Borman's Belgian Ale - Blue & Gray Brewing Co.

sellmeagod

Virginia

2.17/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Apparently Borman was a Civil War legend famous for making some canons, and this brew is supposed to ignite your tastebuds.

It doesn't really, and the whole time you'll be drinking it you'll be thinking, "Oh isn't that cute; these guys from Fredericksburg are trying to make a Belgian".

But, at least it does taste/smell/feel like a Belgian, albeit a weak one. A bit of bitterness at the end sets it apart.

With no abv listing, I would guess a weak 5-6%, but that could just be cynical thinking. Maybe it is a radical 9% abv and these guys are hiding it well. Perhaps that would make the rating go up (it's funny how that tradeoff can make a difference sometimes with these regular tasting Belgians).

A good try.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2010 00:55:48 | More by sellmeagod

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.25/5  rDev -0.3%

03-17-2013 17:10:52 | More by Huhzubendah

ZachKelly

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +15%

01-21-2013 01:58:42 | More by ZachKelly

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -0.3%

12-17-2012 18:01:46 | More by stereosforgeeks

PoolFishGolf

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +15%

10-08-2012 00:57:36 | More by PoolFishGolf

SGourley

Virginia

1/5  rDev -69.3%

08-28-2012 22:03:59 | More by SGourley

oldirtycaffrey

Virginia

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

Pours a light golden color with a slight head and just a little bit of lacing along the glass. Smell is very sweet, spicy, fruity -- hints of apple & lemon. The taste is also very sweet and buttery; a tad citrusy as well. You can get a good hit of hops in the aftertaste. Pretty easy to drink for a belgian ale. Would love to know the ABV as this seemed to pack a good punch -- I'm guessing between 6.2 & 7 %. Well-crafted beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 16:40:41 | More by oldirtycaffrey

JayQue

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My son-in-law brought back a growler from the brewery. We had it at Easter dinner. Pours a hazy light orange/dull gold color with a small delicate bubbly white head. THe head fades quickly to a covering of the glass. Lacing is pretty light.

Mild aroma of light fruit apples and pears, some sweetness and Belgian spices. Not much yeast.

Tastes good. we started out too cold but the fruit flavor and spices picked up as the beer warmed. Might have benefited from a little hoppiness as the beer is fairly sweet. If this is Blue and Gray's first cut at a Belgian beer, they did pretty good!!! The only thing missing was a Belgian yest/ funky presence.

Mouthfeel is pretty rich, the spices do their thing plesantly on the tongue.

Overall this was pretty enjoyable.

Serving type: growler

04-09-2012 00:04:33 | More by JayQue

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -0.3%

03-18-2012 20:42:09 | More by TMoney2591

wowbagger

Virginia

2.53/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Very light with a very foamy head. Color is cloudy yellow.

Slightly citrus smell with hint of banana, but not a very strong aroma.

Taste; a lot of bite and a lot of spice. The banana I smelled is there and I can't detect the high alcohol content but that's mostly because of how overly-spiced it is. For my taste, this makes it a little unbalanced.

Serving type: growler

02-26-2012 16:50:56 | More by wowbagger

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into large tulip - thanks to bigtomz

Pours a hazy golden color with a crop of white head. Plenty of patchy lacing around the glass with a wispy layering of retention.

Lemony and funky in the nose with some hints of citrus rind. Touches of Belgian yeast and some light sweetness.

Citrusy and slightly juicy up front. Again, plenty of lemon peel on this to the point of near-overkill. Light bready malt with Belgian yeast followed by some slick sweetness. Decent amount of funkiness, hints of pear and apple. Finishes a little dry.

