Piraat Ale - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

alysmith4

District of Columbia

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bought this as part of a six-pack sampler from the brewer. This is the first one I tried, as I enjoy this style a lot and wanted to start from some common ground.

Poured a clean, golden color, with a decent head. Was carfeul not to pour too quickly, as the carbonation was a bit aggressive in my glass. Smell was of sugar and bananas. Tasted like a cross between a Duvel and a La Fin du Monde. My palate isn't that refined to know the subtle differences.

Flavor intensified as the beer warmed, and more components came through. A bit of an earthy pine oil surfaced, with toasted nuts and more sugar. I could definitely taste the phenols too by the end. One that I would have again.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2006 18:41:46 | More by alysmith4

danfix99

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -20%

06-18-2013 15:23:55 | More by danfix99

Vinylboy20

New York

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-18-2013 00:15:16 | More by Vinylboy20

TheBeeraholic

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-16-2013 10:40:51 | More by TheBeeraholic

JJStorm

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-16-2013 03:47:49 | More by JJStorm

jordanmckell

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-14-2013 16:33:06 | More by jordanmckell

ackeeper

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-12-2013 18:55:49 | More by ackeeper

superfriend

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-11-2013 15:35:48 | More by superfriend

henryhampton

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-11-2013 12:19:13 | More by henryhampton

lauries444

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-10-2013 00:00:15 | More by lauries444

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-09-2013 20:24:55 | More by goblue3509

Rohkey

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

06-08-2013 23:32:23 | More by Rohkey

spoony

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From a 330 ml bottle into a tulip glass.

A-A slightly aggressive pour produces a tall, three-finger head of dense, pillowy, off-white head. The retention is pretty good and it leaves a chunk or two of lacing on the glass. The color is dark gold and active carbonation is visible.

S-The smell is alcoholic and aggressive. The malts are fruity and sweet. I detect lemon in particular, as well as some doughy/crusty bread.

T-The taste is also aggressive and warming. The initial punch is sweet and alcoholic, but things dry out on the finish. Again, I detect lemon and other light fruits that fold well into an herbal, mildly peppery kick at the end.

M-The feel is wet and alcoholic at first, but the soft, creamy carbonation eventually takes over. Medium body.

O-I love Belgians but I had never tried Piraat until now. I am glad I did. This beer is not for the timid...it shows all of the 10.5% ABV in both smell and taste, but it certainly is fun. The hoppy bitterness, like many of Piraat's Belgian counterparts, is not in-your-face, but it creeps in towards the finish and provides just a bit of balance for the pale malty sweetness that mostly dominates. Brash and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 18:38:11 | More by spoony

RedWeizen83

Texas

3/5  rDev -26.1%

06-08-2013 16:11:36 | More by RedWeizen83

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-08-2013 14:39:05 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

psuscott1

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

06-08-2013 00:52:31 | More by psuscott1

somelikehops

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

06-07-2013 23:10:59 | More by somelikehops

tadmuchowski

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -1.5%

06-05-2013 16:01:47 | More by tadmuchowski

Jtrigonis

California

4.75/5  rDev +17%

06-03-2013 19:24:45 | More by Jtrigonis

robertmitchum

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +17%

06-02-2013 06:08:44 | More by robertmitchum

TwoForty

Florida

5/5  rDev +23.2%

06-02-2013 00:32:11 | More by TwoForty

jonathaniler

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +17%

06-02-2013 00:29:35 | More by jonathaniler

Hardcore

Hawaii

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

06-01-2013 06:05:49 | More by Hardcore

Dave1999

Virginia

3.74/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

This beer pours a cloudy light brown with a nice big white head.

The smell is pretty weak, there's some yeast and spices.

The taste is Belgian yeast and pepper. No hint at the huge abv.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and pretty well carbonated.

Overall I wasn't all that impressed, the abv was very well hidden but apart from that this just tasted like a standard Belgian style pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 23:41:16 | More by Dave1999

TeamMathis

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Caramel. Slightly cloudy amber. A thick, frothy head.
Smell: Pepper and something I can't place; grape maybe.
Taste: Pepper, alcohol, honey, hops, and maybe something fruity (grape).
Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation.

This is excellent. I had a difficult time ascertaining the smell and taste particulars, but had no trouble at all enjoying this brew. The pepper and alcoholic content were the most noticeable to me. I really thought it was beautiful to look at, and the taste was very unique. I will get this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 03:45:36 | More by TeamMathis