Augustijn Ale - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

rvdoorn

Netherlands

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this beer on tap in my favorite pub, the Vlaamse Reus in Wageningen. The beer pours a slightly hazy, amber-orange color, with a bubbly medium-lasting white head.

Smell: Malts, spicy yeasts, hints of coriander and clove and fresh fruits (citrus)

Taste: the first that I noticed is the metallic aftertaste, what a negative surprise. Strangely enough, this metallic taste disappeared after a few nips.... The taste is quite malty, spicy (clove) with fresh fruits (sour apple, orange) with hoppy undertones.

Mouthfeel: Relatively high carbonation, tickles the tongue. The beer is medium-thin.

Overall: nice spicy, hoppy and refreshing beer. A decent tripel. Nice on a hot summer day.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2009 19:04:55 | More by rvdoorn

treyrab

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap today at Sharp Edge for a nice, nonchalant lunch. Poured into the appropriate Augusijn goblet...

A: Pours a nice cloudy crimson copper with a nice, pillowy tan head. The head lasts just about the entire time and laces with the best of them. Very nice.

S: Nice clove, Belgian spice, hints of coriander, darker fruits (raisin) and some dry Belgian yeast funk.

T: Nice, nothing earth shattering, but nice. Some light, dry spices, coriander, pepper, and some moderately sweet fruits.

Overall, this was a solid beer. A nice, easy drinking Belgian that I would order again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2009 01:30:18 | More by treyrab

adamette

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap this past Saturday Night at Bier Markt in Cleveland. Poured into a clean, clear pint glass which looked a little like a goblet with a thick (one inch?) base but no stem. $7.00.

A Golden translucent with 1 cm head that stuck around for a few minutes but dissipated into a ring around the top of the beer.

S Not a strong smell but I could smell some sweet malt, grains, yeast and a gentle smell of alcohol. To me, very inviting smell as this is my favorite style.

T Malty sweetness, alcohol and yeasty with some spices. This is not the strongest (ABV) tripel or the most complex but very pleasing.

M Full with big ABV, malt but thin physically.

D Very good for this high of an ABV, I could drink many of these.

Notes: A tad expensive but then again finding it on draft is not real easy. I was glad to have found it. I certainly recommend that anyone should try it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2009 03:02:36 | More by adamette

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden with some orange-amber coloring. Good fizzing keeps the head nice and tall for quite a while; this is white in color and leaves attractive if spotty lacing.

It's hard to get good whiffs through the head, but what's there is fairly strongly alcoholic, along with pear and green apple notes. Plenty of phenolic clove and banana presence as well.

Very sweet, with pronounced phenolic presences that seem misplaced. Otherwise, a pretty standard and tasty tripel. Well crafted and nicely attenuated; the mouthfeel is right along with the flavor profile and they play well together. The finish is clove-ridden and leaves a strong trace of booze.

It's an acceptable tripel but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2008 03:14:57 | More by BretSikkink

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Hazy yellow color with a small white head.

Smells yeasty with some fruit tones.

Taste up front is very sweet, reminding me of ripe fruits and bannanas. Follows with some dry yeasty tones. I detect some cloves.

Highly carbonated.

Not very strong tasting, and very airy, so relatively good drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2008 03:20:38 | More by Hojaminbag

psinderson

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap at the Sharp Edge Creekhouse in traditional glassware.

Appearance: Clear, light golden color. Thick, strong white head.

Smell: Light citrus with some peppery spice.

Taste: Fruity - Grapes and raisins - up front with some alcohol, mild citrus hop finish.

Mouthfeel: Thinnish, but clean and good.

