Zinnebir - Brasserie de la Senne

kojevergas

California

2.68/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

"Zinne Bir." Brussels' People Ale. 5.8% ABV. .33l brown glass bottle served into a goblet. Reviewed from notes taken in Belgium in June 2010.

A: Pours a one finger very thin head of bad retention and hardly any cream. Body colour is a light murky gold.

Sm: Bittering hops reminiscient of a tame IPA. Very dry. My broken nose detects little else. All apologies, lads.

T: Caramelized malt body leads to a bittering hop climax. Finish is biteen bland and the open is uneven. Very simple for the style - surprisingly so. Not bold or exciting. Balanced decently and built alright, but even as a traditional beer in the style, it's rather boring.

Mf: Smooth and wet, with coarseness on the climax where the bittering hops emerge. Complements the flavours alright.

Dr: Relatively high ABV for more traditional examples of the style. Easy to drink, but priced a bit highly by local standards. This is a beer worth trying but don't expect much from it.

C-

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 18:51:25 | More by kojevergas

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle. ½ Pint glass. Enjoyed on jul´12. Foggy yellow appearance. White, small bubbled, froth. Close & creamy crown leaves copious rings. Floral & herbal aromas with bready hues & citric notes to the nose. Malty flavor at first sip followed by oily hops, ripe fruit touches & subtle grapefruit, wheaty notes too. Medium body. Soft to moderate carbonation. Oily texture & flavorful palate. Gentle fruit & sharp bitterness in the middle linger into the dry finish. Refreshing & very easy drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 07:22:18 | More by GONZALOYANNA

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.58/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this a lot on tap in Brussels in 2006. Now drinking from a bottle in Denver at a fussy tasting...well, not too fussy!! Gold copper...small lingering head. Big aroma with sweet malts. Lovely flavor, body, after notes. Hum... smooth, complex, got some tastes some won't like and it may be oxidation from transportation, but I find it wonderful.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 23:46:57 | More by DenverLogan

GinaBeerInc

California

3.33/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Hazy dark straw-colored body with abundant yeast sediment, thick puffy buff head. Herbal aroma, rich with flower petals and a touch of light fruit, biscuity. Light bready body, estery, coming across as an herbal tea with flower petals and bitterness and light sugary notes. Crisp palate with decent complexity. Good.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 20:04:36 | More by GinaBeerInc

DeanMoriarty

California

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up an 11.2 OZ for $2.99 at Olive Tree Market here in OB and poured it into a Forestinne branded stemmed tulip glass.

A: Pours a lightly hazy orange hue with a fat white head that gives way to nice lacing from start to finish, with a good deal of chunky sediment that is a bit too much for my liking. I'm down for unfiltered but this is just too much.

S: Crackery sweet malt, light fruity esters with a mellow hop presence in the mix as well.

T: Similar to the nose but with a very prevalent yeast flavor that has a tiny bit of nice funk to it that I didn't get in the smell, sour apples, black peppercorn and wood that are all balanced amazingly well.

M: Lively carbonation which works well with the style, on the lighter side of medium bodied, finishing very crisp and dry.

Overall a great ale and one that goes well beyond the confines of a "pale ale". The funk is great and was not expected. My one gripe is the appearance - way to much floating around in my glass and made me want to leave the last few sips.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 00:59:01 | More by DeanMoriarty

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Zinnebir

11.2 oz bottle, carefully poured. A hazed gold in color, little head to speak of. Some particles of yeast are there.
Aroma is comprised of floral hops and Belgian ale yeast fruityness.
In the taste, soft Belgian yeast muted by an impressive earthy bitterness. Soft fruityness, like that in a Tripel, but lighter, and with a firm hop stance. It achieves a rather even balance, herbal, leafy citrusy hops, phenolic yeast and pale malt base.
Mouthfeel is also quite nice, light to medium on the palate, with a very appealing dry finish.
Overall, a solid Belgian Blonde/Pale ale with a hop presence.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 07:46:59 | More by Stinkypuss

champ103

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden/orange color. A two finger white head forms at first, but recedes in a second. The head is easily rejuvenated with a swirl or another poor. Though that fades in a second again. Light lace.
S: Big funk in the nose. Earthy and barnyard. Along with some biscuit malts and wood. Some orange/citrus like hops in the finish.
T: Again, big funk and barnyard flavors. This is really similar to Orval. Really tastes like Brett to me, and am a little surprised that no one else has really mentioned it. Pale and biscuit like malts with a lingering bitterness. I love it.
M/D: A medium body that is just slightly thin on the carbonation. Though very dry and smooth. Easy to drink. I will finish the bottle with ease.

