Gouden Vallei - Alpine Beer Company

MrVonzipper

California

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

05-20-2012 18:40:47 | More by MrVonzipper

moonknight31

California

4/5  rDev +0.3%

05-21-2013 21:14:45 | More by moonknight31

largadeer

California

4/5  rDev +0.3%

05-19-2013 19:02:23 | More by largadeer

Zbeetleman

California

3.25/5  rDev -18.5%

05-15-2013 04:38:14 | More by Zbeetleman

pperez38

California

4/5  rDev +0.3%

05-02-2013 10:42:13 | More by pperez38

Cazlo

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

03-16-2013 02:35:06 | More by Cazlo

IrishColonial

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -6%

03-16-2013 02:08:46 | More by IrishColonial

Twal

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

01-10-2013 00:17:22 | More by Twal

Tom-Peters

California

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

11-12-2012 20:20:00 | More by Tom-Peters

DeanMoriarty

California

3.83/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a 16oz bottle from Alpine Brewery during SDBW as part of their limited bottle re-release of rarities from the brewery each day. Poured into a Brouwerij 't Ij branded tulip glass.

A: Pours a hazed straw-like hue with a thick fluffy white head that lingers, giving way to massive amounts of thick lacing in my glass from start to finish.

S: Sweet malt, slightly grassy, noticeable traditional Belgian pale yeast. Classic smelling Belgian pale....but on the lighter side of things...and not much more going on to be honest - where's those peppercorns ???

T: Sweet (possibly candy sugar) up front, big time pepper corns that balance nicely with the sweetness of the malt and possible candy sugar. Hop presence is noticeable and very grassy, slightly herbal. Peppercorns are present throughout which is nice, finishes with a hint of alcohol at the very end. Really well balanced flavors!

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied - not what you would expect from the style. Light carbonation, creamy and smooth finish.

Overall decent for the style - nothing mind blowing (although the peppercorns were a fun little twist on a classic) - pretty average paired up against what most monasteries have to offer in the same style. Flavor is bomb but not sure about the other aspects of this one...& what gives with the small bottle (???) - a 22oz for the same price seems more fair to be honest. New Belgium did their same collab (Super IPA) in a 22oz for the same price - just sayin.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 02:05:46 | More by DeanMoriarty

Florida9

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Cloudy golden-amber in color. Forms a hug, big bubbled, but very stable white head. Excellent retention and some chunky lacing.

S: Nose is very Bretty. Floral, hay, mild barnyard, and a bit spicy.

T: Mildly sweet, but yet not sweet at all. Notes of green apple, patchouli, mild black pepper, straw, lemon, and spice.

M: Lighter side of medium in body. Heavy carbonation. Dry.

O: Can say I didn't care for this one much on the first few sips. Seemed out of balance and out of place. But it grew on me as I drank it, opening up nicely, and resulting in a rather enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 13:49:50 | More by Florida9

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pour is a hazy light amber with a fairly dense off white head and thick lace. Nose is hop forward, fleshy orange, with a pale malt underneath and a sticky caramel up front. Taste is even more orange forward, so citrusy and hoppy with a faint pale malt and biscuity bite balancing. Body is light and crisp, highly carbonated with a subtle bitterness lingering.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 13:00:57 | More by cpetrone84

HopsintheSack

California

3.75/5  rDev -6%

08-25-2012 18:18:54 | More by HopsintheSack

DSlim71

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

08-09-2012 15:19:12 | More by DSlim71

millerbuffoon

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

08-07-2012 00:53:48 | More by millerbuffoon

birchstick

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

07-18-2012 03:39:22 | More by birchstick

bsuedekum

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -12.3%

07-18-2012 03:35:50 | More by bsuedekum

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

16 fl. oz. bottle (won this in the raffle at FredFest 2012), poured to a couple half-pints and shared with my wife on a gorgeous, summery Saturday afternoon.

