St. Sebastiaan Grande Reserve - Brouwerij Sterkens N.V.

BKotch

Texas

3.7/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Presented in a 16-ounce crock with a bottle cap, not a cork, and a wired stopper. Poured a clear orangey-gold with broadly dispersed bubbles but virtually no head. The nose and palate are fruity and sweet, reminding me of peaches and pears. There is a slight bit of dryness to balance the sweetness -- just a bit, mind you. The mouth feel was decidedly syrupy. Also very pricey at $7.20 for 16 ounces.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2002 01:43:21 | More by BKotch

superspak

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16 ounce ceramic bottle into tulip glass, best before 3/27/2014. Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 2 finger fluffy white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Dense foamy lacing clings on the glass, with some moderate streaming carbonation. Aromas of pear, grape, apple, pepper, clove, floral, candi sugar, honey, and earthy yeast spiciness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity/spicy esters with malt notes; but pretty muted for a 10% Belgian. Taste of pear, grape, apple, pepper, clove, honey, candi sugar, bread, floral, and earthy yeast spiciness. Lingering notes of light fruits, pepper, clove, honey, candi sugar, bread, and earthy yeast spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Very good balance and complexity of fruity/spicy esters and malt flavors; with a nice moderate malt balance with no cloying sweetness present after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a lightly slick, crisp, and moderately prickly mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very good Belgian strong pale ale. Good complexity and balance of flavors; and very smooth to sip on. A nicely enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 04:55:02 | More by superspak

matthewweippert

Virginia

5/5  rDev +31.2%

04-04-2013 11:11:02 | More by matthewweippert

LJC3

California

5/5  rDev +31.2%

04-01-2013 21:44:53 | More by LJC3

BGsWo22

New York

2/5  rDev -47.5%

03-21-2013 00:13:56 | More by BGsWo22

imfrigginfly

Hawaii

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

03-18-2013 16:18:37 | More by imfrigginfly

harpus

Alabama

4/5  rDev +5%

03-13-2013 20:48:18 | More by harpus

tgraven

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +5%

02-03-2013 03:28:56 | More by tgraven

OregonGrown7

Nebraska

4/5  rDev +5%

01-13-2013 23:58:22 | More by OregonGrown7

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ceramic type bottle with grolsch style lid. Pours a cloudy yellow/tan color with a very large, lasting head and sticky lacing.

Aroma is fruity, spicy, with clove and banana, citrus, a little hops and some biscuit malt.

Flavor is tasty, it's got tons of spiciness, with clove, coriander, pepper notes, banana and bubblegum, and some funk.

Body is pretty thick with plenty of carbonation and slightly noticeable EtOH.

Overall it's tasty. A nice Belgian Strong Pale that fits the style nicely.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 23:47:18 | More by AlCaponeJunior

Brewsed

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5%

11-24-2012 14:18:50 | More by Brewsed

mcss

New York

2.75/5  rDev -27.8%

09-30-2012 17:42:21 | More by mcss

ChefCos

4/5  rDev +5%

09-12-2012 04:58:05 | More by ChefCos

Resuin

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5%

08-24-2012 05:23:42 | More by Resuin

jborgschulte

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

07-20-2012 17:12:23 | More by jborgschulte

srandycarter

California

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

A - Clear straw, stark white head, tight bubbles, not much cling.

S - Light juicy fruit, malt.

T - Fruitiness and esters more prominent, bittered nicely.

M - Light body, good carb and balance. The alcohol is well hidden.

D - An enjoyable beer. Would try again.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 03:12:38 | More by srandycarter

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.58/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle code: 04/07/16
16oz. poured into a Tripel Karmeliet tulip.

A - Pours a hazed apricot with a fluffy white head that holds great retention. Nice horizontal lacing left behind.

S - Tropical fruit esters, pineapple, green apple skins, green mango, orange, peach, cotton candy, banana taffy, grassy hops, sweet malt in the background.

T - Very fruity, pineapple, papaya, lemon honey, biscuit malt resides underneath a grassy hops. Earthy strawberries come out as it warms.

M - Medium body, medium carbonation, slick feel, finishes semi dry.

The best aroma I've come across from A BSPA. It couldn't be more perfect. The flavors come across the palate very straightforward but very tasty.
One of the best examples of the style I've come across.
This beer drinks like a 7.00ABV. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 01:12:58 | More by StaveHooks

hopmashian

Florida

4/5  rDev +5%

03-23-2012 00:07:04 | More by hopmashian

conradh

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

03-13-2012 02:43:09 | More by conradh

jfcaa193

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +5%

02-19-2012 01:24:58 | More by jfcaa193

drperm

Virginia

4.78/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

If you enjoy a good Tripel, or beers in the Duvel line (Strong Goldens and Strong Pales), this one is sure to please.

Even before getting it in the glass, I predicted that I was in for a treat: the ceramic bottle with the swivel Grolsch-style top is an eye pleaser and a souvenir keeper as well.

In the glass, it's sheer beauty: rich golden colour and hazy, it pours like liquid pirate treasure.

On the nose, it's a melange of Belgian goodness: coriander, vanilla, maple, nutmeg, hay, chamomile, and biscuit.
The flavor is seamless from the nose and picks up where the aroma leaves off: smooth, rich, and creamy, belying the 10% tag it carries. Honestly, it could be a little richer and I wouldn't complain.

The mouthfeel is the definition of smooth. There's always the risk of a beer of this profile having a too-sweet finish, but this one is meticulously balanced.

Overall, a capital winner. Especially for the price of the bottle, I'm wishing I had bought a case of this stuff. It's great on its own, and a perfect complement to everything from rich cheeses to pancakes with maple syrup.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 23:28:39 | More by drperm

Drinkerofales

California

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

Pours cloudy golden honey with a big dirty white head that dissipates rather quickly to leave some lacing.

Smell is Belgian yeast, and nutty bready malt. A light peppery smell is in the back ground.

Taste is yeasty tang, spice, a hint of citrus on the end accompanied with booze. This lessens with warmth.

Feel is smooth, carbonation makes it glide, but the finish bites you back and is a little tough. This effect also lessens with warmth.

A fine beer, just remember to drink it 20 minutes out of the fridge.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 09:40:25 | More by Drinkerofales

jonathaniler

Florida

3/5  rDev -21.3%

02-02-2012 22:00:41 | More by jonathaniler

SLeffler27

New York

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours slightly hazy, golden amber with energetic carbonation. A big, puffy, off-white head turns creamy as it settles, but never drops below half an inch. Big patches of lace are left behind on a Unibroue tulip glass.

There is some cedar and lemon with undertones of peach and spice. Yeast and funk are evident. Overall, the aroma is much fresher than anticipated.

Musty and much earthier in flavor than aroma. This is well balanced with sweetness, bitterness, sourness. It has a long, subtle finish of honey that eventually turns sour.

Dry with a medium to full body and tingly carbonation. Alcohol is perceptible, but surprisingly absent for a 10% beer.

St. Sebastiaan improves with warmth, reaching its best with cheese and cured meat. This one lacks the power and complexity I expect for its style.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 22:21:33 | More by SLeffler27

Doppelbockulus

Florida

3/5  rDev -21.3%

01-27-2012 16:38:16 | More by Doppelbockulus