Lucifer - Brouwerij Het Anker

Spider889

Ohio

3/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to keffa for sharing this at Jackie O's. While I have seen it a few times in stores it is the type of beer I'd normally never consider buying.

Clear, straw yellow with a very full white head. Left decent legs of lace.

Smells really funky and musty with spicy Belgian yest notes.

The taste is tough - huge dryness and bitterness dominates the palate. This also has overly harsh carbonation - biting, actually. Spicy clove is the main truly nameable flavor.

Dry finish with a CO2 dullness to the flavor. Very hoppy.

This was being compared to Duvel, which I get. It's like Duvel on acid - more everything: more carbonation, more funk, more bitterness, and most of it sadly in detriment to the beer.

Price isn't bad, as Kef said he bought the 750ml bottle for $7.99.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 23:29:11 | More by Spider889

keithmurray

New York

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - slightly hazy, straw color with fluffy white head

smell - vibrant bouquet of citrus, yeast, green apple, hint of alcohol

taste - belgian yeast, citrus, alcohol, pale malts, lemon zest

mouthfeel - medium to full bodied, heavily carbonated, slightly sweet upfront, slightly bitter and tart in the middle

overall - this is a good example of a BSPA, albeit a step below some of its bretheren within the style. Worth trying.

Price Point - $8.99/750ML bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 22:22:34 | More by keithmurray

DoubleJ

California

3.28/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Because I already possess the Lucifer branded snifter, I knew I had to buy a bottle of the beer. What I didn't expect was it to take more than six months since I bought the glass to purchase a bottle to fill it up. So, here goes a 330 ml bottle with a best by July 2012, on to the beer:

A murky straw colored beer with a thick and soapy color on the pour, eventually dropping to a thin lace. The nose is worrisome, as it features some rusty malt and touch of cardboard along with decent fruit and sugar aromas.

There isn't as much off-flavor action in its taste as the nose. It's a reasonable pleasure, offering pear, honey, pineapple, spicy alcohol heat, and a little huskiness getting in the way. Closer to medium than full bodied, somewhat airy, a little alcohol felt.

A solid strong blonde from the folks that brought us Gouden Carolus. I imagine that a bottle without the defects would rate higher, though it has a lot of work to do if it wants to meet its stablemates. At least the label is really cool.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 04:28:30 | More by DoubleJ

metter98

New York

3.7/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear straw yellow in color and has a high amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a massive 2+ finger high white head that has excellent retention properties, as it took a long time to settle down and consistently left a small head covering the surface.
S: There are light to moderately strong aromas of apples and bananas in the smell.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of fruits as well as pale malts and yeast; notes of spices are present in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied, dry and a bit smooth on the palate with a high amount of carbonation.
O: This is a beer that you want to use a tulip glass for to capture its massive head. It’s quite drinkable for the style and the alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 20:10:13 | More by metter98

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy yellow color topped with a thin head. Aroma is very 'yeasty,' with pineapple, lemon, tangerine, and flower petal notes throughout. Flavor is a pleasantly sweet and subtle. Bubblegum or candy comes to mind. Alcohol presence is hidden well. Classic Belgian Pale. Good, but not on the level of many others that are readily available.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 04:17:33 | More by Neorebel

emartell

3.23/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Cerveza con delicioso aroma a cebada, y ligeramente a otros granos.
Su color es dorado, opaco y turbio.
Al primer trago da la sensación furtementa carbonatada, sin embargo posteriormente se deja sentir la cebada, alcohol, lo cual la hace sumamente refrescante.
En general una buena Belgian Strong Ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 05:30:17 | More by emartell

draheim

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL bottle (no dates or codes) into a tulip. Pours a pale yellow w/ an enormous creamy bright head. Sticky chunks of lacing cling to the glass. Light carbonation.

Aroma is floral, spicy w/ a mild lemony zing. Just a subtle hint of musty yeast.

