Brainless Belgian-Style Golden Ale - Epic Brewing Co.

Wasatch

Utah

2/5  rDev -47.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

22oz. Bomber
Elevated Series
Release #1
$5.89 ea.

Poured into a chalice a cloudy pale yellow color, some carbonation, tiny fizzy white head, minimal sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some yeast notes, banannas, corinander, pears, slight pepper note. The taste is malty, yeasty, with some banannas/corinander/pears, and pepper. Medium body. Would not buy this brew again.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2010 18:30:41 | More by Wasatch

cbarrett4

Oregon

2.98/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured into taster (4 oz) at Belmont Station:

I asked the bartender if she had accidentally poured me a lager...

Very clear golden with little head, really clear...

Smells of bread and yeast, a little light fruit. The palate is way off though... really has a lager like character, bready, malty thing with that faint metallic twinge. Reminds me of Bavarian hops.

Light bodied and simple. I really did ask and was assured by the bartender that it was in fact this beer (the brewer was actually there that night - though I didn't ask him!)

I'll try again if I see somewhere else and update.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 20:38:21 | More by cbarrett4

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, a small fruitiness and a small dry yeastiness. In the taste, a small fruitiness, with a dry candy sugar. A smooth and a medium to bigger bodied mouthfeel, with a dry candy sugar in the aftertaste. Kind of bland, somewhat grapey and yeasty.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 18:51:04 | More by OWSLEY069

mrandypandy

Georgia

3.1/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

22oz bottle purchased directly at the brewery.

A- Pours a crystal clear golden/straw with bronze highlights. Thin, whispy white head.
S- Bready malts with some belgian yeasty esters and a touch of sweetness.
T- Strong fruity sweetness, almost cloying. A bit more alcohol than I'd like.
M - Medium body; the sweetness makes it feel thicker than it really is.
D- Eh, I didn't really want to finish my glass, let alone a whole bottle. Too heavy, too sweet, and the alcohol burn in the finish doesn't help.

Overall- Not a fan. Powerful, yes, complex, no. Zero hops and an assault of sweetness. I won't be going back for more.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2010 01:05:17 | More by mrandypandy

Phelps

Arizona

3.1/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured into a shaker pint at Tops.

Brainless is part of Epic's Elevated Series, made to showcase variability within a given beer style -- in this case, the deceptively drinkable Belgian golden strong ale, which Epic has modified with light Belgian candy sugar and flaked oats, among other additions.

This changeability follows even in Epic's release of the same beer, with the brewers apparently tweaking their recipes by varying the malt and hop bills as well as the ABV every few batches. The release I sampled was Brainless' 16th, brewed in February with fewer Saaz hops than previous iterations, which the brewers claim allows the spice of the other two varietals -- Tettnang and Premiant -- to prevail.

A pale straw gold brew with absolute clarity, Brainless makes an attempt at classic Belgian aromas with notes of pear and apple juice, white pepper and clove, while some tangy grain looms in the background, throwing things just a bit off-kilter.

Sweet pear syrup, apple juice, crackers and some spices appear in the flavor as well, accented by peppery carbonation amidst an expansive, pillowy body. The sugary flavors do a commendable job of hiding the alcohol content, but subtle hints of the booze poke through and become more noticeable as heat warms the chest. Swallow and a gentle dryness will attempt to cleanse the palate, but with limited success -- this is saccharine stuff.

Despite all the grey matter that went into making it, Brainless is aptly named -- in that you don't need a brain to enjoy it. It's refreshing enough, but a bit too sweet and absolutely lacking the complexity of more established Belgian ales. It may appeal to the masses, but it won't inspire deep thought.

I might try Brainless with seafood -- garlic-spiced mussels or juicy crab cakes would work well. For dessert, pair it with a sugar cookie or two. Brainless is already sweet, but its spicy yeast will temper the cookie's sugary qualities somewhat, while the energetic carbonation chases flavors away and prepares you for the next sip.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2011 23:04:52 | More by Phelps

ccrida

Oregon

3.15/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Clear gold with a small white head leaving decent lace, hampered by draft perhaps to some degree, but nevertheless clearly not emblematic of the style.
Fruity, estery nose, a bit phenolic, a little wood/stemmy hops, lightly herbal.
Taste is heavily phenolic, a little hoppy, some bitterness.
Light, dry mouthfeel, a little oily.
Eh, average duvel clone. Forgettable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2012 21:17:38 | More by ccrida

mactrail

California

3.18/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Light amber color in the tall tulip. Decent head. Standard carbonation. Tastes a little syrupy. Fairly sturdy mouthfeel.

Distinct and bold Belgian flavors. Deep and raspy, combined with a rather sugary taste. Quite fruity with pineapple and something like sweet guava nectar. On the hot side. A fair amount of bitterness, though not real hop flavor. This does seem like some sort of high-octane fruit drink. I keep expecting the caffeine overdose to kick in.

Interesting but not as sippable as so many beers in this category. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Sugar House state store. Release #32 - 8.5% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 06:08:49 | More by mactrail

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A solid offering from Epic. Brainless is a good description, not because I think it's stupid or anything like that, but because you don't need a brain to enjoy it.

