Burly Belgo India Pale Ale - North Peak Brewing Company

Lillenk

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Grill One Eleven.

Appearance was light golden color with a very nice white head.

Smell was hugely of hops and citrus but still some lingering smells of the yeasts.

Taste was fantastic. One of my newest favorites in the category. Tons of hops and the belgian yeasts were exactally what I was looking for.

Mouthfeel was not as heavy as I would expect for an IPA but it worked very well and overall this was a fantastic beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2011 21:24:50 | More by Lillenk

cosmicevan

New York

3.35/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to genuinedisciple for tossing this my way. Bottle is dated January 9, 2012 so I better drink this puppy now.

a - brew poured a murky orange with about 80% of the glass as foamy head. the head left huge chunks of lacing.

s - candied belgian yeast. smells like a belgian pale ale, but this is 8 months old, so i wouldn't expect any hops.

t - candied belgian sugar with a bit of a bittery finish.

m - medium bodied, but bitter ending.

o - overall, not bad, but i wish i would've gotten to try this within 3 months. an ipa beyond that is really a former shadow of itself, even a belgian ipa. this was essentially a belgian pale ale with a bittery finish. meh.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 00:04:00 | More by cosmicevan

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is about as good as it's going to get for a Belgian IPA from anyone, be it on this side of the water or the other. The characteristics are fluid and thorough on all aspects. The only minor detracting point is that there is a somewhat burn to it. But it seems to play a part in the whole ride. The carbonation also seems to a bit biting. No matter though. This really is an outstanding beer and a true pleasure to be able to try. I hope you get the chance to get this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 18:07:35 | More by RblWthACoz

dorianmarley

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a cloudy orange brown, like a light apple cider. Head is thick and fluffy like an off-white cloud. The lacing is as sticky as it gets; clinging to the glass like a spider web.

Nose is malty; slightly musty, with green apple candy and pear.

Taste is a sharp bite of hops, with toasted almond, plenty of biscuit, and smooth caramel. There is also some buttery oak.

Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy, refreshing, with a lot of carbonation and hop bite.

Overall, this is a biting IPA, but not your typical overdose of hops.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 03:33:47 | More by dorianmarley

bigkingken

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This guy had a gigantic head when he got poured. I don’t know if it was a carbonation issue or an older bottle, but it’s not normal. Once I sucked the foam out – which wasn’t the worst thing in the world – I finally got down to business. I didn’t pick up a lot of scent, but it could have been blocked by the aforementioned foam. It’s a good marriage of styles – hoppy and bitter on the front but sweet and belgiany on the end. It’s a good summer brew for the back porch at sunset. But honestly, I’m not a huge fan of Belgians, and if I want an IPA, I’ll get an IPA. Not quite refreshing enough to score high marks there and not quite IPAy enough to score high marks there. So while an interesting beer and well worth the bottle, I will not be purchasing this on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 18:38:49 | More by bigkingken

nrbw23

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours an amber color with a cream colored head. Head has pretty solid retention and leaves some spotty lacing.

S- There's the Beligan yeast, a good amount of tropical fruits, clove, and Earthy.

T- A great mixture of Beligan yeast and spice and hoppiness.

M- Medium in both body and carbonation.

O- I was pretty surprised by this one and really impressed. I'll big this one up again down the road some time.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 10:55:02 | More by nrbw23

meepmeep

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into snifter. Bottle date 1/9/12.

A: A darker, burnt orange color. Had a large, fluffy, off-white head which dissipated to an almost solid ring, leaving some fluffy lacing on the sides.

S: Mostly of Belgian yeast and citrus, a little spicy smell, and a slight hop aroma. The aroma overall is a little subdued compared to some Belgian IPAs.

T: Starts out smooth and yeasty, orange, banana, and citrus flavors are prominent. Honey and malts are present in the middle but this is balanced with the crispness and bitterness of the hops. The hops come through mostly at the finish and linger in the mouth.

M: Good, moderate carbonation, slightly sticky mouthfeel, with lingering bitterness.