Fuller medium body, decent carbonation, bubbly and sticky on the tongue. I feel like this has some redeeming moments but the lemon is a bit much.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 03:49:43 | More by xnicknj

mxmcmillan

Virginia

1.95/5  rDev -40.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Seemed to me like a failed attempt at a blonde, this beer really lacks any strong connection to many styles that pop out at the term "Belgian Ale"

a- somewhere between a brownish amber or a brown- yellow, not the kind of golden color I'm sure they would like to have gone for

s- the hops are really the distinguishing smell here, with some slight spices detectable

t- a rather bland start with a bitter finish you'd expect from a blond, but the in-between is lacking any real stand out flavors for me

m- pretty weakly carbonated for a belgian, though this may have something to do with my growler.

o- Disappointing. I came in to this expecting a very strong flavor and was ultimately disappointed. Nothing special.

I like supporting my local breweries and typically am pleased with Blue & Gray but this was a definite miss.

Serving type: growler

01-04-2012 16:53:56 | More by mxmcmillan

DeutschesBier

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Overall, this isn't a bad beer. I Haven't had a Blue and Gray beer that I did not enjoy.

The appearance is what I expected. A nice golden color with a big white fluffy head. The color was a little darker than I expected. It also smelled pretty good, but I could tell right away that it was going to be a tad sweet for my tastes.

That doesn't mean that I didn't like the taste though. I just usually expect my Belgian Pales to be a little dryer.

Overall, not bad.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 22:02:36 | More by DeutschesBier

deereless

Colorado

3.05/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Quite hazy, a dull light gold color, little to no head on a medium pour, minimal signs of carbonation in the beer - 2.75, S: The first whiff of the beer was extremely sweet - almost cloyingly so but this toned down with time, a solid smattering of bubblegum and tons of yeasty esters, quite light and fruity - 3.25, T: The palate has the sharp edge of candied sugars, some pepper and a hint of hop bite in the back, quite herbal and earthy - 3.00, M: Somewhat silky and medium bodied - 3.50, D: My first beer from Blue & Gray - decent but not a standout for a Belgian Pale Ale - 3.00

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 01:41:44 | More by deereless

Travlr

District of Columbia

2.35/5  rDev -27.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Gift from Kenny - thanks!
A: same color as urine when you haven't had enough to drink on a hot summer's day. Three bubble head, no lacing.
S: Aroma of orange and black pepper.
T: Fresh bread taste with pepper and a hint of coriander.
M: Thin-bodied for its strength.
D: Very nearly a drain pour, I couldn't make it through the whole growler.

Serving type: growler

12-09-2009 01:08:03 | More by Travlr

blackie

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a: cloudy hay golden beer, nice color, white head shows average retention

s: nicely herbal hop nose with notes of soft pale and wheat barleys, dried sage, lemongrass, and thyme, yeasts give some phenols that seem appropriate, mild spice, delicate tropical fruits, varied and interesting nose

m: light carbonation, body on the light side of medium

t: wheat and pale barley base, sugary but clean, strong herbal hop flavors, yeasty phenols fit in well at first but turn a bit too far towards the "band-aid" side at times, a touch watery overall, gentle bitterness

d: no problem, a good beer for B&G's first Belgian, and better than expected

bomber from Whole Foods, Fair Lakes, VA

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2009 03:06:08 | More by blackie

jsp2

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +28.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cloudy golden yellow from 22 oz bottle into the pint glass. Head develops to be fine and thin with lace on the sides and larger bubbles in areas.

Excellent aroma, delicate with the elements but plenty strong as a whole. Apples blended with cloves, maybe a little bit of musk, and something wonderful I can't identify. Excellent.

Soft approach of apple tartness is followed by cloves and a dry bitterness. There is almost a little sourness and funk to this beer. The bitter finish gets very, even offensively strong in the aftertaste.

Light and quenching, carbonation is somewhat low.

I love everything about this one except the bitterness of the finish may be a little more than I'd prefer. Besides that the flavor profile is excellent and the aroma is incredible. I really enjoyed this one and will probably come back to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2009 21:58:19 | More by jsp2

StrangeBrewer76

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pouring a hazy off-blond with a milky white head. It smells fruity and light. Subtle banana and plum.

The taste was really decent. Again, fruity and light but with citrus and some slightly spicy notes.

