Cristal Pils - Brouwerij Alken-Maes

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +32.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer arrived crystal clear pale golden with a white frothy head which lasted well to lace the glass.

The aroma contained a lightly spicy hop presence comprised mainly of Saaz hops. The hops were coupled to a crisp malt character.

The flavor was very slight Saaz hopping with a crispness and a substantial bittering. The hops were spicy and the beer was fairly clean.

The finish was dry with a light lasting bittering into the aftertaste and beyond. The body was medium with a moderate carbonation. A nice pils, quite bitter and nicely clean.

Draft at 't Miniatuurke in Antwerpen on 9/1//06.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2006 22:34:56 | More by GCBrewingCo

desint

Belgium

1.25/5  rDev -55.7%

05-24-2013 11:06:59 | More by desint

DoubleJ

California

3.28/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

I would expect a name like "Cristal" to be found on the label of many different lagers of South and Central America, so I find it strange to find such a name on a Belgian beer. This beer was consumed from tap at Aba Jour. On to the beer:

A rocky 1½ inch head rests on top this yellow straw colored beer.Good whispy lace decorates the glass, which is helped by the good retention of the head. The nose is that of a "plain" lager; hay, minerals, no off-flavors. Sometimes less is more. It's a simple lager with a decent flavor; little flavors of bread, touch of biscuit, and decent grassiness bring this beer a little character while being easy drinking. It's light and easy with moderate crispiness.

To the region's great beers, Cristal won't stand out as a favorite, but I did think that it was a decent alternative when you're looking for something lighter and different from ale.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2013 03:29:55 | More by DoubleJ

peagasus

Belgium

1/5  rDev -64.5%

11-02-2012 15:39:08 | More by peagasus

Diethere

3/5  rDev +6.4%

09-24-2012 20:02:43 | More by Diethere

IPA35

Netherlands

2.8/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

25cl bottle, red label, 4.8% ABV

A pale straw coloured beer with a foamy white head.
Lots of visible carbonation with big bubbles sticking to the sides of the glass.

Smells quite hoppy with some light malts. Not bad.

Tastes very clean, watery.
I don't get much flavour at all. A very, very light hoppiness and a light maltiness.

Not overly watery and well carbonated.

A clean refreshing lager but very bland.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 15:13:11 | More by IPA35

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

30cl bottle into a pint glass.

A: Clear pale straw body with a finger of frothy white foam. Ok retention, nice lace. Pretty good looking Pils.

S: Clean, light, crisp mix of herbal hops and dry bready malt. Lightly sulfurous yeast. Simple and solid.

T: Follows the nose: crisp hoppiness, clean malt, light minerality, dry finish. Not great, but pretty good. Refreshing.

M: Smooth light body, lots of soft carbonation. Pleasant.

O: This was the favored cheap beer of the Belgians I stayed with, and I have to admit that it was not unpleasant for me to drink multiple bottles after a night of sampling more intense beers. God I loved Belgium.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 02:28:37 | More by woosterbill

thierrynantes

France

3.03/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Beer (25cl) fermentation low, tasted in 2004.
Appearance: golden yellow color, beautiful white foam
Smell: nose of hops
Taste and mouthfeel: freshness in the mouth
Drinkability: an average Belgian pilsener, but without further

Review added 12-08-2007, translated from french 2-27-2008.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2007 18:31:05 | More by thierrynantes

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.6/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very light golden color with a dish soap like big head that disappates fairly quickly.
Aroma is mineral water and grass, flowers and lemon twist.
Flavor is crystal and hint of mild pale malt with soem very floral bitterness added. Nothing too ornate just simple malt, hops and water.
Mouthfeel is extra dry but also very light with a highly mineral feel, like heavy water.
Drinkability is pretty high, very enjoyable summer time beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2004 01:54:42 | More by CRJMellor

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not to bad. On the drier side of the scale which is always good, thin body, but very nice dry slightly hoppy finish, bit of an edgyness, which didn't make it great, but made it less boring, drinkable, though boring.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2002 19:12:29 | More by rastaman