O: A very drinkable beer, the alcohol is almost unnoticeable. Quite pleasant and balanced, although personally I was looking for a bit more Belgian quality to the beer. However, I enjoy this style a lot and this is definitely a solid contender.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 21:12:57 | More by meepmeep

superspak

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled 1/30/2012. Pours hazy red orange color with a fairly dense 2-3 finger light khaki head with good retention that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Some spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of big clove, pepper, banana, orange, biscuit, grass, and yeast spices. Some nice aromas but they are a bit muted. Taste of banana, clove, pepper, orange, grass, floral, earth, biscuit, and yeast spice. Good amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of banana, pepper, clove, biscuit, and floral on the finish for a bit. Great flavor balance with good complexity. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy mouthfeel. Alcohol is almost invisible with almost no warming present on the finish. Very drinkable and smooth. Overall this is an excellent Belgian IPA. Nice complexity, balance, and smoothness. I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 05:02:55 | More by superspak

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from the bottle into a Napoli Grande glass

A- Poured a dark opaque rust orange color with fluffy three finger head that leaves some droppy lace

S- Aroma of sweet citrus, candy like sweetness, bubblegum, Belgian yeast, and some spice

T- Nice orange peel taste, sweeter citrus, bubblegum, and Belgian yeast. Pretty big malt backbone, some cereal graininess.

M- Medium mouthfeel, a little sticky, moderate carbonation, not quite dry on the finish

O- This is a nice drinkable belgian style ale. It has the citrus notes, but they remind me more of orange peel in a belgian wit than citrusy hops for an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 00:50:08 | More by Hoptometrist

Brenden

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Burly is a thickly clouded medium orange in color. The lightly orange-tinted head billows to nearly three fingers in height, at once both creamy and rocky, eventually receding to a thick island of foam that leaves good lacing in patches before and after a tattered curtain left in the middle.
The nose is fairly aromatic, offering up the Belgian yeast with an added gently dusty quality that balances with citrus rind and tropical notes.
The flavor leaves no room to question that this beer is an IPA, with orange rind, grapefruit and a hint of leafiness in the bitterness making up the major component combined with some tropical fruits and bready as well as caramel-like malts without losing the Belgian yeast element. This is a very well-made brew.
Smooth up front with enough crispness to make it interesting, the medium body is enough to support the depth while a moderate carbonation makes it flow nicely.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 17:09:19 | More by Brenden

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep medium copper color with a huge fluffy white head that persists forever. Smells of citrus, lemon, grapefruit with a hint of honey and candy sugar. Light Belgian yeast esters round out the nose quite well. Taste is sweet with light sugar honey and sweet malt. Citrus hops fight against spicy peppery phenolic for a shot at your taste buds. Medium body with a spirited level of carbonation and a sweet sharp mouthfeel. Nice take on a new style. I enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 00:57:16 | More by johnnnniee

hosehead83

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from stubby "retro" bottle into a standard pint glass.
Cloudy copper/gold in color, with a nice head of bone-white foam.
Aroma-Spicy yeast, faint hop note
Taste-Belgian spicy yeast, fruity hops in the background. A bit more on the Belgian side of things. Could use a bit bigger dose of hops in my opinion, but not bad by any means.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 16:57:49 | More by hosehead83

schoolboy

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is very much like several other American Belgian IPA's, and that is a good thing. As soon as you open it you get a nice big hit of unsophisticated in your face hops, yeast and malt.

you pour it into a big head that susides quickly leaving lace and a bit of haze. Extremely appetizing.

The taste is very hoppy. Perhaps too much for the listed style, but just fine for this drinker. Aftertaste is similar. This is a winner and I will buy it again and compare with other similar american blegian ipas.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 01:28:51 | More by schoolboy

movingtrain

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours amber in color, decent cream colored head on top with really nice carbonation throughout.

Up front in the nose are notes of raisins, dates, rolled oats, vanilla, wet wood, some clove, and some grapefruit citrus notes.

The Belgian notes are there..that chalky, gypsum note, along with some really good, earthy notes. After that, there are notes of oats, cinnamon, black peppercorn, and honey. There is a bitter bite on the back end of this beer, and the hop presence is most evident there. In fact, after the warm, bready notes fade away, there is an incredibly, hoppy astringency left that lingers quite some time.

At first sip, this beer seemed a bit hollow (as far as the style goes). But, as the beer warms, and with each sip, the Belgian elements funk up and really highlight a fine IPA underneath, leaving a bitter hop bite at the end.

Overall, a really good beer...another fine brew from North Peak. The beer is a bit deceiving at first sip, but as it warms, and with each sip after, the flavors open up and reallly shine.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 00:05:18 | More by movingtrain

warnerry

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from last year's release. Fresh bottle.

A - Pours a slightly hazy dark straw color with two fingers of creamy head and lots carbonation rising and sticking to the sides of the glass.

