La Trappe Isid'or - Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.

Groulxsome

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Beautiful little bubbles. Very tight head and great retention. Cloudy amber-red. (4.5)

Smell: Spicy yeast, some caramel, and some banana/clove. (3.5)

Taste: A little understated. It's got the La Trappe signature spice to the yeast (a little more savoury than most Belgian Strongs), which then jumps in to a more caramel and banana body. Some nice sweetness (candy) in there too, but it's just a little thin and watery. (3.5)

Mouthful: Silky and very nicely carbonated. Very small bubbles. (4.5)

Overall: It's a very nice beer, but not really what I'd expect from a brewery like La Trappe. It'd be really great if found at a nice local brewpub, but the taste is a little too watery to be outstanding despite its excellent execution of its apparence and mouthfeel. (3.5)

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 00:19:55 | More by Groulxsome

BeerDocT

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a chilled La Trappe glass that I received for free with a four-pack of the beer. I promise this did not affect my rating. ;)

-Appearance 4.0: Small head, probably due to the bowl-shaped glass. Foamy residue lingered on top. Beautiful, deep-golden color. Almost a metallic color to this beer. I am not exaggerating when I state that this is one of the most beautiful looking beers I have ever seen.

-Smell 3.5: Interesting bouquet and I mean that in a good way. Subdued hints of caramel and very light hints of barley. Well-balanced, but still subdued.

-Taste 4.5: Wow. Slightly sour up front, with a hint of that spicy Belgian...I mean, DUTCH...abbey yeast. Middle is a very pleasing mid-level barley taste with some delightful caramel overtones. Finish is frothy and smooth and I taste more of the yeast and some delicious syrupy sugars. Aftertaste is dry and wonderfully smooth.

-Mouthfeel 4.0: Excellent level of carbonation and the sugars make for a very pleasant mouthfeel.

-Overall 4.5: This beer is a wonderful abbey ale and has so many subtle differences from any other abbey ale you may have had previously. The color alone is unique and worth buying the beer just to see it in your glass. The taste is excellent and is representative of the product of generations of master abbey brewers, men who have nothing else to do other than perfect their beers. This is an excellent brew and well worth tracking down.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 04:40:01 | More by BeerDocT

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

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

750ml Bottle from the Ottawa LCBO for 7$

Appearance - Slightly hazy brown colour with an above average size fizzy/frothy off-white/beige coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some faint lacing. The head lasted for 4-5 minutes.

Smell - Malts, dark fruits, caramel, wood, bananas

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts mixed with some caramel and some woody notes. There is also a bit of a dark fruit taste and a some light banana and a yeasty spiciness. It ends with a slightly sweet aftertaste.

Overall - Nothing wrong with this one at all. A nice well rounded and very drinkable beer. Not the cream of the crop as far as trappists go, but very close. I'll buy more.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 00:32:23 | More by spinrsx

Brunthe

3.65/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a nice looking 750ml bottle into a 33cl Maredsous goblet. The colour is a cloudy hazelnut, and has a fluffly, but thin, off-white head. Extreme lacing all around the glass as the drink goes on. I really like the look of this.

S: I am honestly not picking up much smell from this at all. What I do get is a very faint smell of caramel. It isn't a bad smell, but it's unimpressive.

T: This is very sweet, very fruity. The strong taste subsides quickly and turns to a warm, candy-like taste, with some lingering bitterness. The more I sip, the less intense the burst of sweet flavour is, thankfully. I am not personally a fan strong sweetness, but the ending of this beer is pleasant.

M: Excellent! It is very smooth, not too much carbonation in this one. It feels very refreshing.

If this were not a Trappist product, I don't think I would recommend it very highly simply because of that strong sweet taste up front. However, as it is "special" in the regard that it is a Trappist beer then I would not pass this up if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 00:41:37 | More by Brunthe

DavoleBomb

Ohio

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

Poured into a snifter. A cryptic "13:04" and "K04H11" are printed on the label.

4.0 A: Well hazed orange amber color. Two and a half fingers of frothy beige head. Retention is decent and a moderate sized ring of lacing is left behind.

4.0 S: Really earthy and "dirty." Grassy with rainwater and mud. Alas, but this is also quite fruity and spicy. Tons of apple, some peach, and maybe some currants. Spiciness comes in clove foremost with some pepper underneath.