Drinkability: Decently clean finish...light.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2007 19:11:06 | More by psinderson

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I was not aware that it was considered to be a triple. I always thought it to be known as a Belgian single Abbey Ale. It is light in color with sweet notes and a small hop present. Light in alcohol for a Belgian, but it is still 8%. Always a good starting or finishing beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2007 00:10:08 | More by OWSLEY069

ggaughan

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured a hazy golden color with a thick white head with moderate lacing. The aroma is fruity, citrusy with some malt tones in there. The taste is very refreshing, citrusy. It almost tastes like I dissolved a pack of smarties candies in here. Not overly sweet, nice and pleasant. A very drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2006 02:36:09 | More by ggaughan

PorterLambic

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice reddish apricot color, opaque with a thin head and minimal lace.
Smell is malt, yeast, grapefruit, raisin, apple, spice (clove and pepper?).
Taste is nicely complex, malt, raisins, grapefruit, hops, yeast and some spice.
Mouthfeel is smooth, warming the mouth and throat, full bodied with a nice, light effervescence.
Drinkability is very high with a great balance and flavors and no bad aspects at all. The alcohol hides well.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2004 01:27:16 | More by PorterLambic

Jon

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Augustijn pours a hazy golden color with a suprisingly thin white head which exhibits minimal lacing. Aromatic notes of fruitiness (including apple, pear and orange peel) lead the way while some yeastiness lingers in the bouquet, as well. Taste is not dissimilar to that of a traditional Belgian wit with some coriander and spice. It differentiates itself, however, with a subtle fruitiness, sweet malt and a bit of alcoholic burn on the finish. Mouthfeel is a little undercarbonated for the style, but it doesn't hurt the drinkability. The 8% abv is well-hidden in this tripel. Certainly unique from most other tripels, but nonetheless a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2003 05:46:01 | More by Jon

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite belgium drafts to date this beer appears a crystal clear golden tone with a virbrant white foaming head. Wonderful lace forms rings around the inner side of my official Augustijn glass. Aroma is spiced up with an awesome slightly bubblegum malt profile. The malt and yeast combo is amazing making this single a tasty treat for me. Very mild hop aroma blends nicely here. The taste ties it all together mixing the sweet bubblegum tone forcing an instant smacking of the lips together. Amazing complexity of spices, malt, and mild hops to equal one hell of a beer. Oh and did I mention of how redicuously drinkable this Belgium glory is.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2003 23:13:10 | More by WVbeergeek

shiner00747

Ohio

4.44/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This is a great tasting beer.Yeasty with a good after taste.Reminds me of being in Belgium.Very foamy and a nice orange gold appearance.Poured into a cold tulip mug.Going to have another right now.Reminds me a lot of a DeKonink triple.Definetly a beer I would like to try on draught.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 22:44:14 | More by shiner00747

Twincrasher

4.48/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Nice retention. Decent head Cloudy from loose yeast.

S: Smell of alcohol together with complex fruit and phenol. Some coriander and fruit esters.

T: Much better with 2nd bottle. First bottle must have been bad. Balanced flavor profile.

M: Good finish.

Very enjoyable second time. Will purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 02:26:34 | More by Twincrasher

acevenom

Louisiana

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a chalice. Pours hazy golden with a big white head. Plenty of tiny bubbles can be seen rising from the side of the glass. The head retains very well for such a big beer. The aroma is bright. There are roasted malts, candi sugar, apples, pears, and citrus. There is that typical Belgian yeast aroma. The flavor is bready from the malts and the yeast and also mildly sweet. I also pick up those fruit flavors I found in the aroma, but not as strongly. The hops bring a subdued floral flavor to this beer as well as some balance. There is some tartness on the back end. The alcohol is masked in all those flavors. It's very well balanced. The body is medium with moderately high carbonation. The finish is crisp and slightly dry. This is a solid sipper. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 23:25:57 | More by acevenom

