

S: Strong notes of dark fruits, spices and honey. Sweet grains. Bready Belgium style yeasts

T: Sweet upfront. Sweet caramel, dark fruits (plums, mainly), spices (cinnamon?) and honey. Brown bread. Belgian yeasts. Slightly earthy. Light hoppy bitterness in the end. Strong Belgian character. A bit alcohol warming

M: Medium and bit molasses body. Medium carbonation too. Malty bittersweet aftertaste

O: Good drinkability. Good winter ale. Recommended

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2013 18:40:43 | More by eduardolinhalis

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy orange-ish to brown in color with a tan head. In the aroma, coriander, cinnamon, and a note of honey. In the taste, coriander, sweet cinnamon, and a dry honey flavor. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry coriander and cinnamon like aftertaste. The honey is a bit sweet to dry, a bit basic but nice nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 15:20:32 | More by OWSLEY069

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Barbãr Winterbok

From the tap it pours a dark brown, clear, with ruby hues. Aroma of dark fruits, primarily raisin, grape and fig. In the taste, fruity yeast imparting date, raisin, fig notes along with a sugary malt body and a light tang. Alcohol is well hidden. Trademark dark Belgian ale flavor, big time dark fruits. Light roasted malt qualities. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with adequate carbonation. Overall, a tasty winter brew from Barbar, a spiced honey ale is also in their lineup.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 01:30:36 | More by Stinkypuss

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Never expected to enjoy this beer as much as I did! This brew pours out as a deep amber color with a half inch cream colored head on it. The aroma of this beer is so sweet and inviting. It's one of those beers I just didn't want to lower from my nose. The taste of the beer has that same rich sweetness and alcohol in there that just warms the inside of your body. The mouthfeel is Silky smooth and very easy to put down. I found this to be a hidden gem of a beer. I would look for this one again any day.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2011 23:18:51 | More by Knapp85

ThaCreep

Belgium

3.05/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Smell of grilled honey on the nose but you can feel also the presence of malt and yeast. At the tasting, we identify directly what little taste of honey, honey with which the beer was fermented but the flavor is much further back than in the simple Barbar. Presence of oriental spices enough, enough sour mouth (also liquorice elsewhere) and finish little persistence. A little disappointed because although it remains good, unlike its big sister, honey there is only secondary and that without it, the drink is not much different from a simple dark belgian ale.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2011 21:02:50 | More by ThaCreep

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Barbar Winter Bok (aka Barbar Biere de Noel)

In the frosted Barbar handle mug, it appears dark brown, with a slim, tan head holding tight on top.

Aroma: Honey is evident, and doesn't contribute to too much sweetness, with orange there, too, and a nice drizzling of coriander. Interesting that the two main flavors of a wit are here in this dark winter offering, yet we don't really get the feel of a wit. The dark malts match those flavors to a t, although they don't add too many of their own. Some minor chocolate, a drip of molasses. (Or is that the honey tricking me?

Taste: sweet, smooth, and lightly spicy. Delcicious dark malt meets these sweet & spicy flavors, and I had to just call it a delight. It's not terrifically complex, but not everything has to be. It is medium to full body, and hangs in there on the palate, but doesn't overstay it's welcome. It's like sweet and lovely meets body and soul.

8% alcohol helps the heat and the warmth. Flavors are a total treat.

I'm still rather confused by the designation "book", while they yet call it an "ale". Maybe that word means something else in Belgium?

Something else weird, one the glass what looks like a sword and shield carrying amazon is a mono-toned outline, perhaps suggesting nudity? On the tap handle, the figure is clothed. Standards? Censorship? Whatever.It's a tasty brew, and I will return to it again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2010 06:46:38 | More by feloniousmonk

Fnord

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Black, with a reddish tint when held to the light. Thin, vanishing head that sticks to glass.

Smell - Sweet malt, brown sugar, Belgian yeast.

Taste - More brown sugar and sweet malt, honey, and bread. Is that a hint of cherry in the back?

Mouthfeel - Medium body, with medium carbonation. Nothing special.

Drinkability - It's sweet enough that I wouldn't want to drink more than one in a night, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this one.

Notes - I might not like this so much if I hadn't already had two sweet beers already tonight, so my palate is already accustomed to the sweetness. An interesting beer, I might try it again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2009 19:18:59 | More by Fnord

Bagman007

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap in a pint glass.