4.0 T: Again earthy, dirt, fruity, and spicy. Apple is the most prominent flavor, then clove, then mountain stream. Hay, pepper, dirt, peach, currants, and paw paw after that.

4.0 M: Medium body. Good moderate carbonation that is pleasantly spritzy. Moderate creaminess.

4.0 D: Tasty, well rounded beer. No complaints.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 01:22:55 | More by DavoleBomb

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy to lightly cloudy golden orange in color with some light amounts of visible carbonation near the edges of the glass at the surface. The beer has a finger tall creamy beige head that reduces fairly quickly to a thick film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate flavors of light fruits (apple and pear), spices, and Belgian yeast.

T: Similar in taste to the smell but with moderate to strong presence of pale malts and just a hint of toffee sweetness. Moderate flavors of light fruits including apple, pear, and peach. There are notes of spices and the Belgian yeast flavors.

M: Slightly lighter than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slight dryness in the finish.

O: Enjoyable and easy to drink, especially for the style. The alcohol is well hidden and this is a good sipping beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 21:32:54 | More by dbrauneis

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Bottle: Poured a deep caramel color ale with a huge foamy head with great retention and some good lacing. Aroma consists of Belgian caramel malt with some sweet notes and some light fruity ester. Taste is also a mix between some Belgian caramel malt with some good notes of fruity ester and a balanced level of sweetness. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Well brewed with nice level of complexity and great level of drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 15:30:55 | More by Phyl21ca

thierrynantes

France

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from La Cave à bières (Le Havre), tasted in 2012.

Appearance : amber golden color with white foamy head.
Smell : yeasty aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : sweet malty with caramel and fruits notes and spicy finish.
Drinkability : a good beer in the Belgian Pale Ale style.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 16:59:41 | More by thierrynantes

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pouring out this opaquely hazed coppery amber brew creates a huge rush of craggy head and a nasal blast of peaches, bubblegum, pears, plums, brown sugars, flowers, and a touch of spicy yeast. Flavors include all of the elements from the nose with the addition of bready elements and a harder emphasis on the yeasty spice. Long lingering finish. Lighter texture and snappy carbonation. Very well made.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 23:04:21 | More by WastingFreetime

nrbw23

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a nice dark copper color with a fairly thin foamy off white head. Head has pretty solid retention and becomes a really thin layer of bubbles.

S- A very floral aroma. Quite a bit of candied sugar. A bit of tropical fruits as well. A good amount of spice here as well.

T- Pretty sweet overall all. A touch of hops toward the end. A good malt back bone here for sure. Yeast and spice make themselves known.

M- Lighter side of medium in body and a good amount of carbonation too.

O- Not too bad at all. Maybe a touch on the sweet side for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 10:30:13 | More by nrbw23

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.28/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark amber with a large, fading head.
Nose shows sweet confectionary notes, banana, pear and apple esters alongside caramel.
Flavours are equally sweet but seem a little weak, with just a bit of confectionery and alcohol. Not particularly interesting.
Carbonation is too full on.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 10:18:02 | More by CrazyDavros

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz bottle served in a snifter.

pours a medium amber / dull orange tone with bright orange highlights; pour was somewhat aggressive but wow, what a head - foamy, billowing 3" at least, slowly fades while leaving patches of lacing. nose is nice, relatively fragrant and offering an appealing assortment of fruit (banana, apple), spice (namely clove), belgian yeast and a touch of herbal hoppiness.

more of the same comes across in the flavor. fruity with strong notes of spice, yeast, and vaguely herbal. medium bodied on the palate with some prickly carbonation.

overall, a very nice belgian pale. full of flavor and pretty nicely balanced. definitely impressed.

(originally reviewed: 11-23-2011)

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 21:22:43 | More by BostonHops

AgentMunky

Alabama

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

Poured from a 33cL bottle into a Koningshoeven chalice. Stamped 13:10 K08F09.

A: Thin but dense head tops a translucent brownish-amber beer. Pretty enough.

S: Sticky-spicy grapes? Smells like a quad at first whiff. This impression never really departs, as I get lots of molasses, sweet fruit (apple, pear), and dense spiciness. Perhaps slightly grainy from a distance?

T: Intriguing! Initially much like a BSDA in character, the thick fruit and generous spice detected in the nose are very much present here. However, the aftertaste is lighter, grainier, and peppier, leaving one with the impression of a well-made Belgian Pale Ale.