superspak

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, no bottle dating(04HD bottle code). Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 1-2 finger foamy white head with fair retention, that reduces to a thin ring of lace. Minimal lacing on the glass, with a decent amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of big apple, pear, orange zest, lemon, honey, herbal, clove, pepper, yeast spiciness, and light funkiness. Very nice and well balanced aromas with good strength and complexity. Taste of apple, pear, orange, lemon, caramel, honey, pepper, herbal, clove, and yeast spiciness. Slight fruity tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of apple, lemon, orange, pear, caramel, honey, pepper, clove, herbal, and yeast spices on the finish for a good bit. Great balance of malt sweetness and peppery spiciness; with great flavor complexity and balance. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a fairly slick and prickly mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Very smooth to sip on. Overall this is an excellent Tripel! Great flavor balance and complexity; and very smooth to sip on. Highly enjoyable stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 06:16:33 | More by superspak

steelerguy

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a clear gold, moderate to high carbonation, tall and rocky white head that fades to a covering while leaving lacing on the side.

S - Spicy phenols, Belgian yeast, a bit of alcohol and esters.

T - Clean taste, light malt, a bit of pepper, a touch of pear, and finishes with a little alcohol.

M - Light, crisp, and refreshing.

O - Solid Belgian Tripel.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 23:58:48 | More by steelerguy

Vixie

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewing this one with a bit of a head cold, so may not be as accurate as it could be.

Pours a very nice yellow/orange color with a huge white head. A lot of carbonation, huge swirl of bubble coming up from the D at the bottom of my Duvel glass.

Malt and yeast are most prominent in the smell. Slight bit if fruit and spice in there as well.

Fruity, bit of citrus and maybe a hint of apple. Little bit of pepper in the back end, and has a bit of bite from the carbonation.

Nothing to complain about with how this one feels.

A nice example of the style. Goes down very easy, and has a nice flavor. While not quite up to my favorites of this style, this is one I'd happily have again.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 03:26:31 | More by Vixie

hoppyweasel311

California

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a golden color with long lasting head.
Not much going on in the aroma... kind of reminds me of cider
Taste is slightly banana.. hint of spice, this tastes like a highly carbonated cider... I get bored drinking it... way too much carbonation for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 02:38:36 | More by hoppyweasel311

jerryjeff

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Aroma
Raisin/fig scent coming through initially, maybe some orange peel in there. Hints of cinnamon maybe and a slight pepperiness.

Mouthfeel
Highly carbonated, bit of a surprise for me. Slight oiliness and a bit of presence, having a hard time really telling with the carbonation what's going on.

Appearance
Head may be the best part of this, poured to soft pillowish head around 3/4" in a 1/2 liter goblet from a 1/3 liter bottle. Slowly dissipating and has a 1/4" or so left with around half the beer to go. Ruby mainly in color with a bit of amber, it has some haze but I purposefully poured the whole thing so there's some yeast floating about.

Taste
Raisin/fig sourish notes maybe a bit of fruitiness come through in the flavor, hops not coming through this is really coming from the yeast. Alcohol is well hidden in there, get a bit of warming while drinking but overall it's pretty easy going.

Drinkability
Pretty drinkable, a liter or so before I'd really angle for a change. I think the figgy/raisin flavors might become a bit too much after a while. 8% abv so the alcohol is an issue for a session also.

Overall
I thought the aroma and appearance were wonderful but just can't seem to get past the carbonation. If it were carbonated a bit less I think the flavors would come through better on the palette and not mask the mouthfeel as much.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 01:29:45 | More by jerryjeff

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark orange in color with a deep, murky haze and yellowish hues on the edge of the glass. Poured with a huge, billowy foam with good retention. Sweet suger and malt aromas with dark oranges, banana and a musty yeastiness at the end. Medium bodied with active soda-like carbonation. Tangy citrus orange flavor up front with spicy corriander thru the middle and banana and sweet malt thru to the finish. Sweet malty backbone throughout with banana and yeasty flavors in the the back of the mouth and throat from the middle thru the finish. Finishes with a brief citrus tangy aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 00:26:52 | More by IronLover

JoeBCBC

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

11.2 ouce bottle into pint glass (wish I had something else!)
Got this from a variety case of Steenberge beers.