Taste is clean pale malt, yeast, and hops. A delicate balance of basic flavors. Water is a key ingredient too. Very slight candi sugar sweetness, increasing as it warms.

Mouthfeel is smooth, semi-dry.

Overall a light, clean, drinkable Belgian pale.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 06:40:15 | More by draheim

beerpirates

Belgium

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

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

S - Is of sweet malt some citrus and alcohol

T - Starts off a little sweet with some lemon citrus finishes with a touch of alcohol

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

D - Overall this is a good beer with a good taste that makes it easy to drink

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 09:48:11 | More by beerpirates

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-slightly cloudy light yellow with a lot of bubbles and a good amount of white head

S-pale Belgian malts. Bubble gum sweetness. Some corn. Medium strength

T- comes in with a sweet taste of raw Belgian malts. Some bubble gum. Some dog breath. Pretty crisp. Matching after taste.

M-high carbonation with a good crisp finish

O- pretty good. This disappeared rather quickly. I appreciate any Belgian I can quaff. Some of the flavors do seem a bit artificial for a true Belgian, but it does have a lot of raw flavors too. It's definitely worth a try

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 03:26:32 | More by AdamBear

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very easy flowing take on a Belgian Golden Ale

Presentation: 750 ml brown caged and corked bottle. Simple and succinct label with an image of a flame over black background and a new logo where a small symbol of Lucifer rest over the branding. Big rebranding after the transfer from Het Hanker playing far more explicitly with the name. Minimal description of the brew on the side. Another step backwards with the disappearance of any freshness date, which their previous branding did carry… Shows 8% Alc. by Vol. Poured into a tulip glass.

A - Hazy golden pour with a rich frothy head, good retention, fair surface memory, and good lacing.

S - Yeasty and fruity nose, touch of pepper, lemon… A bit standard but rather pleasing...

T - Soft sweet maltiness with a touch of spices, citric touches, rather lemony at one point over grassy notes...

M - Light/medium body with generous carbonation initially that holds with a nice tingle over a smooth ride and a spicy-dry finish.

O -Very quaffable and easy flowing for a brew of this magnitude. A nice offering.

Notes: Riva to Het Hanker… Maybe actually there is a slight jump in quality. I did like the preceding Lucifer but his one is a touch lighter, and maybe a bit more lemony, which sorta feels better on this occasion for my palate. Now, under the offer that finally made me give it a go in this new inaction this one is well worth picking up and sharing socially, but the regular overblown pricing I see for this one in some establishment of the area is way off, and makes one wonder if they simply play with the novelty that it may be for some to get a brew with this branding…

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 09:41:26 | More by Daniellobo

9InchNails

New Jersey

2.65/5  rDev -30.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

When I popped the cork the beer erupted and spilled on my floor. I poured it into my snifter. The snow white head stayed for a little bit but faded some so I could pour more into the snifter. Straw color body that is slightly hazy. It looks very carbonated.

Grain, grass, floral and some peppery spice. It's okay smell, nothing special.

Incredibly bland grain, grass and a muted pepper taste at the end. The Belgian yeast is lacking. BORING!

Light body, reminds me of sparkling water with a little less carbonation and dry.

Stay away from this! Not horrible, just not good. Bland, boring and disappointing. I hope this is a bad batch, I'm not spending anymore time on this.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 06:58:36 | More by 9InchNails

Philousa

California

3.33/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed on tap at the Pacific Beach Tap Room, SD, CA 12/28/11.

Served a cloudy straw color, 1 finger head with active carbonation. Fluffy lacing left on the glass with each drink. Lots of yeast in the aroma, banana and lemon esters. Not much malt, though I can tell there is a mild pale ale in there somewhere. Caramelized banana, alcohol, then lingering yeast funk with wheat biscuit flavor. A bit of clove spiciness and a bit of nuttiness. This feels a bit watery but creamy. Dry alcohol finish.

