Baladin Nora - Birrificio Le Baladin

MilanoItaly

Italy

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Biological beer Egyptian inspired : Kamut wheat is the same used on the pharaons banquets, it contains also Ethiopian resin. Spiced with ginger, myrrh. Raw sugar in the recipe,hop is minimum and included only because law requested (to call it beer).
Other reviews well explain the taste,all I can add is the notable drinkability,you can justify it with the curiosity but when you are aware of the 6.8 ABV all you can say is : good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2008 11:31:53 | More by MilanoItaly

dsa7783

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at GingerMan in NYC...
Pours an effervescent, light-golden hue with slight carbonation...
Fruity, sweet aroma..
Taste complemented the smell... Nuances of ripe, green apples, grapes, and candies...
Light-to-medium bodied mouthfeel...
Decent drinkability to match...
This one wasn't over the top...
Good stuff...

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2008 01:07:38 | More by dsa7783

abfraser

California

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml from Pizzeria Delfina

A: Hazy opaque orangish yellow; almost looks like a dark Hefe in the sun.

S: Nothing too notable or strong. A bit of yeast with some clove/banana, some lemon, a bit of muskiness

T/M: Black pepper, slightly sour citrus. The pepper really is there, unlike anything I've had. Medium bodied, refreshing. Overall a very good beer to have with our pizza

D: This one was pretty drinkable; nice spice, refreshing. Glad I tried this.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2008 01:51:49 | More by abfraser

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

An Egyptian styled brew. Brewed in 05. sampled 11/07.

A: Poured a hazy copper orange color with a huge fluffy white head that slowly diminished. Visible carbonation was moderate while small bran flake yeast sediment collected on the bottom of the glass.

S: The nose was yeasty with light bread, a touch of lemon sourness and muskiness.

T: The initial flavor was a blast of lactic sourness, lemons, and light bread notes. There was a huge citrusy sourness flavor along with coriander (pepper) spicing notes. The finish was dry bitter sour citrus with a moderate fade along with some peppery notes. There was a nice tangy spiciness as well. The flavor was yeast dominated but rather one-dimensional. Still a good beer overall, yeasty, with a nice spiciness and wheat palate.

M: The mouthful was oily, with sour citrus (oranges/tangerines) gracing the tongue.

D: moderate drinkability but failed to leave me wanting more.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2008 23:28:12 | More by beerthulhu

sanhedrin

New York

4.8/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

S: Interesting. Was a bit colder than it should have been when I started, and didn't really give up much to the nose. As it opened a malty sweetness became apparant. Didn't really catch the spices in the aroma, though.

M: Light, fizzy.

T: My first reaction was... celery seed? Even cold the spices came through nicely. I don't know what's in there, exactly, but it sure is good. There's a hint of sourness in the background but nothing on the level of a Lambic. Maybe a little coriander in there? Very interesting stuff. Like a Flemish Red crossed with Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray. Finishes very dry. Delicious, super-drinkable. I don't usually associate spiced beers with "summer brews" but this one was crazy refreshing on a blazing hot day. Would go great with Indian food, I think. Definitely be buying more of this one...

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2008 22:16:36 | More by sanhedrin

nightcrawler

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

I've never tasted a beer quite like this.

The smell was sour and alcoholic so I assumed this was going to be bitter and astringent, like an abbey ale gone bad. I was surprised to find the beer light and refreshing, hinting to be more like a Flemish sour beer with a dry finish. The finish may be a bit too dry, leaving me with a sort of weird thirst after each sip.

Very easy to drink with complex flavors slowly coming to the forefront the more I tasted. Light on the tongue with a sudden blast of bubbles as it hits the top of your mouth. It would be very easy to finish the bomber in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2008 03:56:29 | More by nightcrawler

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This bottle was purchased at Winchester Wine and Spirits. Poured in to a wide mouthed wine glass a hazy orange, with little heading, and lively carbonation. Smell has essences of honey, chamomile, ginger, cinnamon and wild flowers. All in all very spicy in aroma. Taste is more of the same, with a prickly spiced character that curiously sneaks around the palate. Body is on the light side, with very little alcohol present in the taste. I must say that it was a bit difficult to drink. The spice and overall huge complexity make it one that I would drink in small samples. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2008 01:47:18 | More by jamie2dope

tekk9

Washington

4.22/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a nice golden amber color. An off-white head disappeared quickly but left a trace of itself. It smell earthy and spicy, but not overpowering. There is a hint of a woody smell. The flavor is wonderful. Not too sweet, but a little sweetness. I taste orange, but not citrusy. It definitely has an earthy taste upfront followed by a mild herby spiciness. It is medium bodied and nicely carbonated. Definitely a quality beer. For some reason it makes me crave Jamaican Jerk Chicken.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2008 19:45:34 | More by tekk9

rallison

California

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Admittedly, this is near to a year old at this point - but, it tastes fine with no oxidation, so I shall review it.