A light orange, clear pour with bubbles going to the ceiling, but the big ass foamy head captures them. Mouth waters....

Aroma is a touch scattered, for lack of better term. The soft biscuit backbone is squished by alcohol and yeast. Spice comes in and doesn't go away.

Spices like coriander and clove. A bit medicinal in the middle. Malt is gone until the very end. Orange zest and rosemary (?) come and go. The flavors jump around and the carbonation makes them dance away. The alcohol give it heat and accentuates this lifting. Faint malt finish

Best not the think on this one, just enjoy it

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 20:12:02 | More by Mebuzzard

GrandTetonHustle

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: nice golden-yellow-brown color, clear, with good frothy head
S:Fruity, banana and clove, typical of a Belgian
T: Fruity, malty not much for an alcohol taste, a bit of banana and clove
M: creamy, full bodied
O:solid, what I expect from an American take on a Belgian style. First of the epic bombers for me but I will be trying more.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 00:31:41 | More by GrandTetonHustle

yemenmocha

Arizona

3.28/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a rather luminous golden color with slight haze. Nose is bready & fruity, some esters too. Palate is much fuller bodied than expected for what I thought a Belgian blonde would have ( the oats perhaps). Syrupy pear fruity flavors take over for me, candy sugar like in witbiers, and brings to mind triples as well. Finishes sweet and slight alcohol warmth.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 02:18:27 | More by yemenmocha

Glibber

Idaho

3.3/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Great looking beer with a strong yellow color and a big white head that remained for most of the beer. A nice belgian beer smell- floral and alcohol. Despite the smell, the taste alcohol was hidden well- and this could be considered a light tasting Belgian. Some nice hops, but not the complex flavor I was anticipating. Been drinking alot of high end Belgians lately, this was not one- but if you like light tasting beer with a bang- this is a good one for you.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2011 01:23:52 | More by Glibber

colt45n

Missouri

3.3/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Golden hazy yellow, light white fluffy head

S: Belgium funk all the way, very light and hay light grassiness

T: The belgium yeast is really all I am getting nothing particular about it.

Overall the brainless comes across as a basic belgium offering nothing to special about it, it does make a pretty good platform fot their other brainless offerings though

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 18:44:41 | More by colt45n

tchenery

Virginia

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Nice crisp straw-yellow. The head sticks around and the carbonation is visible and all is well.

I can smell some Saaz hops of sorts, maybe some other European hops, but it definitely smells like a pils. Slight bready toast coming through.

It tastes very Belgian-y just by the carbonation. The taste is mostly the Saaz-like hops and a dry malt base.

As far as mouthfeel goes, it kind of coats the entire inside of your mouth and is very drying. This leads to less drinkability but still a good brew especially for the price of a 22 oz.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 05:39:21 | More by tchenery

doucmehu

Wisconsin

3.43/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle purchased at the brewery a couple weeks ago, a generous gift from Dave's road trip case-o-bombers he gave me. He says it was a cool joint.

A: Nice golden straw glows underneath a small white head that sticks around for quite a while. Minimal lacing.

S: Soft and mellow Belgian yeast and malt, hint of spice and cereal grain.

T: Some dark fruit esters, Belgian yeast and bready malt, mild zesty spice, coriander. Nothing overpowering, well blended flavors.

M: Nice carbonation, smooth and buttery finish, some alcohol presence.

O: A solid Belgian style ale, definitely a more approachable, entry level offering as opposed to a true Belgian like Duvel. Everything is there, just slightly toned down.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 02:45:46 | More by doucmehu

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a hazy bright golden color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of sweet malt with some peppery yeast notes is interesting. Taste is a mix between somewhat overly sweet malt with notes of peppery yeast. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Not bad but just a bit too sweet for the style and a bit more complexity in the ester would have been a good improvement.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 19:32:33 | More by Phyl21ca

Gavage

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours a cloudy golden yellow color with a 1/2" head. Some spotty lacing develops.

Smell: pepper, grass, yeast, and a hint of fruit is detectable.

Taste: grass, yeast, pepper, pears, golden apples, lemon zest, and a moderate bitterness creates a nice flavor profile.

Mouthfeel: lcrisp from start to finish with a bit of drying late. Short lived aftertaste. Medium bodied.

Overall: a easy to quaff belgian style golden ale. Nice flavors but not one that blows you away - a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 19:07:00 | More by Gavage

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer #12 in the great Utah Brew Hunt.

This is quite a pungent Belgian ale. Very bready nose which turns into a soapy and over-ripe fruit flavor event that really clings to the roof of my mouth. I'd equate this beer to a shirt left on my floor. Jumbled up in a ball, wrinkled as can be, and in desperate need of an ironing. Decent. Not sure I'm quite prepared to drink a whole bomber of this, but nice enough to try.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 21:25:36 | More by RblWthACoz

JamnesCameron

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this one in my Birthday BIF box from mdfb79 (Dan). Thanks, Dan!

