L'Affriolante - Le Bilboquet, Brasseur Artisan

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Opened the bottle and the foam came out rather quick, Glad I had my glass ready to catch it. The beer was a reddish brown color, with a big foamy white head on top. The retention was solid and left some lacing on the glass as well. The taste of the beer is sweet, there are some subtle herbal/spice notes in there but nothing too dominant. The mouthfeel was a little high on the carbonation, gave the beer a sharp feeling to it. Overall it was a nice beer to try, not sure if I'd go out of my way to try it again. A decent brew at best.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 15:23:15 | More by Knapp85

Whatup14

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

04-17-2013 14:28:23 | More by Whatup14

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.56/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into Trappe Door tulip. Poured a deep red-orange with a two finger off-white head that subsided to one finger very slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, bread, spice, herbs, earth, peat, wood, and subtle sweet alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, hay, bread, honey, spices, subtle dark fruit, caramel, and earth. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overal this was a pretty decent brew. There really was quite a bit going on in this one, but nothing seemed to mix together to make it a standout brew for the style but rather just everything hit you separately. Really wish that would not have been the case as this brew had potential.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2013 19:24:52 | More by thagr81us

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.84/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #63 (Apr 2012):

LOOK: Tall froth, hazed reddish amber

SMELL: Candied orange, nougat, yeast, doughy biscuits, ripe pears, mustard seed

TASTE: Smooth, slick, medium body; malty, caramel, hay, earthy, nutty yeast, citric pith, spice, esters, dark honey; dry, grassy finish

So very rustic, which is sort of expected being that the label states “Beer on lees” (“beer on yeast,” aka “bottle conditioned”). More spice than honey, but what is the yeast to do, not ferment that beautiful sugar? Playful, but more of sipper, as with each sip a new flavor opens up.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 00:41:16 | More by BeerAdvocate

Mack

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +20%

01-29-2013 15:02:14 | More by Mack

PEBKAC

New York

3.23/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

$7 bottle from New Beer. Ommegang chalice sorta thingie.

While waiting for this frozen lake of a head to settle, I guess I'll start to review it.

Micro-beaded, incredibly dense custard foam. Dark, cloudy amber body.

Smells of condensed milk & sticky spilled beer.

Tastes of lightly burnt sugar/marzipan & black tea. Light ale fruitiness, crusty bread. Semi-dry finish. Carbonation is on the low side, but at least the body isn't too heavy.

Thought it be better.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 05:56:01 | More by PEBKAC

Molson2000

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev 0%

09-13-2012 01:17:22 | More by Molson2000

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- Pours a nutty brown with a finger width of foamy cream head.

Smell- honey, caramel, cinnamon, plum, vanilla.

Taste- Sweet honey to start. Followed by the plum, caramel, and the spices. Has a bready finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied with light carbonation. Finishes dry.

Overall- A nicely crafted spiced beer. I enjoyed the sweetness from the honey and other aspects of the taste. I would have preferred to have a little more spice in the aroma and taste but otherwise glad I picked this up.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 03:18:01 | More by leaddog

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle, aged on the lees, with honey and spices. 'L'affriolante' generally refers to something which is alluring, or which excites the appetite. I don't have to explain 'double entendre', do I?

This beer pours a slightly hazy, bright medium brassy amber colour, with one fat finger of thickly foamy beige head, which leaves some nice breaking sea wave lace around the glass as things ebb southward.

It smells of biscuity caramel malt, honey crackers, mild dark fruit, a twinge of clove and nutmeg, with a hefty leafy, floral hoppiness. The taste is more big biscuity, toffee malt, an earthy honey sweetness, mild winter spices, too muddled and subtle to individually spotlight, with those same sassy leafy, dusty hops. The elevated ABV does well to stay in the shadows where only fools dare to tread.

The carbonation is average - not lacking, not interfering, the body within sight of a solid medium weight, and smooth but for a wee incursion on the palate. It finishes sweet and, yes, biscuity, the honey still providing its sugary complement, among a plucky noble hoppiness.

A rather decent English-style strong ale, with the addition of the honey and deftly restrained application of spices altering things to a very limited degree. Maybe the well-softened ABV makes this something less than an ideal quaffer - but the flavour make a strong case to the contrary.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 02:28:04 | More by biboergosum

Mattgruv

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev 0%

04-13-2012 23:04:41 | More by Mattgruv

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11 ounce pour - $8.50 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Served up a clear, deeply hued amber body with one-third of an inch of creamyish, lace-inducing head the color of a manila envelope.

Smell: Sweet-scented malty nose with notes of spiced caramel, bread, toast with additional varied fruity accents.

Taste: A deep opening maltiness of caramel soaked lightly toasted bread, and it's goodly sweet. A sprinkling of cinnamon and coriander. Small, stay hints of fruitiness giving tastes of apples, sweet orange, and golden raisins. Mild hop character, medium-light bitterness. Drying finish with some lingering spiciness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Lightly sticky mouthfeel.

Overall: A fairly enjoyable Bilbo.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 16:12:57 | More by ChainGangGuy

MeisterSmudge

Indiana

4/5  rDev +6.7%

01-16-2012 03:08:00 | More by MeisterSmudge

brystmar

New York

3.75/5  rDev 0%

12-30-2011 04:28:49 | More by brystmar

oldp0rt

Quebec (Canada)

3/5  rDev -20%

12-18-2011 17:14:44 | More by oldp0rt

OregonHopmonster

Oregon

4/5  rDev +6.7%

11-25-2011 07:17:56 | More by OregonHopmonster

Brad007

Vermont

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber color with a one-finger head into my glass. Hard to make out the style as it's not listed, etc. Looks good though.