I really like this. To me it is very much like Orval with a bit more hops, but I am not 100% sure that is what this is suppose to be. More bottles are needed for me to determine, and if they are it will be a treat to find out. Something I would highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 03:58:35 | More by champ103

jibbyvonjibb

California

3.68/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

small bottle @Brussels

A: copper color. fairly clear beer.
S: I smell oolong tea and strong jasmine scent.
T: Maybe some gooseberry. Finishes very dry for a Belgian blonde, with a slightly tannic aftertaste.
M: There is a velvety mouthfeel, which I usually associate with fermented candi sugar, though that is not necessarily the case here.
O: It's a very drinkable brew, with herbal notes and a dry finish. I found the jasmine smell/taste to be somewhat overpowering, but I'd probably try it again to make sure that it wasn't a product of circumstances. In conclusion: fairly drinkable, but not anything to seek out or pay a lot of money for.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 18:47:22 | More by jibbyvonjibb

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

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

Pours a dim peachy blonde with a white foamy head. Some floaters and bubble, a little lace.

Husk, some booze, and bitter orange in the nose.

Bitter and malty up front. Dry, no sugar at all. Some orange rind, husky grain, and grassy malt. This is a grown-up beverage.

Medium bodied with good carbonation. I thought this would be harder to drink, but I found myself taking bigger sips. Worthy. Good version of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 12:29:09 | More by OtherShoe2

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Large domed head. Settles quietly and leaves some blanketing lace. Appropriately cloudy with an orange tinged deep amber color.

Surprisingly fresh hop aroma. Excellent balance with pleasantly malted pale grains giving this a light nuttiness. Light alcohol in the background.

There's an interesting blend of berry (malt) and pepper (hop). This beer does NOT have the typical Belgian yeast flavor. Superior richness to the brew. The carbonation is adequate. The aftertaste is primarily floral hop bitterness that doesn't last too long. Overall, a very desirable Belgian pale ale without the Belgian yeast kick.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2011 23:25:55 | More by smcolw

richmof

Belgium

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap on this occasion in Kafka: pours an orangey amber with a nice creamy head and decent lacing.

Orangey hops on the nose, opening up to an orangey caramel on the palate. Nicely hopped mild bitterness cutting through any sweetness, with a pleasant earthy component. This is an amber I can drink plenty of.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2010 22:03:17 | More by richmof

ThaCreep

Belgium

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nose very sweet offering of fine hops in the nose. The palate is warm and silky and offers a bitter pungent which is very similar to that of a beer of low fermentation commonplace. Apart from this little bitterness that is not really pleasant but may interest some of its length on the palate, it lacks a little flavor in post-taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2010 11:51:19 | More by ThaCreep

ahalloin

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 33cl bottle into a Gouden Carolus tulip glass. Pours a vibrant champagne like deep yellowy-gold color with a white, one finger-width head. Bubbles continue to break for the surface from all around the glass keeping a nice ring of foam stable at the top.

Nice balanced aroma with some sweet fruitiness, yeasty bread, and spicy hop notes. A little bit of sweet toffee permeates the aroma as well.

The taste is spot on for the style and very nice. There is a sweet toffee-like flavor up front carried on a wealth of carbonation with hints of citrus fruit. The dry-finish brings about an earthy bitterness that is very refreshing.

The mouthfeel is great for the style, with a good amount of carbonation carrying the effervescent liquid.

The only drawback to drinkability might be the powerfully earthy-bitter finish that lingers long in the palette.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2009 00:07:02 | More by ahalloin

augustgarage

California

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750mL bottle into my Troubadour tulip. I think this bottle is fresh (bought it the day it arrived at the liquor store), but without a bottled on or best before date, I'm not entirely sure. I'm rating this as an "Artisanal Blond" rather than a traditional Belgian Pale.

Luminous yet hazy amber and golden poppy liquid with boiling carbonation contributing to the enormous crown of rich rocky ivory which forms a butte overlooking a broad valley of foam. Lacing is sticky, thick and solid, leaving behind ornate patterns of merengue.

Orange peel, pepper, almond and grass in the nose. Sweet tangy pale malt character merges with spicy yeast notes and a zippy hop component.

Sourdough biscuits, wheat germ, orange peel, and heady phenols balanced by a clean, strong, slightly fruity hop bitterness on the palate. Dry, earthy finish with an avalanche of clove, pepper, saffron, and rye. Slight "forest" flavor as well. Refreshing yet filling all at once.

Smooth, creamy yet spritzy, effervescent, and medium-bodied mouthfeel.

Hoppy and spicy, and nearly sessionable, try this in place of a Saison after a few hours of physical labor.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 23:26:58 | More by augustgarage

Travlr

District of Columbia

3.7/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Cloudy straw colored with a large white head and good lacing. Interesting musty aroma with hints of pepper and spice. Taste is surprisingly hoppy and bitter, with notes of citrus. Sort of a combination of a lambic and an IPA, if that makes any sense.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2009 15:39:12 | More by Travlr

philipquarles

Louisiana

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

75cl bottle that isn't terribly fresh. Pours ruddy blonde with a huge, rocky white head that lasts and lasts. Great lacing. Great yeasty aroma, with big tropical fruit esters. Fairly bready malt, with a hint of grass/hay. The malt takes front seat in the taste, coming through with the same breadiness. Slightly earthy. Definite aromatic hop presence, though it's subdued compared to what it is in fresh bottles. Very dry, and utterly drinkable. Up to the normal De la Senne standard, though it shines even more when fresh.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 00:47:16 | More by philipquarles

Vancer

Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -30%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Capped and corked green 750 bottle, pops like a champaign, and even pours like one with the fizzy golden yellow brew bubbling up in the ol' Corsendonk tulip. Massive white head and some sheet lacing really round out the opening.