A- Very dark black appearance with not a whole lot of head.

S- Has a very sweet, somewhat spicy scent to it.

T- Tastes very, very sweet. Probably one of the sweeter beers I have ever tasted. Slightly hoppy.

M- Excellent carbonation and feel. Very sweet. Very smooth.

D- Sweet, but not too sweet to hurt it's drinkability. Very smooth.

Overall a really great beer. I've only had two of Brasserie Lefèbvre's beers, but they have both been spectacular.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2009 20:36:45 | More by Bagman007

armock

New York

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured a dark brown color with a tan head that leaves lacing

S - Is of sweet malt dark fruits and some spice

T - Follows the smell lots of sweet malt with some dark fruit and spice

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

D - For the 8% abv this beer was very easy to drink a good solid malty beer for the winter worth trying sometime

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2008 17:06:21 | More by armock

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's the other night.

The beer pours a very dark brown color with fairly good head retention and lacing. I don't get a lot on the nose, just a hint of sweet malt and spice. The beer is actually pretty intriguing on the palate. I get a sugar daddy caramel flavor, intertwined with almost a gingerale flavor. It's not bad. The beer is very light and soft on the palate, and frankly the 8% abv. is surprising. This does not come across as a big beer, and drinkabilty is pretty good. My only complaint is that over all the beer seems just a bit light and insipid, with some pretty simple flavors. Nevertheless, it's tasty enough and is fairly pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2008 15:19:29 | More by johnmichaelsen

EPICAC

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at Poechenellekelder in Brussels.

Appearance: Pours a hazy brown with a beige head that thins to a ring leaving patchy lace.

Smell: Dark fruit, spices and an almost evergreen aroma.

Taste: Sweet fruit and maltiness upfront. The finish is spicy with a light bitterness. A little too sweet.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Easy to drink, despite sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2006 23:02:42 | More by EPICAC

ernie

Russian Federation

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Dark brown liquid, majestic creamy head, carbonation low, bubbles big.

Smell honeyish, spicy, with a note of roasted malts.

Start sweetish, body full, spices and honey very well present in the general taste. Finish herbal, spicey with a hint of hops (finally!).

Not your everyday beer, but an interesting one. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2006 16:24:18 | More by ernie

texashammer

Texas

3.4/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

served in a smallish, fat, logo mug on draft. dark brown/orange with good, thick head that sticks around. smells of rich caramel and alcohol, with Belgian yeast. on the palate: burnt fruit, rich, some booze. medium full body, good but not terribly exciting.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2006 13:10:57 | More by texashammer

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

As this is a Belgium Beer, available nationally, it rightly circulates under two names; Barbãr Winterbok, or Barbãr de Noël, depending on where you originate. As I tried this in Holland, it was advertised and sold as the former.
A very dark, deep chestnut color with a deep red mahogany hue when held to the light. Difficult to tell whether this beer is clear or not, because it is served in a frosted glass, the same glass as its weaker sibling actually. This helps to mask, rather than hide, the turbid nature of this beer - for it is not totally clear on closer inspection. But then, as this is a Christmas Honey Beer, perhaps that is understandable. The head is a deep smooth fantastic looking tan color that has incredible staying power and is comprised of exceptionally small bubbles barely perceptible to the naked eye, maybe the Nitrogen-CO2 mixed dispense aids this.
Nose is of malt with a honeyed sweetness - so no surpises there then. Mouthfeel is a little lacking for an 8% beer. The Barbãr is a Pale Ale with added Honey, but I am not sure how this beer is “arrived at”, that is to say whether it is a separate brew, or a seasonal concotion, it certainly tastes like the former. Either way, it has a very accomplished introduction, a smooth silky mouthfeel that belies it strength. Roast malt sweetness at the start that lingers in the mouth a while. The sweetness eventually makes way for some caramel in the middle and a very bitter finish in the end, almost tastes as if it is dry-hopped. A highly accomplished, interesting and very quaffable beer – a really dangerous lunchtime beer (oops!), considering its high strength.
A superb beer that I found to be exceptionally drinkable from the Tap. I asked whether it was available in the Bottle and the answer was a 50-50 Yes/No split from those questioned, so who knows - perhaps it is?.
A definite 4/5 beer for me. A little more mouthfeel and this beer would really rock.
Tried on 11-26-02. Draft seasonal at the ‘t Proeflokaal, Netherlands.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2002 22:07:35 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Douberd

Netherlands

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

330 ml brown bottle, with a swing top cap, poured into a snifter glass. ABV is 8,5%.

