Leute Bok - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hard not to feel tricked here with the bock label, and goat depicted. Pours cola brown with some red. Sizable head at first and retains a decent level through most of pint. Nose has some fruity notes, dashin my hopes of a doppelbock . Bready notes too. Some fruity spice on the palate with good dose of malt. Log of carbonation . Fruity finish.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 03:00:11 | More by yemenmocha

evlu1441

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up in a mixed six-pack from Van Steenberge. It looks like the odd-man-out judging by the label, etc.

It pours a very very dark (nearly opaque) ruby colour with hints of amber coming through under normal lighting. The fluffy head is sizable and light brown.

The aroma is smooth with raisin and brown sugar being very clear. Slight Belgian yeasty smells come through, but the aroma is generally very subdued and pleasant.

Smooth with some brown sugar and honey up front. The malt character is quite developed and rather biscuity. Some nice floral notes from the yeast come through towards the end. There is a sort of lager-ish smoothness to the taste. Drinkablity is very high on this beer, and the alcohol is well hidden for 8.2%.

Overall, this is a nice deviation from what I was expecting. It's smooth and drinkable, while having lots of spice and character. An unusual beer in my books. If I can find this again, I'll be sure to get it.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 05:17:14 | More by evlu1441

BeerDocT

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got this in a Steenberge sample pack of six beers. I've purchased this 6-pack before and Leute takes the place of a beer called "Breugel," named after the Flemish painter. However, it must be noted that this is a different beer than "Breugel."

Poured from a bottle into a wide-mouthed glass.

-Appearance 4.0: Opaque and orangey brown. Very little head after pouring, less than one inch. Head dissolved to a tiny, attractive head that remained during the entire time I enjoyed the beer. Very small carbonation bubbles visible on the side.

-Smell 4.0: Subdued smell with nothing really jumping out. However, it does have a nice and warm yeast/ barley smell that is very pleasant.

-Taste 4.0: Lots of malt up front with a very smooth taste, in spite of all the bubbles (this is a very bubbly beer). I do not taste a lot of sweetness in the beer, nor is there any sourness. After swallowing, there is an extremely pleasant hoppy aftertaste that has a readily discernible nutmeg flavor. Delicious.

-Mouthfeel 3.5: Again, lots of bubbles. As I mentioned in a previous review of a Steenberge beer (Gulden Draak), this is a champagne level of bubbles. These are bottle-conditioned beers, but the excessive carbonation is somewhat distracting.

-Overall 4.0: Excellent beer. Refreshing like a lager, but with many more complexities and nuances of flavor. This beer has a relatively high ABV (7.5%), but it does not present itself in the taste of the beer. This beer is worth your time, and as one might notice by the increase in reviews of it, if it is not in your area yet, it may be there soon.

Could be a nice session beer, but since the sample pack was $15.99 for six beers, the session might have to be a very special occasion indeed.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 04:49:57 | More by BeerDocT

Zimbo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The initial smell in the bottle is, well, beery. It lacks that distinctiveness which makes you want to pursue and understand the intimate elements of this beer. Poured into a Duvel glass this gave a fairly effortless tight fluffy head. Deep brown in colour with some reddish brown. Chewy in the mouth with some brown sugar and just the edge of the medicinal. Bit of fizziness on the outskirts of the beer as well ending with some light ginger notes.

From what I've observed this has all the components to make quite a distinctive drink but to me it is just clumsy and fails to come together in an engaging way..

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 21:02:29 | More by Zimbo

rvdoorn

Netherlands

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Look: the beer pours a dark-reddish-brown color with a nice head.
Smell: Roasted malts, red berries, some sugar, yeast and earth.
Taste: Roasted malts, plum, light caramel and some spicy hops. Finish is moderately bitter and dry
Mouthfeel: medium carbonation and a thin body
Overall: Average bock beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 20:46:04 | More by rvdoorn

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

3.83/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Coming in a 330ml short brown bottle, this bottle is at 7.5%abv. only; BB 23/06/2013, served lightly-chilled in a Hapkin’s tulip-shaped bowl sniffer.

A: dark copper with ruby hues, lightly hazy, with a pillowy/foamy off-white head settling slowly to a sheet to last.
S: the nose is quite sweet & fruity, showing traces of apples, breezy brown sugar, fruit esters, marinated prunes, Munich malts, caramel & lightly-roasted malts.
T: not too sweet, the lightly nutty maltiness is intertwined with sugar's exotic-ism, mildly sour at the same time; followed by a deepening stream of herbal bitterness & spiced dried berries. The finish has a considerable amount of licorice-flavoured prunes like undertone lingering, underlined by a light touch of cocoa powder.
M&D: very light in carbonation, this beer comes at a lighter body due to the vivid weight-lifting effect of the sugar added vis-a-vis a relatively light malt body. The aftertaste is particularly enjoyable for my palate. Fairly quaffable~

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 18:20:28 | More by wl0307

Offa

California

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep red brown, medium-big tan head slowly shrinks to thin foamy top and some good lace.

Aroma is malty fruitiness (dried apricots and plums), clove yeastiness, hint of vanilla, fainty toastiness and winey hint.

Taste is nice, lightly winey, lightly spicy-fruity character with light dried fruits, raisins and apricots, light nutty toastiness. It has a light woody-port quality. A light sweetness just dominates, but it is not too sweet and it is mostly dryish. It has a good, fairly well-rounded character and is very drinkable good with beef and lamb, but not very complex and character is somewhat subdued.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 20:45:35 | More by Offa

drabmuh

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a leute bok glass. Beer is brown and hazy heavily carbonated. Some lacing looks good.

Aroma is mildly sweet malty with a mild roast.