A- Cool image of a monk brewing beer on the front! Pours a hazy golden straw color with a very large head that is thick and doughy. Head subsides into soapy lace as you drink.

S- I have a stuffy nose, but from what I can smell i'm getting some ripe fruits, pungent Belgian yeast esters, and bready malt.

T- Mild and smooth flavor that is not too overpowering one way or another. Fruitiness comes out first with spicy cloves and malt in the finish. A pleasant tart aftertaste lingers on the tongue.

M- Even with a dramatic pour, this one is still highly carbed. I think it would be more enjoyable at a lower carbonation.

O- One of the easier to drink tripels i've had. Not a fan of the style, but ill try to come from style guidelines when I rate.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 02:15:51 | More by JoeBCBC

ckollias

Maryland

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this 11.2oz stubby bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Cooper in color with a huge, four-finger, white head after a violent pour. Head lasts for awhile and leaves a nice trail all the way down the glass and leaves a persistent lace.

S: Very sweet caramel aroma assaults the nostrils. The aroma is spicey and fruity with hints of phenols.

T: Smooth and very sweet brew that slowly hits you with a bitter twang. There are hint of fruit, spicy hops, phenols, and orange undertones. Solid malt background masks the alcohol which sort of sneaks up on you.

M: Medium body and high carbonation.

O: Very high-quality tripel. Has a good smell, complex taste, and perfect amount of alcohol. Worth trying once…. maybe twice.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 02:43:53 | More by ckollias

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Strong aroma, with the expected Belgian notes of apples, pears, orange and coriander, along with a subtle toasted grain swirl. There's also a smidgen of alcohol in the nose, no doubt the result of the 8% ABV.

The same fruity notes translate well from nose to tongue, though with an added spicy undercurrent, the coriander especially coming across slightly stronger than expected. Hints of a fizzy champagne linger around the edges, both in flavor and in carbonation--this is one bubbly beer. The flavors, however, are not as strong as I would have expected them to be, and fade off quickly, leaving little to the aftertaste but a slight alcohol burn on the tongue and soft palate, as well as a slight sourness.

As someone has already noted in a previous review, this ale is heavily reminiscent of the same brewery's Bruegel, but while the punch is greater here (8% versus 5%), I think Bruegel is the superior drink, having more nuanced flavors that last much longer into the mouthful.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 02:18:54 | More by jondeelee

4000qtrap

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Source/Serving: 11.2 oz bottle (aged 1-2 years)

S: Honey coated pears and apricots. Moderate blood orange and caramelized sugar. Flowers with white petals and interesting spicy hops soften the edges. Light white pepper. Pleasant alcohol esters arrive as it warms.

T: Slightly sweet apricot honey up front with more body that I anticipated, almost creamy. Floral hops saunter in over just a whiff of pepper in the middle. Tons of honeyed, candied apricot/blood orange fruitiness with a ton of nice complexity (lemon oil, passion fruit, mango) going on. Only moderately dry and only a touch bitter, but somehow even with all that fruitiness its semi-sweet at most and is more balanced that you might expect from the flavor description. Finish slightly dries out with a touch of pleasant alcohol added to the floral melange. Lingering green-skinned fruitiness and amped up floral hop flavor that remains smooth and mysterious.

Notes: A really luxurious, decadent tripel that regales you with its story and isn't afraid of over indulging. However, not the most complex or dynamic.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 01:26:14 | More by 4000qtrap

awmiller

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This brew poured up a murky apple-juice colored body with a huge foamy head with good retention and loads of lacing. Scents of yeast and malts intermingled with a bit of honey and ripe bananas. Flavors are near the same with the yeasts and malts and some spices with a tinge of alcohol and something near the lines of a sour mash taste at the finish. The body is light and thin with an ease of drinkability. For those that haven’t dabbled with tripels, this is a good start but know that tripels should possess a flavor complexity greater than what this brew presents.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 18:20:17 | More by awmiller