Bruegel Amber Ale - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Smells strongly of honey--the expensive wildflower kind found in organic markets, that is--as well as boasting hints of apple cider, banana, and a slight spiciness that is somewhere between allspice and cloves.

On the tongue, honey is also the first flavor to come across, but that quickly evolves into a far darker flavor than would be expected, given the brew's golden tint. Think sweet molasses or light maple syrup here, or perhaps pure cane sugar with just a touch of pure vanilla. Light fruity esters hang just behind these darker sugars, with banana, apple, and pear notes dancing backstage, and far, far beneath them, lovely little hints of toasted grains. The aftertaste is dominated by honey and lightly-toasted biscuity grains, and lasts a considerable time longer than would be expected. There's virtually no hint of hops in this brew, except for a slight fuzz about the aftertaste.

Overall, this is a fine, full-bodied beer, and brought an unexpected and pleasurable dark sweetness to the table.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 02:21:35 | More by jondeelee

kvnstfrd

Missouri

1.5/5  rDev -56.9%

05-23-2013 04:39:06 | More by kvnstfrd

Bill235

Ohio

3/5  rDev -13.8%

05-13-2013 11:50:12 | More by Bill235

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.31/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bruegel has a very thick, foamy, rocky, off-white head and a hazy, golden appearance, with lots of heavy lacing left behind and a good amount of streaming bubbles in the beer. The aroma is of sweet brown bread, bread crust, and toffee. Taste is of those elements, with a tea aspect and mild bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium and slick, and Bruegel finishes semi-dry, sweet, and pleasant. Overall, this is a nice, well-made beer, and I rate it as being excellent. I recommend it.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 21:24:03 | More by RonaldTheriot

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

4.25/5  rDev +22.1%

03-23-2013 07:07:47 | More by grahamboudreaux

MarvinSnyder

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +22.1%

03-18-2013 21:18:19 | More by MarvinSnyder

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +7.8%

03-11-2013 05:53:03 | More by spycow

3SH33TS

California

2/5  rDev -42.5%

03-11-2013 03:51:20 | More by 3SH33TS

matjack85

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +7.8%

02-02-2013 13:21:50 | More by matjack85

Chepe

Chile

4.5/5  rDev +29.3%

12-28-2012 02:15:14 | More by Chepe

cliff1066

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

12-16-2012 23:41:45 | More by cliff1066

Chucker17

South Dakota

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

12-11-2012 02:44:01 | More by Chucker17

nico_freespirit

3.75/5  rDev +7.8%

11-20-2012 17:15:56 | More by nico_freespirit

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -13.8%

11-11-2012 00:36:12 | More by cfalovo97

bzach

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

10-12-2012 10:52:21 | More by bzach

freewill35

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

09-28-2012 01:18:32 | More by freewill35

Molson2000

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

09-10-2012 21:30:00 | More by Molson2000

beerpadawan

California

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

08-27-2012 16:59:46 | More by beerpadawan

leagr

Missouri

4/5  rDev +14.9%

08-10-2012 01:27:19 | More by leagr

acevenom

Louisiana

4.83/5  rDev +38.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I picked this up as part of a six pack sampler of Belgian beer. Poured into a chalice. This beer had to be poured immediately lest the beer would have flowed out the bottle. The beer pours hazy amber with a large white head that dissipates quickly, but leaves a nice cap of head. This beer appears to be very carbonated. Plenty of lacing is left behind during consumption. The aroma is of sweet caramel and bread. The yeast also brings fruity esters (raisin) as well. It's such a terrific smelling pale ale. The taste follows the nose. It's bready, but also mildly sweet with caramel and raisin flavors. There's also some mild spices and a somewhat grassy flavor. The hop bitterness is low. The flavors aren't strong or cloying, but milder and very enjoyable. The body is light with high carbonation. The finish is slightly dry. The drinkability is very high. This is an excellent beer. If you find this beer, you should definitely try it.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 02:25:31 | More by acevenom

Birdlegs

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

07-21-2012 22:51:52 | More by Birdlegs

DruC4

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev +0.6%

06-18-2012 20:52:58 | More by DruC4

OriolesFan1008

Maryland

4/5  rDev +14.9%

05-30-2012 19:19:03 | More by OriolesFan1008

TheResidentialOP

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +14.9%

05-28-2012 01:45:33 | More by TheResidentialOP

SickNukes

Pennsylvania

1/5  rDev -71.3%

05-22-2012 02:04:33 | More by SickNukes