Troubadour Magma - Brouwerij De Musketiers

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.91/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle into a tulip. Burnt amber, hazy, creamy white head. This is the European hopped version of a Belgian IPA. Hops are punch of herbs and spice - grassy, peppery, earthy (almost dirty, in a good way), slightly soapy and powdery. Slather of caramel on the palate seems to balance things out a little, but thankfully this isn't a sweet beer. Ethanol flairs just a little as it warms. Ultra dry finish with lively carbonation gives a nice fluffy mouthfeel. A pretty solid brew, nice flavors to sip and savor. What makes this a triple IPA as the label states - the ABV I guess? It's not quite as hoppy as even a DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:28:35 | More by bump8628

UCLABrewN84

California

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Congregation Ale House in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy beige head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of malt, honey, citrus fruit, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with a honey flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a low level of carbonation with an almost flat mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but the mouthfeel is off on this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 19:05:10 | More by UCLABrewN84

thierrynantes

France

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from Bières & Chopes, and tasted in 2013.

Appearance : amber orange color with white foamy head (nice lacing)
Smell : malty and caramel aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : hops and citrus flavors, leading to bitter finish.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style Belgian Flemish brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 16:41:53 | More by thierrynantes

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.33/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Pours deep amber with a fading head.
Very sweet smelling aroma of confectionery, golden syrup and spicy hops.
Similar flavours, sweet malt and spicy, herbal hops. Also some booze giving a harsh, slightly industrial character.
Carbonation is a bit too high.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 01:08:53 | More by CrazyDavros

glb3

Washington

1.74/5  rDev -55.5%
look: 1 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 1.75

Overly hopped Belgian ales is just a really bad idea. The two flavor profiles do not go well together. I believe that the hop profile of Belgian ales should be gently stitched into the backround. Belgian yeast strains married to a properly malted barley is a beautiful thing. A menage a trois with some big hops might sound interesting, but it just messes things up.
This particular selection was unattractive to look at. The color was OK, but it was cloudy and filled with rather large suspended particles...even after carefully pouring into a glass; too much reliance on bottle conditioning rather than secondary fermentation. I found it to have too much carbonation, and too large of a head.
Spend your beer funds on some of the other great Belgian ales at your disposal. This one was hard to swallow.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 06:46:58 | More by glb3

Murrhey

Montana

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 300ml bottle into a wine glass in high elevation Libby, Mont. Expectations are rather high. Reviewed live.

A- Two finger white fluffy head with active carbonation. Peaked, fluffy lacing. Very long retention. Body is a red-orange with medium clarity. Very attractive looking beer.

S- Fragrant hops, Belgian yeasts. Apples and other light fruits.

T- Sour and bitter, buttery and light.

M- Chewy and creamy. Strange feel. Has the carbonation of a West Coast IPA with the vinous qualities of a Belgian. Combines both nicely. Finishes dry.

O- Wonderful beer, tasty and easy to drink. Hops aren't killer, and the Belgian notes aren't too off-putting for my palate. Looks amazing.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 08:26:05 | More by Murrhey

MikeB20

Delaware

3.35/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

P: 750ml bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Pours a hazy amber with a large foamy off white head. Lacing is very nice and remains throughout the glass.

S: A little barnyard typical of some Belgian yeasts. Lots of caramel sweetness with some alcohol. The hops have a citrus character to them, grapefruit and orange peel come to mind. I'm getting some sourness as the beer warms.

T: Lots of caramel up front with a solid bitterness to finish. A rind-like flavor from the hops. I thought there would be more complexity but it's fairly straight forward, sweet and then bitter. The Belgian yeast flavors are faint, as they're probably overpowered by the hops. Not really what I would consider an IPA but it's stated as such on the label.

M: Moderate body and carbonation. Slick on the tongue with some lingering bitterness.

O: I wasn't sure what I was in for when I poured this beer, I was expecting a highly hopped Belgian and for the most part that's what I got. It has some Belgian characteristics and some more of an IPA but it doesn't really blend either to that great of a result. The hops end up being more bitter than flavorful and the Belgian notes are lost on your tongue. This isn't a bad beer by any means, just not a great one.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 20:42:31 | More by MikeB20

beerdrifter

Germany

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at my favorite beer store in Belgium, Dranken Geers. Hazy amber-yellow pour with an off-white two finger head with good retention and lacing. Very tropical and earthy nose with hints of pineapple and mango along with orange peel, caramel, bready malt and a touch of apricot. The nose follows suit with hints of pineapple, apricot, pine, grapefruit, mango, candy sugar, caramel, and a bit of grass and biscuit as well. Not your typical Belgian IPA as this leans a bit more towards the West Coast. The mouthfeel is a bit fizzy and slightly oily and boozey on the finish. I had this on tap at Moeder Lambic in Brussels last week and forgot to ask if it was the Special Edition version as it was much bolder with a huge fresh hop character. This bottled version is still a very solid IPA, but I preferred the draft.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 17:17:14 | More by beerdrifter