M: Well-carbonated, lightly tingly, and both compelling and refreshing.

O: Great yeast, fruitiness tartness, light finish, heavy body...engaging combination. I'm a fan, and I'd recommend it to those who like beer, Belgian styles especially.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 04:01:11 | More by AgentMunky

superspak

Michigan

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

330 ml bottle into chalice, K11E11 bottle code. Pours slightly hazy golden orange color with a nice 1 finger dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Some light spotty lacing on the glass, with a fair amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of banana, pear, clove, grape, bubblegum, earth, and peppery yeast spices. Very balanced an pleasant aromas with good strength. Taste of banana, pear, grape, pepper, clove, earth, citrus peel, bread, candi sugar, and yeast spices. Fairly dry finish; with lingering notes of pear, banana, grape, bread, and yeast spices on the finish for a bit. Very balanced malt flavors with the spiciness of the yeast. Medium carbonation and body; with a slightly creamy and slick mouthfeel. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming present on the finish. Overall this is a damn nice Belgian pale ale. Extremely balanced with good complexity; and very smooth to sip on. Really well done.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 02:15:46 | More by superspak

sweemzander

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle poured into a tulip.

(A)- Pours a hazy amber color. Some good tan froth and lace.

(S)- A nice combo of clay-like yeast and banana. The tiniest hint of lemon peel and earth.

(T)- Again, a nice combo of a yeasty clay and banana. Heavier on the earth too.

(M)- A higher carbonation level, but it fits this beer. Earthy and dry. Good mouthfeel without being abrasive.

(D)- A solid belgian. All the right flavors and tidbits to remind me of the style. Well-done.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 16:01:23 | More by sweemzander

nout72

3.48/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The first two sips tasted very promising, similar to the La Trappe Quad, rich and full, after another sip I got the sweet/sour/bitter of an Orval, but after a few more sips the taste morphed into a watery syrupy beer.

Maybe you need to drink this beer very very slowly, to let your mouth get enough time to neutralize again...

It is just like eating Ketchup flavored potato chips, the 1st chip has a true ketchup taste, but after a few chips the taste runs flat and you only get a undefined sweet/sour flavor, you could have just as well bought the Bolognese or the Cheese and Onion, in the end they all taste the same.

I don't have this muted flavour sensation with the La Trappe Quad, the Chimay Blue or the Rochefort 10, with every sip of these beers the taste maintains its fullness, no matter how fast I am drinking.

Still the beer is of high quality, smooth and balanced, not likely to ever get a headache of this beer, it is just not special enough for a trappist.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 20:09:28 | More by nout72

homebrew311

Illinois

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

Poured into La Trappe glass. Pours a semi cloudy dark orangeish red, with a creamy white head. The retention is great and the lacing is significant. The aroma features mellow spices characteristic of Belgian yeast. Notes of banana and clove are present along with some candied grapes. The taste is similar to the nose, a bit on the mellow side, very well and delicately balanced. This is very easy drinking and enjoyable. The 7.5% abv is very well hidden. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, the carbonation is moderate. Overall, this brew is very enjoyable. Perhaps it is lacking in bold flavors, but for what it is, it is quite good.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 05:12:42 | More by homebrew311

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- crazy huge beige foam over a murky fiery orange-red body. A skin immediately forms on the surface of the head and aromas of yeast fill the room. Finely bubbled cobwebs of lace maxed out.

S- very nice sweet honeyed fruit aroma of mandarin, pomelo, plum, pear, orange blossom, apricot, lemon, white grape, cedar and banana with funky earthy barnyard yeast. Toffe vanilla and cookie sweet malt intermingle with all the fungi.

T- same fruity and sweet grain as the aroma with zero hop bitterness and just a touch of alcohol. Flavor fades rather quickly leaving some canned pear pineapple fruit cocktail notes behind. Amazing balance of sweet and tart here as things barely get toasty and the only bitterness provided is in the form of floral alcohol. Yeasty earthy green bell pepper and funk in the mellow finish.

MF- very juicy and lighter than it appears. Velvety fine carbonation. Moderately dry but otherwise clean on the cheeks.