S - Citrus hops and some sweet and bready malts. Definitely a hint of bubblegum as well. Nice.

T - Not a hop bomb, but the citrus hops definitely come on first, followed by a nice breadiness and a pleasant bitter finish. Flavors mesh together really nicely.

M - Medium mouthfeel with lots of carbonation, maybe a bit too much, with a nice lingering bitterness.

O - Nice balanced flavors. Easily the best beer I've had from North Peak and hopefully a sign of things to come.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 17:26:09 | More by warnerry

cneville

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours with a larger head than expected, good golden color. Smell is a little spicy, with the hops underneath. Very complex notes, a little citrusy, minty? Taste is the kicker here--great level of bitter, spice again, with good earthy hops. Alcohol is present, but in a good way. Finishes very dry, maybe a little too much so. Overall, an excellent beer--not quite as good as Sumpin' Wild, but good nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 00:35:35 | More by cneville

BB1313

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled on Jan. 30, 2012; pretty fresh. 12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Pours a transparent golden copper, very nice fluffy white head, sticky lacing and nice retention. The aromas are very nice, but I'm not picking up any hops. The yeast and funk is there and is pleasant, but where are the hops? Tastes more like an IPA than it smells. It does lack some fruity hops, which I was looking for, but it's still bitter. Finishes slightly spicy. There's also a touch of black pepper. I'm also picking up some banana and candied sugars in the flavors. Tasty, but the hops don't necessarily dominate or keep up with the belgian funk. Mouthfeel is light, thin, crisp and maybe a tad overboard on the carbonation, but smooth enough. Alcohol goes unnoticed and this one's pretty easy to drink.

Not a bad beer at all, but it falls short compared to Sumpin' Wild and Raging Bitch.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 21:40:15 | More by BB1313

StoutHunter

Michigan

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked up a bottle of North Peak's Burly Belgo India Pale Ale a few days ago for $1.89 at The Lager Mill. I missed out on this beer last year so when I heard it was released again I knew I had to track down a bottle to try, so lets see how it goes. Bottled January 9th 2012. Poured from a stubby brown 12oz bottle into a imperial pint glass.

A- The label looks good, for some reason I like the way that the white and gray colors go together on the label. It poured a nice golden yellow color with an orange tint and was slightly hazy and it had four fingers worth of really fluffy white head that died down to a thick layer that stayed till the end and left some nice lacing. The head was a little out of control but this was still a good looking beer.

S- The first thing that I pick up is a mixture of Belgian yeast and citrus hops, the Belgian yeast imparts that typical spicy yeast aroma and the hops impart a nice blend of citrus fruits with grapefruit and blood orange sticking out the most. In the middle I pick up a little bit of grainy malts that have a pretty high amount of sweetness. The aroma is pretty nice and all about the yeast and hops.

T- The flavors seems to be similar to the aroma, it starts off with some Belgian yeast that imparts some spicy flavors with cloves sticking out the most. Immediately after the yeast comes the hops which impart some lighter citrus hops with some floral hops showing up, the hops impart some flavors that are similar to the aroma just lighter. I also pick up some rich grainy malts towards the end with a low amount of medium bitterness and and spicy and slightly citrusy aftertaste. The flavor is good but I wish that the citrus hops were as bold as the Belgian yeast.

M- Smooth, crisp, medium bodied, and it had a high amount of medium carbonation. I thought that the mouthfeel was good and it worked well with this beer.

Overall I thought this was a good beer and an above average Belgian IPA, most everything about this beer was true to style with no off flavors. This beer had ok drinkability, I could probably go for another one but after that I think the spices would start to wear on me. What I liked most about this beer was the appearance and the aroma they were both pretty good and true to style. What I liked least about this beer was the imbalance between the Belgian yeast and the citrus hops, if the citrus hops were kicked up some the Belgian yeast wouldn't be so dominating and it would make for a more balanced beer. I might buy this beer again when looking for a Belgian IPA, but if Little Sumpin Wild and Raging Bitch are available I would go with one of those. If you are a big fan of Belgian IPA's this is worth a try but I don't think it is a top tier Belgian IPA. This is another solid beer from North Peak, it seems like they specialize in hoppy beers. While this was a good and solid Belgian IPA, it is my least favorite of the three Belgian IPA's I have tried so far with Raging Bitch sill being my favorite, if this beer had better balance between hops and yeast it would be right up there with Raging Bitch, good job guys.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 04:42:48 | More by StoutHunter