DavidST

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into tulip glass, 2012 Sorachi ace edition, best before august 2015. This pours an extremely carbonated massive off white head, the color is a hazy orangish golden color, the head has good retention and leaves a lacing. The smells a little barnyard and funk along with some medium lemon grass hops and a decent caramel backbone. The feel is medium to even thick for an ipa. The taste is good but lighter than an ipa, light hops and caramel, belgian funk.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 05:01:25 | More by DavidST

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into chalice, best before 5/3/2013 printed on the cork. Pours extremely cloudy reddish orange color with a 2 finger dense light khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big caramel, orange, grapefruit, citrus rind, pineapple, herbal, floral, grass, molasses, honey, bread, toast, light pine, and light earthy spiciness. Very nice aromas with good balance, strength, complexity; the bottle age is definitely apparent being that this is a Belgian IPA. Taste of caramel, grapefruit, orange zest, grass, herbal, floral, toast, biscuit, honey, pine, earth, and light herbal spiciness. Light bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, citrus zest, grass, herbal, floral, toast, biscuit, honey, earth, and light pine on the finish for a good bit. Excellent flavor balance and complexity; great hop/malt flavor balance; zero cloying flavors present on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a creamy and slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Belgian IPA! Great hop/malt balance and nice complexity; extremely smooth to sip on for a 9% beer. A very enjoyable offering as I expected.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 04:01:22 | More by superspak

stcules

Italy

2.55/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Orange, quite hazy. Creamy white head.
In the smell ripe pear, apricot in syrup, and sugar and molasse. Too sweet.
The hop?
A bit better taste, less sugary and less ripe fruity.
Warming and alcoholic, but after a bit, quite boring.
Eminently alcoholic aftertaste.
Not balanced, not really inviting for a second taste.
(ps. Belgian IPA?)

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 20:37:11 | More by stcules

Zorro

California

3.3/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear copper colored beer with a tall yellowish white head.

Smell is sweet and hoppy. Toffee and coriander with leaf tobacco scent. Scent of apple skins and olive oil.

Starts out semisweet and woody with a strong tea flavor. Distinct wood hop flavor here lots of strong tea. Not really tasting like a Belgian IPA here, much more like an East Coast IPA with English style hops. OK I am disappointing, expected more.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Overall average at best. Save you money and buy the American version.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 01:50:36 | More by Zorro

metter98

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is hazy orange in color and has lots of large yeast particles visible near the bottom of the glass. It poured with a thin white head that never completely faded away.
S: There are aromas of sweet caramel malts in the nose along with some notes of yeast.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of caramel malts and yeast along with hints of orange citrus.
M: It feels a bit more than medium-bodied and a little thick on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. Neither alcohol warming nor crispness detectable.
O: The heavier mouthfeel and malty caramel flavors definitely make this feel like it’s a strong IPA but any traces of alcohol are well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 12:22:10 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a very hazy to cloudy golden orange in color with very light amounts of visible carbonation and a significant amount of yeast particles in suspension (mostly white and fairly large). The beer has a half finger tall creamy light beige head that slowly reduces to a medium sized patch of large bubbles, a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer, and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of bready and caramel malts with fairly strong flavors of yeast and just a touch of earthy hops.

T: Moderate flavors of bready and caramel malts with some yeast and orange peel (not unlike a witbier). Very light notes of earthiness which I attribute to hops and very light amounts of bitterness which fade quickly.

M: Slightly heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Not the greatest smell to this beer but not sure if that has something to do with the age of the beer or if that is just how it is... The flavor is still quite enjoyable and the alcohol is very well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 21:37:04 | More by dbrauneis

Tone

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy, orange/copper color. 1/3 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of yeast, citrus hops, citrus, sweet malt, and slight tart notes. Fits the style of a Belgian IPA. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, slight alcohol, slight hops, hint of citrus, and a hint of yeast. Overall, good appearance, aroma, body, and blend. Even though there is a high ABV, it is well blended and not too strong in body.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 01:35:04 | More by Tone

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a Troubadour tulip (proper!). Poured red-orange with a two and a half finger slightly off-white head that subsided to one finger slowly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, fruit, citrus, citrus hop, earth, and earth hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, fruit, citrus, citrus hop, spice, and big sweetness. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a fairly decent brew. First off, the sweetness on the flavor of this one was almost too much as my score will attest to. Luckily there were some citrus notes that helped to bring it back to an average brew for the style, but there was really no real balance going on here which was very saddening to me. Glad I got the chance to try it, but doubt I would order a glass again if there were other options available.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2012 11:44:02 | More by thagr81us

ADZA

Australia

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On the label it states a strong amber ale with dry hopping sounds right up my alley and pours a hazy golden amber hue which leaves a two finger head and lacing everywhere,the smell is marzipan,mandarins,boiled candy,grapefruit and fruitcake,the mouthfeel is full bodied and has tastes of lemon sherbet,mandarins,grapefruit,heather honey,lemon tea and finished with a toffee bittersweetness and overall i like it and would drink again anyday of the year cheers.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 12:48:02 | More by ADZA

MadScientist

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: A pale amber a very slight haze and an extremely long lasting, cream off-white head.

S: The initial aromas are of moderate hops and fruity esters, mostly orange. There is a moderately-light sweet malt aroma with notes of honey and caramel. The alcohol aroma is moderately strong.