Pours a very brown colour, almost black, with a good two finger head, beige in colour, with average retention. Very light lacing left behind, although some foam persists on the beer's surface.
Very nice sweet smell. Lots of honey in the aroma, pretty much overpowers everything else. Some light alcohol aroma too.
Taste is sweet-sour, with less honey now and more flavours of dark fruits,red grapes,molasses. Tastes quite like a good red wine.
Quite carbonated with a medium to full body.
Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 17:05:06 | More by Douberd

Pegasus

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Deep amber colored body, verges on black, surmounted by a thick, dense and creamy tan head, which retains well. Thin, fine-beaded lacing utterly coats the glass walls.

Aroma: Dark fruits and spices (coriander, cloves) dominate the aroma. There is also a fairly prominent aroma of dark bread. The purported orange rind is not discernible.

Taste: Opens with strong dark bread notes, soon after a subdued winter spice presence makes itself known, quickly followed by spicy, slightly warming alcohol. The dark malt offers some earthy, smoky flavors as the taste unfolds. Toward the end of the taste, bitter cocoa and earth notes assert, and a moderate wave of metallic hops draws the taste to a close.

Mouth feel: Smooth and fairly soft, a touch thin.

Drinkability/notes: Not spectacular, but neither is it bad. Worth a try on a cold Winter's night.

Presentation: Packaged in an eleven point two ounce Euro-style brown glass long neck bottle with a pry-off crown, served in a New Belgium Brewing chalice.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 01:29:50 | More by Pegasus

Aethien

Netherlands

3.28/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a dark brown with a fizzy tan head that fades to a thick film on the beer.

Smells like fruit, blackberries and blueberries mainly with some hints of strawberry in there as well. Slightly artificial fruit though. It's hard to smell anything past the fruits but there's some chocolaty malts in there as well, it's all very very sweet though. I loved the smell when I first got it but now that I'm drinking the beer it's less appetizing and a bit too artificially sweetened.

Taste is full of fruits again and just as sweet, it takes a lot of effort to taste much of anything past the fruity yeast and sweetness. Add a noticeable amount of alcohol to it and the thick, creamy mouthfeel and this beer is very enjoyable for the first few sips and goes downhill after that.

As mentioned, the mouthfeel is very thick and creamy, almost like you're drinking fruity yoghurt instead of beer.

Overall, this beer started out wonderful but went downhill quickly for me because of the overly sweet nose and taste and the thick mouthfeel that make it hard to drink. Still, it's worth trying, if only because it's so different from the norm for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 17:14:40 | More by Aethien

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 1 | overall: 3

This is no longer named Barbãr Winter Bok, it's just Barbãr Bok, and has been so for some time.

APEARANCE: Black runny body, not creamy looking. Craggy beige Belgian head.

SMELL: Chocolate, hint of dandelion & burdock, roasty malts.

TASTE: Bitter rum and coke alcohol flavour which is too strong. Non of the chocolate I was anticipating. Some dandelion & burdock, reminiscent of the Floreffe dubel by the same brewery. Tingly numbing sensation on the tongue which leads me to think it may be off but I see others have reported the same alcohol burn.

OVERALL: Lots of character but totally lacking in refinement. Alcohol flavour way out of control for an 8% beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 08:09:25 | More by Hoppsbabo

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - A very dark hazy brown, almost pitch black with a 1/2 inch of mocha colored head. Belgium dark ale indeed.

S - Smell is mostly fruity yeasts and dark fruits but I can smells some mild honey.

T - Well not much for sweetness of honey and the taste may impact some coriander or orange peel but the yeast and dark fruit is too overpowering to deliver those "hidden" qualities. Noticeable ABV makes it hard to drink.

M - It's medium to heavy so a very dark Belgium winter bock.

Overall I really don't like dark Belgium ales and this one assures of the dislike.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 05:13:47 | More by DrDemento456

Intrinsic

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I have to be honest, I don't even know if I'm reviewing the right beer or not. Mine just says Barbãr Bok, but it has all the same qualities that everyone else seems to report so I'll have to assume that's the one.