Pours a hazy orange-ish amber color with a 1/2 finger white head that leaves touches of lacing.

Smells quite spicy with notes of light fruits coming out. Nice indeed.

In the taste I get similar flavors - spices - almost peppery - with some earthy notes and a pleasant fruity malt background. Nice dry finish with some light bitterness amongst the spice.

Mouthfeel is relatively light on the tongue with medium carbonation but is never lacking. Wonderful drinkability here.

Recommended. I had neglected this too long and was afraid the age would have negatively affected it. However, this drinks beautifully. My guess is those spices help this beer keep.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2008 04:04:43 | More by rallison

theformula

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer #28 in my 366 Days of Beer Quest, tasted on 1/28.
Thanks to the g/f who probably paid way too much for this great looking bottle of Nora @ Firewaters in Atlantic City, NJ.

A: Pours a rusty orange body into a Duvel glass. A large, egg white head holds up really well. Loads of microscopic sediment floats throughout the body, & carbonation is effervescent.

S: This is different than anything I've come across, w/ the exception of Midas Touch by DFH. The overall picture is strongly perfumed (w/ myrrh apparently) & a prominent sandalwood note as well as wood, orange or rose water, clover honey, pineapple and subtle, leafy hops. Unique and really nice.

M: Light-med. body, low-med. carbonation. The body is light, a little slick & very quaffable.

T: The perfumy character doesn't translate strongly into taste, but it's a light, balancing flavor. Sweet malts w/ great spices mentioned above, w/ some soft hops and grain in the finish.

D: A unique, well-made spice beer, find this if you can. It really does remind me of DFH's Midas Touch, and I'd love to attain another bottle for a comparison. A bit thin, but incredibly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2008 20:59:58 | More by theformula

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The color of the beer is dark golden moving toward orange capped off by a nice fluffy head that dissipated quickly. The aroma is spicy and sweet with some earthy herbs. The beer is light on the palate with a bit of carbonation. The flavor is complex: sweet fruit in particular oranges, spiciness, dry with some residual bitterness and acidity. The finish is long and dry. This beer is complex and very unique and I like it for that. I could finish off the 750 mL bottle in no time.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2008 23:36:39 | More by BeardedBoffin

sawbones420

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Get a e-newsletter from my favorite beer store every week, and the description for this beer grabbed me enough to check out BA reviews. I can say this was one of the rare occasions I bought a beer based solely on the reviews I read on this site.

I was not let down!

Sexy looking bottle with a trendy label had a stay fresh cap (seals the bottle with a plastic nipple thing on the underside). Cracked and poured into an imperial pint glass. Hazy medium gold color with a splash of reddish in the bulbier part of the glass. Carbonation is alive and loud, dissipating quickly like a fresh cracked 2 liter of Coke would when poured into a glass. No lacing to speak of, but this is certainly still a quality beer.

Aroma is lightly spiced, floral, and slightly citrusy. I can't help but think of Allagash's tripel when sniffing this one. Now I'm excited.

Flavor is awesome! Splashes onto the middle of your tongue and the flavor creeps outwards to the sides. Spices are notable, but never overpowering. Again, I'm reminded of an Allagash, but with a slightly 'flatter' flavor and mouthfeel. Hops never come to the forefront, but there is a similar complexity in the flavor that keeps things interesting. Every sip tastes a bit different. Some pulls are citrusy, others spicy. Keeps you guessing and leaves you smiling.