The mouthfeel is really good and smooth but for the citrusy bite, unless that's what you're in to.

This would be a very good, refreshing summertime beverage to be enjoyed by all.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2009 23:21:37 | More by StrangeBrewer76

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Thanks to davidt for the trade...
Appears a hazy, straw color with a small white cap that slowly fades into a mild cap and collar. Spotty lacing is left around the sides of the glass.
Smell is of Belgian Pilsner malt, with mild esters of orange, apricots, peaches, and mild hops.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with sugary and bitter citrus, along with gentle notes of tropical fruit.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, citrusy, slick with yeast, citrus, and a peachy flavor lingering.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2009 19:04:23 | More by weeare138

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz bottle shared courtesy of weareafanoflongshotpliny138.

Poured a medium and hazy golden color with a small sized white head. Aromas of citrus, fruitiness, oranges, and some spices. Tastes of citrus, spices, yeast, and oranges.

Notes from and tasted on: 2/19/09

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2009 21:19:31 | More by hopdog

asabreed

New York

4.33/5  rDev +32.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into a Duvel tulip.

Appearance: A nice darker golden color with soapy and spidery lacing around the top of the glass. Lots of carbonation and bubbles everywhere, which was nice to see.

Smell: Kind of like a mix between a Saison and a Belgian Pale with more hops. I like it. Interesting earthy phenols, maybe a bit medicinal, lots of sourness like lemongrass and lemon peel, some spiciness and Belgian yeast, some sweeter sugars and malt flavors rounded by a jut of juicy citrus. And almost like a Saison the way the earthiness tends to make its mark.

Taste: Much going on here, way more than I expected. The aromas come through pretty well. At first there's the hint of raw spiciness and phenols, with earthiness and mild medicinal. Then it goes into a bit of almost lambic or Saison-like sourness, with some mild funkiness backed by more lemon-esque citrus or lemongrass. Puckering and great. Rounds out semi-dry with a wonderful complimentary bitterness that doesn't make it like a Belgian IPA at all, but adds enough to take away the sweetness, which works great here. Lingering, spicy, earthy, citrus and sour finish. Way too easy to drink for me.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and medium-bodied with a good amount of carbonation to make the flavors come through.

Drinkability: A solid Belgian with some wildness about it. I'd definitely pick up a bottle, as I feel like some Saisons can be different bottle to bottle, the same may be with this brew. I'll definitely be trying it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2009 03:33:53 | More by asabreed

auxiliary

Rhode Island

3.88/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

appearance - Clear straw yellow, nice large white head when poured. Left some lace on the glass, and not much bubbles.

smell - Sweet spicey smells here and some hops

taste - real good belgian beer taste without the bitterness of an american pale ale.

mouthfeel - medium body

mouthfeel - would buy this again,

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2008 22:38:01 | More by auxiliary

davidt

Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This new beer from Blue & Gray pours a golden orange color. The pour into a Chimay goblet produced little head although there's enough carbonation to give some tingle on the tongue. It exhibits an appealing yeasty smell. The mouth feel is slightly yeasty, but not unpleasant. A spicy, fruity flavor with hint of clove. I detected a bit of apple as the beer warmed. There's enough hop to give it just a bit of kick.

22 oz bomber purchased at the brewery.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2007 20:19:50 | More by davidt

oelergud

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +25.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Translucent golden body with a little bit of an orange tint. Good carbonation and off-white multibubbled head with decent retention and lace.
Overly yeasty as most B&G brews have been for the last 6 months or so. Sweet malts with pepper and butter notes.
Taste is regrettably dominated by the yeast but behind it is the flavor of a spiced and spiked malt and hop combination that is actually very good. The aftertaste is of decent lengh and good intensity of spiked hops.
Medium body with good coating and some slickness.
Pretty good drinkability.
According to the label, this brew is named after the Belgian artillery colonel Borman who designed a fuse for use for rear admiral John A B Dahlgren's cannons.

-Oelergud

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2007 02:31:12 | More by oelergud