D- total refresher. This one goes down so easy and the 7.5% doesn't rock ones head too much (seemingly). Tastes great but feels diluted after a second and a half. I only wish it could match the powerful and amazing aroma. Very glad to have had this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 02:02:15 | More by hustlesworth

smaakmakkers

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasting a La Trappe Isid'or, 33cl bottle.

A: Orange, a little brown. Great creamy head and beautifull bubbles.
S: Flowers, and something old. A little bit malt.
T: Sweet, and bitter at the same time. Still getting the flowers. Small bitter aftertaste.
M: Not thick, not creamy.
O: A great beer, but the Quadruple is better.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 19:34:21 | More by smaakmakkers

merc7186

New York

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer poured from a 330mL bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Light Brown Hue, Passes Little Light, Good White Head, Mild Lacing

S: Banana, Yeast, Plum, Fruit Esters

T: Banana, Bready, Mild Raisins, Mild Plum, Mild Butterscotch

M: Great Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Dry, Mildly Bitter

Overall, I have had this on tap recently but liked it in the bottle...Im going to buy another one, cellar, and forget it.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 23:42:21 | More by merc7186

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from Premier Gourmet, split with Steve and Jason. 33cl into a tulip, on my inaugural brewday.

Hazy orange brown, with an offwhite head. A thick collar is left and some sparse retention. Nose has some banana, with big yeasty fruity esters. Some caramelized fruits and gentle breadiness. Taste moves more into dark fruit territory, plums and others similar fruits of the caramelized sort. Some yeast and dark bread character still. Medium full body, typical drying Belgian ale finish with some subtle spicing. Gentle carbonation. Somewhat complex, sits in a not-well defined area between a Belgian Strong Pale and Belgian Strong Dark - quite nice, I'd have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 02:01:08 | More by liamt07

beerdrifter

Germany

4.28/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up at my favorite beer store in Belgium, Dranken Geers. Nice copper-amber pour with one finger head that quickly dissipates with decent lacing. Fruity, malty nose with hints of caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, banana, and just a touch of bubblegum and oakiness. The fruitiness shines through in the taste as well with lots of pear, apple, and a bit of banana. Really solid malt backbone with hints of caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, and toffee. The mouthfeel is medium bodied but very smooth with just slightly chewy and syrupy. I tasted the oak aged version of this first and really thought I'd be let down with this version since the oaked was so amazing. But this one holds it's own and it's one of those beers that just screams to be put in a barrel. I'll definitely be picking up more of both of these incredible beers!

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 15:11:28 | More by beerdrifter

crnipeter

Slovenia

3.83/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Somewhat hazed orange-amber body gets topped by dense, creamy ivory head with yellowish hue and good retention, that slowly fades to a stable collar.
Nose is sweet with mild spicy notes of hops or phenols and evident citrusy and pear-like esters
Flavor is malted-wheat sweetness with caramelized sugar, phenolic or hop-derived spiciness and lemony esters.Ends spicy with mild alcohol in the aftertaste to balance the malt.
Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

In short: a bit too sweet Belgian Ale with caramel & malted-wheat sweetness, spice and lemony esters. (330 ml, BB date 05/2014, into tulip.)

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 14:51:48 | More by crnipeter

ArrogantBastage

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

375ml bottle poured into La Trappe chalice

A: Pours a deep, rich coppery amber and cloudy topped with a dense, rocky head. Head dissipates to a thin ring with an island of bubbles in the center after a bit.

S: Rich malt, bananas, faint clove, subtle sweetness dominate the aroma with yeast hiding in the background.

T: Sweet malts start off followed immediately with bananas and faint alcohol. Finish is slightly dry leaving traces of sweet malt and bitter hops

M: Medium bodied, slightly viscous but not cloying, Nice carbonation level helping to prevent the beer from feeling thick.

D: Pretty good and one that I would have again

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 18:08:52 | More by ArrogantBastage

SLeffler27

New York

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dresses up a La Trappe chalice with a half-inch creamy white head that eventually dissipates leaving a thin coating of lace over a cloudy, dark amber ale.

Gives off a fruity aroma similar to white wine. Also has herbal notes, mustiness and some honey.

The flavor is fresh, malty and sweet. Pears progress nicely to white wine; however, this is less complex than others of its style. Regardless, it is clean throughout with a modest malty finish.

Isid’or has a medium body, smooth texture, and lots of carbonation. There is no hint of alcohol.

Flows easily with food or conversation. This is just a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 13:21:47 | More by SLeffler27