This beer is a a total pleasure to drink. At 6.8% ABV, it would be all too easy to drink two or three if the price tag wasn't a bit on the steep side (12 or 13 dollars if I recall correctly). I originally chose a 4 for "drinkability" in the pull down menu above, but as I've been sipping on this fine ale and writing this review, I moved it first up to 4.5 and then finally to 5. I'd recommend this brew to anyone, whether they be a fan of beer in general, or even a wine connoisseur. This is certainly one for anybody who loves the "spiced" style. Drink up. Amazing!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2008 02:22:25 | More by sawbones420

BDIMike

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Very complex beer.
It poured beautifully with a highly carbonated golden, reddish hue. It had a nice thick white head that sat for a while.
The smell was very complex. It smells with a bunch of nice spices. I smelled orange and citrus and also pumpkin. At times you can smell the hops and other times a bit floral.
The taste was equally as complex. I tasted first the citrus and then ends with a lot of spice. It is a good spice that I couldn't put my finger on.
Mouthfeel is very sharp and carbonated. Good for a spiced beer.
The drinkability is very good for the type of beer it is. Usually a spiced beer is hard to drink a lot of, but this was surprisingly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2008 18:57:46 | More by BDIMike

watchnerd

California

4.72/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer almost defies classification. Good head that deflates quickly, rich if murky color, and HUGE chunks of yeast upon pouring. Not much lacing. Some say it is best with food, but I think the opposite: drink this by itself to get the full experience. Not much hop presence, if any. Aromas of rose water, nutmeg, and feminine musk. A bit like sniffing panties while drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2008 17:12:28 | More by watchnerd

Patrick999

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy gold into my snifter. Head kinda fizzy and doesn't retain all that well.

Smell - Very pleasant, sweet-smelling nutty aroma. Smells more than a bit like myrrh incense, which is a big plus in my book. I give this a 5 in smell for being the only beer I know of to smell like a stick of good incense.

Taste - Does not follow smell. It's not all that sweet. It's not sweet at all, tending toward the dry. This bottle is from 2005, so it has a little age on it. In fact, on the back it says I have the "Sour Edition," but I'm putting my review here. There's a bit of saison-like yeasty funk and a bit of sour. A little bitterness that doesn't seem to come from hops. Maybe that's the myrrh. Given the odd ingredients, though, this doesn't really taste so strange. It's not the out of the ordinary beer I thought it might be. Tasty, but damn do I love that myrrh/Nag Champa incense smell. I think I'd rather smell it than drink it. Aftertaste long on orange peel.

Mouthfeel - Pretty good. Crisp and carbonated, reminds me of a saison.

Drinkability? Well, I'm drinking it. The alcohol isn't all that much, and it would seem to go over well with many different foods. I like it and would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2008 23:19:57 | More by Patrick999

BeerBelcher

Ohio

1.73/5  rDev -57.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

I didn't really care for this beer. It had an oddly perfumed aroma, and a combination of yeastiness and cerealness in its flavor that I couldn't get into. More over, the excessive amount of floaties in this beer gave it a strange and unpleasant mouthfeel that was at the same time both slick and gritty.

Appearance was a hazy tan, with some light and dark specks in it which reminded me of eggnog. Aroma was perfume-y, and the first thought that hit me was "lavender." Taste was faint at first, intensifying as it warmed, and the emerging flavor was cereal-y and yeasty in a way that was unpleasant to me. The mouthfeel was a bit gritty due to the floaties present, but also a bit slick and slimy feeling. Much of mine went down the drain.

I was not a fan of this beer and would not recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2007 17:42:58 | More by BeerBelcher

kiya

California

3.48/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was expecting something dramatic to come out of this bottle considering the bottle shape and label design.

Pours a nice golden color with little to no head but with massive yeast clots... very little lacing brings up a great and strong floral scent.
Initially i was quite surprised that the overall flavor was so smooth. Nothing jumped out at me, i was sort of wishing something would.
The mouthfeel was one of the highlights for me, great levels of carbonation and a nice light feeling make this a great beer to drink a lot of, but it's not packaged or priced like a beer that's a session beer. Regardless, i loved bits and pieces of this, while overall i felt like it was missing something.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2007 03:47:41 | More by kiya

sleazo

New York

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a red wine glass at Spuyten Duyvil

A-hazy beautiful orange. Lovely head.

S-there is that "horseblanket" aroma I love. Very nice odor without being too strong.

T- more funk with some lemon hits the tongue first. Also some cloves and a vague spicyness. Almost no hop character. Very much tart but a slight sweetness comes through as it warms.