Poured into a New Belgium globe.

Pours a clear orange with a big white head that drops rather quickly. Leaves some lacing.

Aromas of medicinal, herbal, and minty. Bubblegum. Some fruity esters, and alcohol.

Flavors of bubblegum, medicinal, herbal, and minty, just like it smells. Strange combination of flavors. A little alcohol heat. Fruit, a little pithy citrus rind. Some carbonic bite as well. Finish is long with a warm, medicinal quality.

Mouthfeel is medium, light alcohol burn, good level of carbonation.

Overall a good example of a belgian golden ale. A bit harsh between the alcohol heat and carbonation bite.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 01:11:19 | More by JamnesCameron

argock

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap in a clear pint glass at Beer Run (Charlottesville, VA).

A: Clear golden with short 1/2-finger white head with nice lacing trailing down the glass.

S: Light fruity aromas of pear and apple, pale malt, and herbal, spicy hops are blunted by a fair amount of boozy alcohol.

T: The alcohol unfortunately is too forward and puts a damper on the estery yeast and light fruit flavors. The spicy hops and yeast contributions are especially good.

M: Silky smooth and a little too easy to consume despite its boozy profile. Carbonation has some bite and the body is medium-full.

D: A pretty good BSPA but a little to alcoholic for me.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 01:56:36 | More by argock

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First beer from this brewery. Pours a light golden color that is quite clear with a bit of visible carbonation. Fairly-large white head lasts for a time before falling and leaving behind a bit of lace. The nose is typical for the style, though does not stand out. Yeast of course provides the dominant characteristics. Some white pepper as well as a bit of mild earth. The taste is a bit flat with some faint pepper and a bit of miscellaneous spice. A touch of alcohol as well, though overall it's pretty tame. A pretty good offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 19:40:37 | More by Thorpe429

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber, release #11.

Pours a hazy golden yellow color with a half finger frothy white head that quickly settles into a thick lasting ring. Spots of lace left behind and visible carbonation bubbling up.

Slightly earthy aroma with boozy sweetness, zesty spice and light fruit notes. Belgian yeast character is prominent with hints of alcohol, bubblegum and apple. Peppery with hints of grassy hops. The nose is pretty subtle however, and nothing really stands out.

Medium bodied with a nice balance of earthy hops, peppery spice, Belgian yeast, alcohol and light fruit notes. Floral hops as well some zesty/peppery spice up front which is countered by the Belgian yeast characters and pale malts. Hints of candy sugar, apple, pear, alcohol and bread. Well balanced with a decently masked ABV. Tastes better than it smells with a nice mouthfeel but nothing extraordinary going on here.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 06:05:31 | More by corby112

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Recent bottle from New Jersey. Pours a deep yellow with only a thin head. Gives off yeast and boozy scent. Above average mouthfeel that contains taste of light peach, pepper,and a tad of bubble gum, but also it is bathed in alcohol. Drinkable as a sipper with a meal, but its somewhat of a beer cocktail.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 02:34:58 | More by northyorksammy

maximum12

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

"Brainless? Why yes, I think I'd like to try that. It seems like a lovely beer. Even a lifestyle to some, perhaps."

Batch #16, 22 oz. bottle fills up a pair of silver-rimmed Tulips of Darkness. This seems like a fitting beer after a heavy dinner of mashed potatoes, steak, & mushrooms. The pour girds the name: golden, indeed, though the name doesn't mention particulate solids. Nose is nice, gently spicy Belgian yeasting, soft hops, lots of sweet candied sugar & shot of earthiness.

Brainless Golden Ale is a good solider to the style & doesn't quite live up to the nose. The sweetness floods out the delicate niceties apparent in the nose; too much malt. Spiciness does assert itself somewhat & saves the experience. Crackles with pepper, green apples, & vague spices. Earthiness & hops on the nose break up & go MIA. Nice & crisp, & the mouthful of cane sugar makes this a nice sipper for a sweet tooth.

Good brew, solid Belgian Pale. That's all.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 02:41:29 | More by maximum12

Etan

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle, batch 19.

A: Pours an absolutely clear light gold with a decent white head and some lacing.

S: Strong yeast, lemon, pale malt and bright grain. Very sugary, slight funk.

T: Sugary, stone fruit, rice-like grain flavor, subtle solvent alcohol behind. Doughy and fruity, with a bit of a hoppy herbal note lingering on the end.

M: Light tingly carbonation, medium-bodied.

O: Not bad, but the alcohol shows a bit too much and the grain profile isn't rich enough.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 01:54:26 | More by Etan

trappistlover

Arizona

3.73/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(22oz bottle, Batch #17, 8.5% abv). Pours clear golden with white head. Active carbonation. Aroma of belgian yeast, green apple, spices, hard candy. Taste is sweet, with the rock candy and apple being prominent and a bit of hop bite that subsides as the sweet, yeasty malts resurface. Medium bodied with a slick, almost buttery, texture. Smooth finish that is almost cider-like. Solid offering from Epic!

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 04:42:13 | More by trappistlover