Its a very dark brown colour - even held up to the outside light you can hardly see through it. Nice light brown head, although it disappears quickly. Nice lacing.

The smell is sweet, with fruits and malt dominating but not overpowering. Its very nice, and leads well into the taste. I was worried the honey would make this way too sweet, but it's very well balanced by the bitter finish. It's also quite dry and well carbonated. Overall, this is a stand-out beer. It definitely lives up to the Belgian standard.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 19:48:23 | More by Intrinsic

Kacid

California

4.45/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a tulip Glass

Appearance: Pepsi-colored with a pepsi-like colored foam. Both fine and medium sized bubbles that float on a creamy head. Nice, thick lacing that follows the long-lasting head.

Nose: Anise, pepsi, sweet alcohol, herbal, herbal soda (like Mr.Green), spicy. Strong smell of honey
Warmed up: the nose smells like purple grape kool-aid, dark bitter chocolate becomes more prominent, as well as sweet red wine. Slightly unctuous. Lacing stuck thick to the entire glass

Flavour: Herbal, Pepsi, Bitter at the back of the toungue, Alcoholic burn at the back of the throat and tongue, dark/bitter chocolate malt, Honey and Brown sugar, dried fruits

WOW, i did not expect so much out of this beer, especially having never heard of it. It is an incredible Dark ale, complex flavours that only unfold more as it warms up. While it could pair well with some berry-like dark chocolate, i'd almost prefer to savour it alone to feel its complexity. Definitely worth a try! I'm keeping at least 1 of these in my fridge from now on

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 17:20:16 | More by Kacid

beerpirates

Belgium

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

33 cl bottel poured into my lost abbey stemware glass

Barbar bok brewed with 2.5% honey !

A: Black, with a reddish tint when held to the light. Thin, vanishing head that sticks to glass.

S: Sweet malt, brown sugar, honey , liquor , Belgian yeast.

T: More brown sugar and sweet malt, honey, and bread. Is that a hint of cherry in the back , also some hints of grand marnier ?

M: Medium body, with medium carbonation. Nothing special.

D: It's sweet enough that I wouldn't want to drink more than one in a night, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 19:23:04 | More by beerpirates

elNopalero

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle printed with a best by date of 2011 09 23 but picked up mid-November, 2011. That’s old stock, folks. I’m guessing it’s from last winter if it’s a seasonal release. Anyways…
This pours a malty brown color with a quite a bit of foam. There’s a molasses-malt syrup aroma. Tastes really sweet. Malty. A bit of orange peel, candied fruit. Cloyingly sweet. Bleah. Not my thing, and not one I’d try again.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 20:49:25 | More by elNopalero

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.28/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle pours a dark brown color with a few highlights around the edges. Light cap of tan foam showing little retention and lacing.

Nose is fruity and bready, akin to a trappist quad. Rich and fragrant with notes of raisin, plums and pineapple alcohol.

Wow, super fruity and rich. Full-bodied and a little metallic on the finish. Highly carbonated and the drinkability is fairly low on this one. I have a feeling this beer might be a love it/hate it type of brew. There are many BSDAs that are more complex, subtle and delicious than this readily available (see Chimay Blue), but this one will cure a curiosity for the unknown if one is so inclined. It is decent, just really not distinguishable.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 03:18:11 | More by twiggamortis420

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark amber with a bubbly off-white head that laces deep into the glass.

S: Gentle, sweet aromas of candy sugar, toffee, honey, raisins, plums, and figs are immediately noticeable. As the beer warms, a slight alcohol booziness comes through, but is never overpowering.

T: Opens sweet and fruity with notes of candy sugar, toffee, dark bread, cocoa, molasses, wildflower honey, raisins, plums, figs, and dates. The finish is sweet and warming with a swirl of dark fruit, honey, and alcohol flavors.

M: Medium-to-full bodied, oily, and slick. I did not find the carbonation to be all that noticeable, but this is a minor knock. The slickness of this beer makes it somewhat more drinkable than some of the fuller-bodied Belgian strong dark ales.

O: This is not the most complex strong dark ale, but it does have an appeal all its own. I particularly appreciated the fact that the honey does not get lost in the mix. This would definitely be one for fans of malty, sweet beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 12:10:54 | More by mrfrancis