Abbey Belgian Style Ale - New Belgium Brewing

Miketwolf21

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer gave way to a inch tall head that revealed fruit all the way in the aroma. I wanted to serve this one warmer to reveal the complex flavors. What resulted was balanced sweet, fruit flavors with a dry, warm alcohol mouth feel. A touch of licorice and smooth yeast (bread?) is revealed in the midway through my swallow. I would consider this a sipper. The flavors are pretty powerful and need to be enjoyed slowly. I can't believe this came in a sampler at the price that I got it at. Although this is not a "Wow!" beer (though close) and it doesn't demand attention, but I think they did a great job and deserves to be considered Belgian style. Heck its better than some actual Belgian Ales I have had. A must try in my opinion. I gave it such a high overall rating due to the price and lack of any direct competitors at this price level.

Update-- After another year of drinking many different belgians, the flavor profile depth of this beer is where it is clear that this is somewhat of a "imitation". It has a large amount of bubble gum flavor that I don't remember. The malts taste like a lot came from malt extracts and candy sugar. This is a very good deal still and would be a great first belgian style beer. Still, a four pack of Unibroue Maudite is twice as expensive, but is a much more complex beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2009 09:31:17 | More by Miketwolf21

iHeartMNBeer

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-17-2013 04:53:53 | More by iHeartMNBeer

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

05-16-2013 20:41:38 | More by ElizabethEleanor

MinorThreat

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

05-16-2013 02:13:22 | More by MinorThreat

Beermazter310

Nevada

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-13-2013 18:51:57 | More by Beermazter310

LambicPentameter

Kansas

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

05-12-2013 17:57:29 | More by LambicPentameter

Punkrckr281

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-12-2013 13:40:46 | More by Punkrckr281

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.81/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a New Belgium globe glass.

Look: Dark ruby amber color. Thick cream colored head. Slow ressesion with decent rings of lace.

Aroma: Biscuits, nuts, and floral fruits. An almost bubblegum quality.

Taste: The sweet bubblegum thing comes out and dominates. The hop finish is more grounded in citrus.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, creamy.

Overall: Just too yeasty and bubblegummy. Typical New Belgium?

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 00:39:53 | More by JuicesFlowing

rph97

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-10-2013 01:01:54 | More by rph97

Shatter

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

05-08-2013 01:48:41 | More by Shatter

Tertullian007

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-07-2013 22:23:29 | More by Tertullian007

fuzzcherry

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

05-06-2013 03:02:21 | More by fuzzcherry

lernerlift

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

05-05-2013 22:10:25 | More by lernerlift

CesarLopes

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-04-2013 02:37:54 | More by CesarLopes

BrianSherry

Michigan

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-01-2013 20:54:32 | More by BrianSherry

adam_e

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.5%

04-30-2013 20:27:53 | More by adam_e

djs467

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

04-30-2013 16:22:13 | More by djs467

EagleTalon

Arkansas

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours to a nice white head, moderate lacing and brown amber color. Aroma is a complex blend of fruits, spices, vanilla, clove and specialty malts. Flavor is a complex blend of caramel like flavors, complex sweet spicy and fruity. Refreshing clove finish. Mouthfeel is medium to light. Overall this beer rocks my palate and totally owns my nose.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 23:56:42 | More by EagleTalon

Schlafly33

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%

04-26-2013 12:29:12 | More by Schlafly33

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: a brown color. almost opaque but with slight clarity. two fingers of tan head that leave behind a lacing

Smell: candied sugar and dark fruits

Taste: the belgian yeast gives of tastes of dark fruits and a slight breadiness, the candied sugars come in pretty strongly. There is an alcohol taste which i prefer hidden in this type

Mouthfeel: very sweet aftertaste. a touch too sweet

Overall: I had higher hopes for this one since new belgium made a great trippel. this one was just slightly lacking in all aspects

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 14:52:38 | More by SportsandJorts

Cam5sf49

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

04-23-2013 06:04:54 | More by Cam5sf49

iamshad

California

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%

04-22-2013 22:36:18 | More by iamshad

greenbr

Texas

4/5  rDev -0.5%

04-22-2013 21:13:34 | More by greenbr

FlyingHellfish

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

04-22-2013 12:40:10 | More by FlyingHellfish

schoenfelderr

South Dakota

4.75/5  rDev +18.2%

04-22-2013 06:50:30 | More by schoenfelderr