M-refreshingly bubbly but not overwhelming. A nice medium body

D-very nice outdoorsy beer and very good with some brie goat cheese and brasaola. This is a very unique beer and one I will get again despite the high price.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2007 17:00:15 | More by sleazo

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy dark golden with a pretty nice head that fades to a thin cap and leaves some light lacing. The smell is intriguing with the aroma of lightly fermented honey, sweet orange peel, fresh ginger, and light muskiness. The taste is more of the same but a good deal more intense than the smell, with bright orange, a sweet and sour flavor reminiscent of fermented honey, ginger, and perhaps some grapes as well.There is alittle bit of a sweet spicy hit on the finish. Mouthfeelis creamy and spritzy and on the light side. Very refreshing and quite interesting.I'm definitely interested in their other products now.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2007 00:04:40 | More by Georgiabeer

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a pale golden brown color with amber hues. The small head fades quickly in my snifter glass.

Smell: The aroma is an indistinct fruity sweetness with a touch of caramel and some nutmeg, ginger & vanilla spices.

Taste: This flavor is completely unique. It reminds me of a cross between boysenberry wheat and pumpkin with a Belgian yeasty attribute and pumpkin pie spices, nutmeg and coriander, orange and flavors of Christmas. Juicy fruity malt center and then some apricot juice and a pleasant apple cider tartness in the aftertaste. The is a hint of woodiness especially on the last pour that contained some of the sediment.

Mouthfeel: It is remarkably soft smooth feel and yet zesty in flavors with fine gentle carbonation.

Drinkability: This is so easy to drink I am not even sure how to describe it. One went down so nice and easy but as unique as is I wouldn’t session this. One is enough but I want to have more on hand.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2007 07:16:15 | More by Phatz

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is bubbly. Had this bottle for about 4 years, popped it open the other day.
Orange/copper body with huge carbonation white head. Kinda like champagne or coke. Settle quickly to a thin layer, some lacing.
Smell of soft fruit, some herbs and anise. Sweet malt perhaps
Taste is fruity, banana and blood orange, with hints of herbal spice.
Mostly, the carbonation is focused upon. Gives it a crisp sensation without the hops.
A good beer. Interesting. Good for pseudo-special occaisions.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2007 20:20:37 | More by Mebuzzard

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.58/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Explodes out of bottle with a thick creamy head that takes a while to fade leaving some lace. Cloudy amber color. Spicy/floral nose. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Flavor is sweet and sour, hints of pepper, different from other spiced beers. Pricey, $12.40 for a 750ml bottle from Tully's Beer & Wine Wells, Me.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2007 23:44:18 | More by jdhilt

jmz62565

Connecticut

3.83/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear orange with a medium white head that leaves almost no lacing. The smell is very "bisquity" with corriander,pepper, clove,banana, and a champagne "dryness' to it. The taste is crisp with a hop bite along with a creamy bunch of flavors. Cloves,banana,hops,corriander,pepper.and lemon make this a complex flavor mixture. The m/f is medium,but alittle syrupy and medicanal,but not bad. A decent beer,alittle flawed,but you can drink it easily enough. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2007 19:00:16 | More by jmz62565

sloejams

California

3.65/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I've seen this a few times before, so finally one night out - I crossed it's path and decided to split a bottle with a buddy.

It pours golden orange color into the tulip glass. The scent is strong: vanilla, clove and coriander dominate. The taste reminded me of a ginger snap. There wasn't a terribly gingery taste per se, just the sugary and spice mix. It was a very interesting beer, that I enjoyed. I was drinking some Unibroue's offerings previous to this and that was more of my speed.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2007 23:35:21 | More by sloejams

nouseforotacon

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fat-bottomed bottle from Italy with a neat looking label and a raised glass design that reads 'Birra Baladin'.

Pours out an extremely cloudy, hazy yellow-orange bottom with a full mound of foamy white head that evaporates to lacing quickly. Visible sediments.

Musty, funky yeast aroma. Dry white grapes that remind me of champagne. Subtle hints of banana, clove, and nectar fruit. Peppery and full on the nose, dry. Yeast is dominating.

Crisp, solid carbonation. Funky twang of sweet and sour, slices of lemon and peach/orange sweetness. Spicy, white pepper paired with coriander and more clove. A bit of banana on the tongue. White grape tartness. For me, this one is like a fruitier champagne with a sweet, caramel malt presence. Mouthfeel is nice; rich, light to medium body with a tart and spicy finish.

Interesting, really like a Belgian ale with amped up carbonation and some mouth puckering/dryness. Very champagne-like, but sweeter with the addition of malts. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2006 01:24:24 | More by nouseforotacon