Taras Boulba - Brasserie de la Senne

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

11-25-2011 16:37:52 | More by Neffbeer

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4/5  rDev 0%

05-19-2013 18:04:16 | More by DeutschesBier

magictacosinus

California

3.71/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured on tap at Trappist Provisions into a 6oz wine glass. Review is from my notes.

Pours a pale golden color with a 2 finger of white head and loads of carbonation that streak the entire glass almost to the point of making it look cloudier than it really is. As it clears up, the head eventually dies down, but it does retain a lively, champagne-like feel with all of the extra carbonation. Not too viscous overall, as expected, but also looks pretty thickened. Looks like a standard, great take on the BPA style.

The aroma is surprisingly bitter and spiced up, consisting of BIG grassy, bittered dry hops, as well as slightly toasted grains with an off smoked flavor, and spices ranging from black pepper to cumin (?). Definitely not what I expected at all, but De la Senne is known for the experimental releases. At the same time, it is rather normalized as it is low in ABV and a relatively simple recipe stable... However, what they've done with the hops definitely makes it stand out. There's not much of a malty backbone to make out, but the dried, crisp grainy flavor as well as the grass and even leaves (as it warms up) is pretty interesting. Could do less with the overly toasted flavor, but otherwise, it's quite good.

The flavor is exactly what I thought it would be, with the palate getting coated with bittered, dry golden grains and grassy, floral hops. Not too much citrus here, in fact, but undeniably rustic and grassy. Super raw, although the grains at times do feel diminished with the strong hoppy character. I can make out some slight fruitiness, such as dry cider, but I'm getting loads of other wild notes such as tree sap, dried earth, white peppers, and brown grass. It's really fascinating and reveals a lot of these rustic notes in the long run, especially as it warms up. Body is slightly thin, but contains enough carbonation to hold this together in the long run.

At first I was pretty thrown off by all of the wild spicy and earthy flavors, but the more I consumed this the more I realized that a Belgium take on an American session beer is pretty great, as you do get the slightly fruity, funky yeasty phenols here, as well as the spices and dried hop resins, without having to worry about getting plastered after one or two glasses (I'm looking at you, Westmalle Tripel). A very good offering from De la Senne and probably one of the tastiest beers I've had recently that's under 5%. I could stock up on these in the future for casual evenings, no doubt.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2013 18:10:40 | More by magictacosinus

wer3w01f

Russian Federation

3.25/5  rDev -18.8%

05-06-2013 12:53:18 | More by wer3w01f

Prince_Casual

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

05-01-2013 19:02:01 | More by Prince_Casual

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy light to medium golden yellow in color with some apricot highlights, light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation, and a moderate amount of fine yeast particles in suspension. The beer has a three finger tall dense foamy head that slowly reduces to a medium sized finger tall thick patch (almost cap-like) along with a very thin film covering the majority of the remainder of the surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of Belgian yeast, herbal and spicy hops, as well as some lighter notes of pale malts.

T: Upfront there is a light flavor of pale malts that is quickly overtaken by the moderate flavors of the Belgian yeast and hops - I detect spicy (peppery) as well as herbal hops. Light to moderate amounts of bitterness which fade pretty quickly.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Moderate amounts of dryness.

O: This beer is easy to drink and sessionable, the beer has a low ABV and wonderful taste/smell of yeast and hops. I could enjoy several of these and it was refreshing on this warm spring afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 22:25:03 | More by dbrauneis

Hollanthropist

United Kingdom (England)