Although a solid beer, this came across as a tripel that was lacking in some way. I've had St. Feuillien triple that served up a better banana and citrus ester flavor/aroma. Piraat loves the alcohol burn. St. Bernardus is the uber balanced tripel. This lies somewhere in the middle. I love the mouthfeel, though. I guess I'm a little torn, but ultimately this is a beer that is lacking in some way compared to other awesome Belgians. Good, but not to die for.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 07:13:36 | More by Philousa

thadbme

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Lucifer

A: Pours a golden yellow with a full finger of head and heavy carbonation. Almost hefewizen like in appearance. Lots of bubbles on top, seems to be a lively beer. Its not transparent, has a cloudy look.

S: Smells similar to a hefe with a lot of wheat smell. Not a hint of alcohol or booz smell. Can't really tell too much else other than the wheat smell to it.

T: Has some heavy carbonation, and a light wheat taste to it. It reminds me of similar wheats, a bluemoon or something similar to that. It definately has more carbonation to it. Its ever so slightly bitter in its taste.

M: Light body with heavy carbonation. Heavy head feel in your mouth, almost a foamy type taste to it. IMO its a little too heavy on the carbonation, but if you like it fizzy... this is for you.

O: Its a good brew for sitting around drinking. This really strikes me as a more craft like blue moon. Its stronger for sure, but the taste is there. I'm not knocking it as I think this is something my wife would like and be okay with. I'd rather have a darker ale if I were going to pick something though.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 00:46:19 | More by thadbme

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a very cloudy straw gold with quick dying two finger head that left minimal lace patches on top of an aroma that mixed some sour funkiness and yeast along with citric notes (lemon, orange peel) and spices like clove and pepper. A light body that is easy to drink and smooth yet retains a crispness thanks to lively carbonation and some spicy notes on the backend. Some sugary goodness balances out citric tartness so the beer is neither too tart or sweet. Also, picked up touches of other light fruit like pear or white grape skin that give off a sweet fruit taste and a sour note or two as well. This is an easy to drink and flavorful ale and I'm glad its back.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 23:48:05 | More by clayrock81

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear gold with a huge, rocky white head that takes forever to settle.

S: Aromas of biscuits, lemon, bitter orange, and cream are very evident on the nose. This ale smells a little softer than many other Belgian strong pale ales.

T: Notes of cream, biscuits, lemon, bitter orange, kumquat, grass, and peppery alcohol wash over the palate. The finish is citrusy and warming with big lemon, alcohol, and grass notes.

M: Full bodied and chewy, but with noticeable carbonation. Smoother than some ales of this style.

O: This is a very solid Belgian strong pale ale, but do not expect it to bring anything new or exciting to the table.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 13:34:57 | More by mrfrancis

rand

California

4.08/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From tap to Palm tulip glass

Pours straw-yellow in color, hazy, almost creamy in appearance, forms a crafted, tightly bubbled head. Notes of freshly baked bread, lemon and ripe banana float from the glass. The tastes follow suit as a combination of pastries and lemon pepper coats the palate. Chewy but carbonated, the brew delivers a satisfying complexion without weighing down the palate. Eminently drinkable, could work as a session brew if it wasn't for the sneaky 8% ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 03:36:51 | More by rand

Bierlerner

Oklahoma

3.7/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A- Clear golden straw color and. Nice thick 2-3 finger head that sits around awhile. Little bit of lacing.

S- Subtle belgian spices and yeasts. Hints of lemon and bananas and phenols are high. Overall, really faint in the aroma.

T- Phenols are definitely present. Nice lemon zest background. Subtle belgian spices and yeasts. Pleasant.

M- ABV seems very present. Medium body and high carbonation.

