Baldwin Abbey 10 - Craftsman Brewing Co.

t0rin0

California

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Lucky Baldwins tonight, it was labeled as Craftsman Baldwin 10 but it tasted exactly the same as the Abbey 10 that I had there a few months ago. If thats the case then this really isn't a one off.

Pours a golden yellow. Fluffy head, pretty clear but a little hazy. Decent lacing.

Aroma is the real low point of this beer. Its almost all alcohol in the nose. Theres also some bubblegum flavor that actually reminded me of the Tripel White Sage, which was damn good. A little too boozy for me though.

Taste was crisp, sweet, bubblegum, and flowery. Again, parallels to Tripel White Sage. The alcohol didn't make itself known until it warmed up.

Body was heavier than I expected, possibly from using pale malt or munich malt or something instead of the traditional pilsner malt. Nice though. Ample CO2. Very drinkable until it warms up, then its noticeably alcoholic.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2008 07:13:16 | More by t0rin0

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a bomber filled at the brewery.

At first this beer reminded me of Surly's saison, Cynic Ale, but no, this beer is lighter and more authentically Belgian. The yeast really runs the flavor and aroma, and that's quite alright. The first flavor that hit me was a mellw bubble gum that was followed up by more traditional spices. Overall, a very tasty and dangerously drinkable beer. Find it if you're into pale Belgians.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2007 21:40:54 | More by tempest

MiScusi

California

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

On tap at Lucky Baldwin's Craftsman Fest, poured a lightly cloudy gold with a thin white head, left good lacing. The smell was very yeasty strong with lots of fruity esters as well. The taste is candy sweet, with fruit sweetness and a bit of yeast earthiness. The mouthfeel was very full and smooth on the lighter side and easily drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2007 05:22:49 | More by MiScusi

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer has an absolutely intoxicating aroma. Despite sitting in a distracting bar I sat and sniffed at this beer for quite some time before even thinking about taking a sip. The beer itself is a hazy amber color and is topped by a quite thin head typical of draught beer. The aroma has a nice fruitiness to it that seems like concentrated aromatic apples, plums and pears. Plus it has a light spiciness to it, that I can only surmise comes from the fermentation character. This spiciness provides a backdrop to the fruit & overall provides a nice balance. Just a spectacular aroma.

The flavors in this beer don't quite live up to the aroma, but they are still quite tasty. Notes of honey mixes with nice malt notes and the finish has notes of higher alcohols that somehow don't reach harsh, but ultimately provide some sharp balancing notes to the other flavors. This beer is quite sweet overall, but still not in any way cloying. I usually prefer a Belgian beer that is a bit drier, in fact I would probably prefer to lose the honey and caramel notes that are found here, or at least have them play a lesser role. I do like how the spicy fermentation character adds to the overall complexity. As is usual with draught Belgian beers, I wonder how much different (would it be better) this beer would taste if it were properly bottle conditioned.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2007 01:01:38 | More by Gueuzedude

drewbage

California

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

Hazy Gold with a low crispy white head in a Piraat Tulip at LB Sierra Madre. (While a large crowd
sings Ticket to Ride by the Beatles!)

While cold the starting aroma is of pineapple and cinnamon mixed with a faint faint hint of smoke.

Initial flavor is of grainy malt with a grassy bitterness that rides under the spicy cinnamon hints of the yeast.
A slight soapiness appears in the backend, but doesn't detract from the bracing nature of the beer.

Appropriately dry and refreshing even for a large feeling beer like this.

Brewed by Craftsman in Honor of Lucky Baldwin's 10th Anniversary under the influence of David Farnworth.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2007 08:29:50 | More by drewbage