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

04-05-2013 17:51:45 | More by Hollanthropist

MRsojourner

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

musty, hay, chalky, yeasty aroma
golden color with a bit of orange hues and a rocky bubbly head
The taste strikes you with a bit of sweetness like an orange creamsickle at first and soon follows with grapefruit pith bitterness but it's not lingering. the bitterness is a short burst and it finishes dry.
the mouthfeel is medium and creamy and well carbonated.
overall it's a very drinkable Belgian pale that could serve as a everyday beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 00:33:17 | More by MRsojourner

aranton

New York

4/5  rDev 0%

03-27-2013 01:13:44 | More by aranton

Willytee3

New York

4/5  rDev 0%

03-25-2013 04:47:05 | More by Willytee3

BrockettBrewing

Vermont

5/5  rDev +25%

03-17-2013 20:28:11 | More by BrockettBrewing

spycow

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

03-11-2013 05:51:29 | More by spycow

Guinnsslvr

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

03-09-2013 21:22:32 | More by Guinnsslvr

metter98

New York

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: The beer is slightly hazy golden yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation along with some fine particles floating in suspension. It poured with a finger high bright white head that gradually died down, leaving a thin head covering the surface and lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of herbal and spicy hops are present in the nose along with some hints of Belgian yeast.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is dominated by grassy, herbal and peppery spicy flavors from the hops, the latter of which lingers through the finish. A light amount of bitterness is present.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a rather dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The low alcohol content makes the beer very sessionable but it is still packed with lots of hoppy and yeasty flavors making it comparable to some of the top Belgian Pale Ales.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 01:16:49 | More by metter98

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.09/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Beer is cloudy golden, with a medium-sized snow white head. Good lacing, moderate retention.

Interesting nose. Bubblegum, banana, floral notes and Belgian yeast, along with some hops: citrus notes, mainly orange. Has some similarities to a weisse, but no wheat.

Taste is quite bitter, particularly for a Belgian. Creamy, with yeast flavours. Orange and some citrus, light fruits. Bready. Again, I am surprised it is only barley making up the grain bill.

Very creamy, smooth. Medium bodied and moderately carbonated.

Overall, quite good indeed. Unique and nice.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 20:14:24 | More by jrenihan

mitlinks

Switzerland

4/5  rDev 0%

02-22-2013 20:16:27 | More by mitlinks

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.14/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a 330 ml brown bottle into an unbranded tulip glass

Pours a hazy pale, straw yellow capped by a billowing two finger bright white head. Excellent retention, significant lacing. Grassy hops, Belgian yeast, hay, and flora. Typical Belgian yeastiness, pear, grass, and hints of dried dried apricot. Finishes with mildly bitter green tea and just a hint of fresh mint. Light-bodied, slick with a hint of creaminess. A personal favorite among Belgian pale ale. Throroughly enjoyable everytime.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 03:21:02 | More by chanokokoro

FLBeerGuy

Florida

4/5  rDev 0%

02-06-2013 02:10:34 | More by FLBeerGuy

Todd

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev 0%

02-02-2013 21:27:22 | More by Todd

CwrwAmByth

United Kingdom (Wales)

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 330ml bottle into a St. Thomas chalice glass.

Pours a nice hazy yellow-golden colour with a decent sized white head.

Smells of hops: fresh, slight pepper.

Tastes fairly hop forward: not over-the-top citrus, light fruit, hint of pepper/spice; and light biscuity malts. Fairly well balanced though the hops are very much out there when cold. Fairly substantial mouthfeel.

Overall a pretty nice beer, different from the usual Belgian offerings in it's hop forward taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 00:42:39 | More by CwrwAmByth

Jspriest

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

01-14-2013 22:28:15 | More by Jspriest

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.26/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint. Pours out a hazy straw. Refermented in the bottle so it makes sense. Very nice two inch head, amazing lace retention.

The smell is heavy mineral, grain and grass. A bit boring, but not bad.

The taste saves it from being mediocre by quite a bit. Pale malts start it off, with fresh mown grass and citrus quick to follow. A hint of spice and Belgian yeast follow, finished by more citrus. Tons of flavor for a 4.5% beer. Goes down very well, smooth and light.

I haven't ever had a more delicious session beer. For being so light, this beer kicks some tastebud ass!

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 01:48:58 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4/5  rDev 0%

01-09-2013 23:24:28 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

Kelp

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

01-05-2013 02:23:22 | More by Kelp

wdarcy77

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

01-01-2013 20:41:39 | More by wdarcy77