O- Not the best BSPA I've had, but its nice nonetheless. I really enjoyed this. In the future, I might seek others first. But I will revisit.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 00:10:45 | More by Bierlerner

ksimons

New York

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-a hazy yellow gold with two fingers worth of white head

S-pale malts, yeast, slight bitterness, and spices

T-similar to the smell, mix of pale malts and bitter hops, light fruits, yeast, and a spicy finish. Abv is well hidden

M-medium body, high carbonation

Another solid beer from Het Anker, very drinkable as the alcohol isn't too apparent, and great mix of malts and hops

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 22:46:56 | More by ksimons

Beerenauslese

California

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Pizzeria Paradiso in Georgetown, Washington, DC.

Body is hazy golden, not much head, a little lacing.

Smells of light malt and lemon.

Tastes of light malts, belgian yeast, lemons, hops.

Mouthfeel is light and fizzy.

Overall, a very refreshing golden ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2011 03:02:45 | More by Beerenauslese

Tone

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, gold color. Two inch head of a white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of sweet malt, slight alcohol, hint of pale malt, hint of citrus hops, hint of spice, and a hint of dough. Fits the style of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, pale malt, hint of citrus hops, slight spice, and a hint of alcohol. Overall, good blend, appearance, aroma, and body.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2011 21:15:55 | More by Tone

Brent

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours mid-pale gold with a tight, quick head. A little sharp up front, and the flavor profile is solidly in the Belgian Strong Pale Ale tradition. Alcohol is a bit prominent, seeming even bigger than the 8% listed here. Teetered on the edge of harsh, but managed to pull back enough to be drinkable. Still just a touch hot, though.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 13:16:43 | More by Brent

karait95

Mexico

3.7/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: nice looking, yellow pale color not translucent but cloudy,, carbonation is good enough for keeping a permanent layer on top of the beer, the head is really impressive, big, with, compact and dissipates slowly, after disappear leaves behind a lot of traces on the glass.

S: fruits can be sensed at once it is not to intense but also some malts are present, at some point the alcohol is felt not bad considering the style.

T: some faint sweet flavor maybe some citrus or fruits but it is replace fastly with the malts with alcoholic sensation.

M: sweetness and bitterness are well balanced the ending is good a little dry but with good lasting mostly bitter and complex.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 01:38:32 | More by karait95

Meerkey

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Big, white, foamy head. Pale, dull gold. Few bubbles.

S: Spices - cloves, yeast. Some fruit - bananas.

T: Tart, spicy. Citrus hops. Yeast and grains. Kind of tastes like a tripel, but not as sweet.

M: Carbonation, sweet, drying.

O: A nice beer. Tastes good. Will drink again. Recommend.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 23:22:33 | More by Meerkey

AgentMunky

California

4.45/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a St Bernardus goblet.

A: Big, white, billowing head. Small amounts of bubbles within a straw-yellow, if brilliant, beer. Backlighting results in a gorgeous glow. Some scattered lace.

S: Subdued, if pleasant. Yeast, grassy/floral hops, and a tinge of spice.

T: Nice BSPA. I especially enjoy the clean, floral-hopped aftertaste. The maintaste is spicy, a bit tart (lemons), and yeastily typical. Pretty great in every way, if we're being honest. Not exceptional, mind, but an exemplar of the style.

M: Titillating, drying, and always interesting.

O: I was apprehensive, as a lover of Gouden Carolus, that this beer would let me down, but I am not disappointed. A superlative Belgian Strong Pale Ale -- one of the finest -- and highly recommended. Will drink again.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 23:18:30 | More by AgentMunky

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured out surprisingly clear looking. I thought for sure there would be some haze to this one. The color of the beer was a bright yellow, the head was big and fluffy white. The lacing was scattered and soapy looking. The smell of the beer had a nice floral quality to it along with some Belgian yeast in there too. The taste of the beer got better as it warmed up. The flavors of some light hops and floral spice come in strong here. The mouthfeel was light and bubbly. Overall I like this beer, found it to be pretty enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 03:57:07 | More by Knapp85