I can't make out the spices either but there is a subtle touch of sweetness, likely from the honey in the nose.

Now, that's more like it. Sweet with a good mix of light, grassy hops with a touch of honey and spice. Kind of like a belgian strong ale or something.

Lingering spice and honey for the mouthfeel. Chewy. Nothing harsh.

Hard to define but it is very drinkable. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 01:46:23 | More by Brad007

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Deep amber/ruby red colour, one finger of tan/off white head, some lace left behind. Smell is of raisin, dark fruit, honey, notes of rum come through and more so as it warms, sugary sweetness, lots of malt present, caramel with cinnamon and spice. Taste is fairly malty off the bat, spice and dark fruit roll in, raisin, honey, moderatley bitter, slightly sour when it was cold but not as it warmed. Med-high carb, lightish feel, light to medium body. Pretty good stuff, much better as it got warm, nothing spectacular, well spiced, interseted in trying other offerings.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 12:29:36 | More by peensteen

SFLpunk

Vermont

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Freshly delivered to VT via g.housen Dist. 500mL brown glass pry-top bottle. Label stamped "L1102AFF4."

Pours a deep brownish-red with 1.5 inches of frothy light brown head. Nose smells like a red ale at first, then gives way to cream and sweet syrup. Palate is like a sweet flower meets a red ale. The honey character is there for sure, with a little waxy honeycomb flavor too. Amber malt, and maybe a whisper of toasted/smoked malt. Nice length finish and great balance.

Liked this more than I thought I would. Very tasty indeed.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 01:33:10 | More by SFLpunk

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly murky chestnut color with a somewhat slight head. Lovely floral aromas with some warming spices on the back end. Sweet smelling to start, but drys out quickly. The taste is even a bit more integrated with clean floral honey notes, the same warming spices of cinnamon, clove, and allspice found in the nose. Also starts slightly sweet, but quite dry by the finish- almost too much so. Quite pleasant. I'm impressed enough to try some more of their stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 00:34:48 | More by Georgiabeer

Cyberkedi

Georgia

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

Aroma is not strong but is fruity, rather sweet, with a malty undertone, and inviting. It pours a nice clear mahogany with a fluffy beige head. Mouth filling flavor is malty and fruity - mainly apple - with a bitter hoppy undertone and a hint of caramel. Texture is smooth and fairly tingly, leaving a nice fizzy and slightly fruity finish.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 03:49:00 | More by Cyberkedi

biggred1

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Murky amber with a dense foamy tan head that leaves some sliding lace on the glass. Cinnamon, coriander, orange peel and honey in the aroma. The flavors mirror the nose with well balnced spice and honey notes. Orange blossum and honey with coriander spice. Medium bodied and highly carbonated. A different and enjoyable drinking experience, the honey and spice don't overpower each other and work nicely together.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 02:50:56 | More by biggred1

Snamnoum

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - dark mahogany flecked with amber and garnet hues. Beige colored head of about one finger which subsided quickly. No lacing to speak of.

Smell - hops is the dominant smell augmented by pepper, citrus, molasses, toasted malt, and dark dry fruit.

Taste - the dried fruit is much bigger in taste than it was in the nose. The fruitiness and dark caramelized sugar are absolutely massive in this beer. Cherries, plums, molasses, brown sugar, toasted grains, allspice, mace, cinnamon comprise the majority of the beginning and middle while the finish is dry from both a small hop presence and a astringent burnt sugar/cocoa taste.

Mouthfeel - medium bodied and heavily carbonated with an abrasive mouthfeel

Drinkability - not a very drinkable beer due to its sweetness and body but a good spiced beer. Not my favorite style but a good representation of the style if this is one of your favorites.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 00:13:14 | More by Snamnoum

avalon07

South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an amber color and a cloudy texture. There was a big, long-lasting, foamy head. Pretty good lacing.

S: A sharp smell of honey, malt, and some spices.

T: Tasted of malt, something sugary (caramel, perhaps), spices, and a big shot of honey. A very interesting flavor that's not nearly as thick and cloying as you might think.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a surprisingly dry and smooth finish. Medium-bodied.

D: An unusual beer that is oddly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 12:03:04 | More by avalon07

Moe55

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a bit of a burnt orange color. Off white foam head that leaves a nice lacing on the glass. Smells of citrus, spices and honey. Very refreshing. Taste is light, smooth and unique. I would not guess that this is 7% alcohol. Minimal carbonation allows for the honey and spices to be a bit more pronounced. I could easily have another 500mL bottle of this.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2011 20:33:11 | More by Moe55

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: It has a nice orange/amber/redish colour to it. It has a nice white head that dies down moderalty with minimal lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of honey, fruity notes, hops and light spices.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a nice carmaly/toffee/malty taste to it but ends with more of a sweetness. The spices are however bearly present.

Mouthfeel: It has a high carbonation with alot of sweetness.

Drinkability: It's a very drinkable beer accompanied with good flavours but has a somewhat light taste given its a 7% ABV beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 06:25:12 | More by SebD