Spicy malt in the aroma and the quaff. Also noting some woody resin in the finish - which is a bit harsh for me. No hint of any booze, but then again this is a relative light weight at 6%

Not too tasty, I'll pass on this one from here on out, especially with the high dollar import pricing.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2009 19:08:14 | More by Vancer

rtepiak

Poland

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pour is cloudy orange with a nice soapy head that contracts into dense pockets. nice lace. nose of clean dry earth straw and light floral. fruitier than most. nose of honey, pollen, and lemon zest. the beer is sweeter than most but also very well balanced with a straw earth hop character, and a honey malt pollen quality. this sets a wonderful backbone for its style. sweetness light in orange, clementine juice, and a pepperiness that sat with the hops. a dry character that worked into the earth to give it a musky quality that most lack, drying with a nice soap finish on the tongue of peppermint. yet a wonderful backed malt that was fruit and pollen.

had it again in the summer of 2010 and it was very solid... remember it having a bit more latitude before. same great body.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2009 08:15:33 | More by rtepiak

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Shared a bottle in Ghent. I'd seen this beer before back in the states but never paid attention to it until a friend ordered a bottle. What a surprise, this was a great Belgian ale. It appeared a hazy orange with a tall white head. What I really like was the fresh paired of hops with the fruity/spicy Belgian yeast character. The citrus notes of the hops led before the beer dove into caramel malt and a final, long bitter aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2009 14:57:24 | More by tempest

bryanbrick

California

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

A solid Belgium Blonde, full of character and charm. Nice rocky lasting head with little spots of lacing. A treat to pour and watch settle.

I like the straw and bitter hops aromas of pine needle and dried grass. This has ever the slightest bit of funk to the nose that develops as the beer warms in the glass.

With a persistent bitterness and bite this would be great with some freshly cased sausages or a batch of frites. Surprisingly creamy given the context surrounding it with low carbonation and a round feel.

This is fun stuff and something any blonde/pale fan should try at least once. I don't think it is going to change anyone's life but that is OK right?

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2009 04:00:36 | More by bryanbrick

mdagnew

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle bought from Tuckers Maltings...

Poured a light golden orange colour with coppery hints. Slightly off white head poured big and billowy and faded slowly to thick frothy layer.. good sticky patchy lacing... lots of carbonation bubbles rush to the surface...

Aroma - Lots of grassy spiciness, yeasty, tart fruits (limes, lemon peel, sour apples), chalky notes, light breadiness, quite floral, faint candy sugar, some basil and thyme herbalness, the faintest hint of marzipan...

Taste - Tart spicy fruits (lemons, grapefruits, apples), pithy notes, quite a lot of yeastiness, floral honey, quite perfumed, light earthy funk, grassy hops, chalky, coriander, peppery, definitely some basil herbalness...

M&D - Sharp and dry with a little smoothness coming through... Light body... Extremely refreshing and drinkable - would be nice on a hot summers day...

Overall - A top class Belgian pale ale... As good as any i've had...

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2009 10:36:17 | More by mdagnew

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a golden color ale with a big foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aromas of dry hops are dominating with a bready yeast presence. Taste is also a very nice mix between some dry Noble hops with a nice Belgian malt profile and somewhat bready yeast. Full body with good carbonation and no alcohol. Very well done and easily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2008 18:26:14 | More by Phyl21ca

tpd975

Florida

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Sea Bass for this one.

A: Pours a cloudy yellow color with a nice big bold head. The retention is great and there is tons of lace.

S: Hints of lemon grass and belgian yeast really pour from the glass. There is some sweet malt and a bit of believe it or not funk.

T: Nice light taste. Hints of sweet fruit, malt, yeast, and spicy hops.

M: Light in body.

D: Pretty drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2008 16:40:05 | More by tpd975

Kraken

Maryland

3.15/5  rDev -22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Poured from Capped 750ml bottle into standard pint glass. This beer was capped and corked. Removed cap to suspisious hiss as if the cork didn't really do its job. Upon inspection, there was a small but noticable amount of beer between cap and cork. Cautiously removed cork and poured beer. Cork had an off color, I have a feeling that this beer was corked. Appearance was a slightly hazy straw color. Mild pour yields a head that reluctantly clung to the top of the beer. Beer smelled of light malt, a very mild hop, and strong smell of funky cork. Taste was lightly sweet, faint hint of very light hopping, firm and malt, substancial funk (not in a positive way) and corkiness. A nice mouth feel, but fairly undrinkable. I might have to pick up another bottle to confirm spoiled nature of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2008 15:04:33 | More by Kraken

Crosling

Colorado

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

Yellow color with a full, well lasting and well shaped head of foam. Lovely aromatics and flavors. Just a pleasure to drink. Fresh, bright, lively. Incredible nuance. Fruit, barnyard, leather, honey. World class mouth feel. Excellent balance. De La Senne rocks!

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2008 14:51:02 | More by Crosling