T: A muted citrus and light pine hops flavor with a solid hops bitterness. There is some malt support but the balance is solidly on the bitter side. There is some citrus esters and a moderate spiciness, mostly pepper and clove.

M: Smooth and cream with a medium-light body and moderate carbonation followed by a very warming alcohol heat.

O: The hops flavor is dull but I'm sure this wasn't a fresh example. The alcohol isn't very restrained and is a touch on the boozy side but overall a pretty good beer with a substantial bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 02:20:59 | More by MadScientist

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 330ml bottle with a BB of July 2012. Acquired ages ago from a Belgian webshop. The label describes it as an amber ale with dry hopping and secondary fermentation (not explicitly stated as an IPA).

Poured into a Duvel tulip. A rich, hazy orange-amber hue with good carbonation and chunky sediment. Produces a huge head of creamy off-white foam with excellent retention; this lasts for ages before subsiding to a thick surface layer. Aroma of sweet malt with notes of spicy aromatic hops, sugar, caramel, dried fruit and yeast esters. A warming whiff of booze in the background.

Tastes of sweet malt with a fruity yeast character. Notes of earthy yeast, dried fruit, candy sugar, caramel, subtle aromatic hops, fruity yeast esters and stewed hops. Dry, with a spicy, astringent quality. Faint bitterness and a hint of solvent/alcohol in the background. Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, with good body. Rather astringent - dries the palate. Aftertaste of sweet malt, yeast and stewed hops.

Pretty good - a tasty brew. Not sure if it really qualifies as a Belgian IPA, but then I don't know the brewer's intentions. Also, I suspect the bottle is rather old and therefore the hop character has probably faded. Sweet, fruity malt and lots of yeast notes in the flavour. The hops are present in the aroma but less so when tasting. Quite boozy. A tasty beer; worth sampling if you have the chance.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 23:32:06 | More by jazzyjeff13

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a tulip- pours hazy dark copper color with lots of sediment, lots of creamy head (three fingers), exceptional retention, and nice lacing.

Nose is full and round- pale Belgian malts, earthy yeast, candi sugar, and a little pine hops. Very enticing.

Taste is perhaps a little disappointing but still very good. Pale malt and candi sugar up front, punctuated by a little pine hoppiness, which melds with the yeast to finish pretty sweet but a little dry. A little alcohol warming on the way down.

Mouthfeel is fine- medium body with light carbonation. Definitely could use some more bubbles on this one. Undeniably a good brew but for the style I think Houblon Chouffe is preferable.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 00:17:11 | More by Hopdaemon39

bskrtz

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11.2 ounce bottle served at 42 degrees in glass beer challis

A) Murky glowing brass soup with lots of suspended yeasties and tiny bubbles. Short white head dissapates quickly leaving a quarter inch cover

S) Sweet citrus fruit, sour dough, mild ginger bread spice, alchohol esthers all in perfect proportion. Yummy.

T) Outstanding. Orange, apricot, sweet caramel. Alcohol? Yes, but I can't taste it

M) Ample carbonation, thick and sticky. Effervescent fizz.

O) An excellent triple. I will run, not walk, back to wence I came and buy more.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 01:19:56 | More by bskrtz

RappAttack

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: very pretty almost orange in color with a think white head that sticks to the glass
S: smells of citrusy hops and Belgium yeast
T: citrusy hps come through in the taste along wiht some sour esters and sweet finish
M: carbonation makes this very enjoyable and refreshing med- body
O: a solid brew but a four pack runs prety steep go with the 750. One of the nicer looking beers out there

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 23:11:23 | More by RappAttack

martja

South Carolina

4.48/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a nice belgian that poured a cloudy orange with a one-finger lacing head. Its got a nice citris, malty, spicy aroma. The hoppy taste came in right behind a sweet citris intro, but was perfect to cut what could have been an overly sweet taste. The beer is on the thicker side, but the hopps really come to life as you drink this one. Overall, this is a pretty good Belgian beer with a failrly unique blend of sweet citris and hoppiness.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 21:44:48 | More by martja

MightyMonk

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This Belgian is world class IMO. I have not had a bad beer yet from Troubadour.
The aroma is of citrus notes, floral, spicy, clean. Pours a nice orange hue with a large frothy head that stays in the glass to the end with nice lacing.
The taste hits with citrus and some malt, biscuit, bready, yeasty notes with the signature Belgian spice bite. Wonderful taste overall. Warming alcohol in the stomach.
Overall a world class Belgian. Enjoy one today!

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 02:04:21 | More by MightyMonk

Holland

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: cloudy amber orange color with a thick, foamy off-white head that lasts for a long time. I see a lot of floating matter.

S: citrus, fruity esters, thick malt smell, and some yeast

T: bitter and citrus hops with light malt and fruity esters and yeast flavors

M: very smooth, highly carbonated, and creamy/foamy with a medium-heavy body

O: This beer is heavier and creamier than other belgian IPAs I have tried. It's good, but not incredibly drinkable. I'll have it again in a few years when my preferences change again.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 23:13:04 | More by Holland