mactrail

California

3.73/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hits you right off with the grapefruit flavor, but not so intense with the bitterness as some typical IPAs. Classic beery amber color. Nice lacing, but carbonation is rather coarse in the mouth. Quite fragrant with a hint of the barnyard and a bit of sunshine on the pine needles. Flowery in the nose as you sip. A touch of vinegary funk. Fairly rich with malt, though mouthfeel is on the lighter side. Big flavors and yet another interesting riff on the Belgian flavors adapted to big hop brews.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 02:11:15 | More by mactrail

marcobrau

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear light golden hue with a white fluffy head. Streamers shoot up from the bottom of the tasting glass. Some little bits of lace. Light citrus aroma with a touch a fresh cut hay. Nice and dry, with an assertive yet delicate hop flavor and a touch of phenols in the moderately bitter finish. Really nice and dry, but almost too dry. The bitterness takes some time to coat the tongue and causes me to slow down with this beer. Excellent summer IPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 01:56:16 | More by marcobrau

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #52 (May 2011):

North Peak speaks to us of hoppy Belgians, wooing us with a cute, stubby bottle and classic-style label design. Off-white, merengue-like head; hazed amber color. Extreme aromatics here: tangerine-lime citrics, mint, jasmine and papaya. The smoothness even speaks in Flemish ... such a lush mouthfeel. Earthy, leafy hop flavor with a rounded bitterness, and nutty yeast with a mild toasted bready malt. Fruity and spicy with a mild warming alcohol. Hops scrape across the palate in the dry-ish aftertaste. Amazing in its own way, as it flaunts its rustic side without losing any drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 14:31:39 | More by BeerAdvocate

Mitchster

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

$2.09 for a single @ Bevco. 6.5% ABV.
Pours out to a clear medium amber, forming a tall, quickly expanding and sustained meringue-like white head with excellent retention and solid lacing. Good looking beer. Firmly carbonated. The aroma is of husky pilsen malt, saison like spiciness of pepper, clove and pears, and firm, floral hops. Mouthfeel is powdery and light. The taste is a recap of the aroma...pears, floral hops, pepper and cloves. Firm bitterness, but not to the point of being obtrusive. Finishes with lemon pepper in the aftertaste.

One of the better beers I've had from North Peak bottles. Best to drink this one as fresh as you can get it.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 23:28:28 | More by Mitchster

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to mikesgroove for this stubby bottle. Split into tulips.

A: Slightly cloudy golden amber hue. Two fingers of off white head recede leaving thick lace rings.

S: Typical Belgian IPA spice profile. Hops blended with spicy yeast, coriander, clove and a hint of citrus.

T: Again the flavor runs the gamut of Belgo IPA. Solid hop burst with clove and coriander. Hint of citrus and malt as it finishes.

M: Medium body with a good amount of carbonation. Bone dry finish.

O: This is a style I still have no love for. That being said it's very well done. From an American brewery to boot.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 17:26:52 | More by beerwolf77

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz grenade bottle split and poured into a Central Waters tulip.
6.5% ABV, Bottled on Feb 0311.

I sound like a broken record. Thanks again Beerwolf77!

A - Burly pours ever-so-slightly hazy with a goldenrod hue and well-retained bone head. Classic Belgian lace coats the glass.

S - Mango and grapefruit shavings complicate the Belgian yeast strain nicely. Spicy notes add depth to the hop blend. Very inviting!

T - The citrusy hops take an American turn to what we might normally expect in an IPA. The Belgian twist is a bit thinner in flavor than aroma though. Spicy notes come through with a mild finish.

M - Somewhat bitter and dry, it's got a harder finish that isn't conducive to constantly drinking. Medium-light bodied.

O - Lost between the two styles, the flavor doesn't quite get there like the aroma does, but it's definitely not a failed attempt! I was very excited to try this one after really enjoying Diabolical. A good brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 18:23:09 | More by BeerFMAndy

ssimpson89

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden amber with orange hue, clean and clear. Pleasant aroma, can smell the Belgian influence, subtle, not overpowering.

Subtle flavors that work, but understated. Some bitterness, but it's not an in your face IPA.

Liighter bodied, smooth mouthfeel, decent carbonation, with a good bite in the finish. After taste lingers for awhile.

This is a really solid beer, but stops just short of making me go "wow".

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 23:13:21 | More by ssimpson89