A collaboration with New Belgium Brewing: 'A Monastic Inspired Belgian Pale Ale, Dry Hopped & Spiced with Pink Peppercorns'. Label photo features a motley foursome of brewing bearded-ness...

A: Golden-butterscotch orange, lovely translucency. Deeply hazy, without any sediment, but dense enough that carbonation is scarcely visible. Crowned with a finger of tight, white foam - it drops pretty quickly, but the sheen remains and creeps up the sides as a long-lasting lace.

S: Interesting aroma, the earthy sting of the peppercorns really comes through as it warms. The 'Belgian Pale' part is less defined, a simpler citrus - orange rind and pulp - and spiced hoppiness.

T: First sip or two were a little confounding, then it got good. I mean REALLY good. Grassy dry-hopping, mildly tart grapefruit and orange citrus then a steady peppery finish. Just bready enough, more or less a 'sourdough' flavor. Nothing overpowers, all meld beautifully.

M: Somewhat soft, silky but a little vapid. I like the finish best, a dry and lightly mineral/chalky extension. Carbonation is minimal, feel is creamy. 7%+ ABV is pretty well hidden.

O: Very likable... the twin 8 oz. pours (truth be told, my wife got a little more and finished hers MUCH faster) disappeared too quickly. As a one-time offering that I don't think was officially distributed to Oregon (again, mine came as a prize in a drawing...), it's really too bad that this may be the first and last time we get to enjoy this. Well done Alpine/New Belgium - good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 22:20:06 | More by msubulldog25

Romulux

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -12.3%

07-01-2012 01:19:31 | More by Romulux

UCLABrewN84

California

3.6/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to queens1130 for sharing this one at AndrewK’s tasting.

Pours a slightly murky honey orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, spice, and pepper. Taste is much the same and finishes with a hoppy and spice bitterness. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but it smells better than it tastes in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 00:50:28 | More by UCLABrewN84

AndrewK

California

3.75/5  rDev -6%

06-25-2012 20:25:23 | More by AndrewK

nathanjohnson

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -6%

06-17-2012 15:36:39 | More by nathanjohnson

BdubleEdubleRUN

California

4/5  rDev +0.3%

06-11-2012 19:12:03 | More by BdubleEdubleRUN

cavedave

New York

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to bdige for this touch of California in a bottle.

Just a touch of fine yeast clouds a truly golden brew. It is topped by a couple fingers of white lather, and finally nice cap is ringed with lasting lace mounds along the snifter.

Lemony citrus, candy, and tangy yeast head the aroma lineup of a light strength bouquet. Nice grain and biscuit behind it, even lighter hints of floral and orange peel.

A med. strength taste starts with some rooty herbal bitter and candi sweet, gains some orange/lemon and tart yeast tang, some floral hop, and ends with these flavors joining into a juicy conclusion. Not crazy delicious or complex, but a nice breezy delight. The peppercorns are MIA unless they are the rooty herbal I taste.

A bit of a mediciny feel to this, but nicely low carb. and appropriately clean and viscous.

Happy to have tried this tasty and refreshing beer, and wish there was another in fridge to open later.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 21:20:25 | More by cavedave

Sean9689

Illinois

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks, Alex!

A - Pours golden orange color, off-white head, spotty lace.

S - Floral, fruity, and spicy (to say the least). A really different (yet cool) nose...I guess this is what peppercorns smell like in a Belgian Pale. Interesting. Some citrus, yeast, and melon in there too.

T - A mix of sweet fruits, spices, and citrus. There's an added herbal quality that I attribute to the peppercorns and yeast. Really interesting beer and I can't say I can compare it to anything else I've ever had. Alcohol is hidden well. Finish is citrus/mango, and floral notes.

M - Light toward medium body, good carbonation, creamy finish.

O - I really enjoyed this beer but I could see others thinking the opposite. I'm hoping I'll get to try this one down the road to see how it's changed. Very complex, different, and cool. Would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 17:03:40 | More by Sean9689