Beer is medium bodied and tastes great. I really like it. I think I like nicks more than most. Sweet caramel. Nice malt. Overall great.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 02:55:41 | More by drabmuh

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy walnut brown with a frothy, foamy light tan head that dissolves quickly leaving little lacing behind.

Huge aromas of cherries, other dark fruits such as plums, and yeast waft from the glass.

Flavors consist of more dark fruit such as the aforementioned cherries, raisins, Belgian yeast and a sweet nuttiness. I also get the sense that there are some caramel malt notes hidden as well.

This Belgian Strong Dark is medium in body with generous carbonation.

This is a nice example of the style, although I can only assume that the brewer was heading somewhere between a bock and a Belgian. If this is the case, this is a nice mix.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 02:54:38 | More by CHADMC3

Chincino

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this beer yesterday on-tap as part of a beer sampler.

It poured a very dark brown and was slightly hazy. It was a bit thinner than would be expected.

The smell was of coffee, malts, etc.

I would say it had average drinkability-probably would not drink more than one in a sitting.

Good beer overall.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2011 12:51:59 | More by Chincino

Long813

Nova Scotia (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark brown body, not quite black. One and a half fingers of light mocha head. Retention is good and leaves nice lacing.

S: Sweet mix of distinct belgian yeast and roasted malts. Very nice smell, can't pick anything else out.

T: Follows the aroma, not much else can be said here. All around pleasing taste.

M: Medium bodied and high carbonation. Surprising pleasant after taste and only the slightest touch of alcohol present.

D: Nice brew from Belgium. Had three of them and enjoyed each one.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2011 02:36:44 | More by Long813

thepeter

United Kingdom (England)

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a Dark Murky Brown with a small head that turned to film rather quickly.

Smelled of rich roasty malt and the subdued spiciness of Belgian yeast. Maybe a bit of Dark fruit in there as well

Tastes dryer than I would have expected, Roasted malt definitly there but not very sweet. More woody and less dark fruit flavors compaired others. Very nice clean dry finish. Tastes nice but not too complex and certainly not amazing.

This is such a smooth and creamy beer that goes down very easy. the Alcohol is very well hidden, could have a few if I wanted but overall not as interesting as it could be.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2011 21:49:04 | More by thepeter

ThaCreep

Belgium

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Body slightly sweet (the button is still mild) with a finish which blends spices, first powerfully but diminishing over time and become more easily drinkable. As the nose is a bit weak and the flavors are not easily discernible even if the yeast carries the characteristic flavor of roasted malt. The aftertaste has a significant rate of IBU

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-25-2010 10:42:30 | More by ThaCreep

njmoons

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A unique beer in my experience, and strong belgian flavor with a crisp lager finish.

A - Dark Brown, slightly cloudy. Resulted in a moderate head that held out till I finished the beer.

S - Rich but subdued Belgian aroma, seemed much more balanced that most Belgians (I know big flavors are consistent with the style). A really nice and interesting aroma, exceptional.

T - I really had to get over my first impression before I could review this beer fairly. A great aroma, nice flavors, and a beautiful crisp finish were all overshadowed by how thin the mouthfeel was. So I had to refocus on the flavors and save the criticism for mouthfeel. So the flavor was really good, controlled Belgian flavor and an clean crisp finish you might expect from a lager. It was pretty good.

M - Oddly thin, especially for the style. Detracted from the overall beer.

D - Went down easy.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2010 17:51:11 | More by njmoons

benfons

Belgium

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

33 cl. bottle, 7,5% ABV, served in the original, funny but not very practical wobbly glass.

A: Very dark reddish brown, big head that dissapears, (almost like cola), no lacing

S: rock candy, some apple , some malt, sweet at first sour a bit later

T: Coffee, roasted malts, granny smith

M/D: a bit thin to my taste, carbonation a bit thin, alcohol is noticeable, but not to much.

An ok beer, but nothing more.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 20:42:42 | More by benfons

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml corked and caged bottle. Apparently it is a 2000ish vintage.

It pours a dense brown bordering on black. the initial pour is clear and the subsequent one, yaesty and cloudy. The head is white but quickly dissipates, as it is an older beer.

The smell is wonderful. Tannin, grapes, apples, apple peels, raisins, caramel, touch of cocoa, and a hint of alcohol. IT smells like it aged well, we will see about taste.

It definitely has more of a grape flavor than most of the style, I attribute it to the age of the bottle. There is thick grape, thick sweetness, a nice malt character, and some more alcohol in the flavor, the alcohol doesn't burn at all though, it is totally mellow and smooth.

The mouthfeel is rich and decadent, there is prickling carbonation but not a huge amount of it, just right.

I spent 3.99 for this bottle, I'm thinking I should go back and buy them out on this one, a rare find.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2010 22:39:26 | More by crossovert

Graham5161986

British Columbia (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

This beer does what many other belgians do - almost explodes when popping the cap.

Once poured into my Duvel Tulip, it has a very dark brown (almost black) colour but with definite ruby highlights when held up to light. The head is simply massive and I actually had to wait a while before pouring the whole thing because it would have spilled over. The head is bubbly and rocky, has excellent retention and is a light tan colour. There's some serious lacing left on my glass. A very pretty looking beer overall.

This beer's nose features light fruit, candied sugar and spice with a good amount of yeast and a touch of leather and light grain.

Taste is quite sweet and sugary up front with loads of cotton candy and candied fruit with good amounts of spice and caramel. The finish is surprisingly dry and crisp given the sugary palate and has a nutty, bread and butter linger. It's a bit too sweet for me and, in that way, kinda one dimensional.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, quite creamy and chewy with a high level of carbonation and, again, a slightly oily yet surprisingly clean finish.

This beer isn't super high in alcohol but it sure is a sugar bomb. That said, there's no way I would want another right away. It's a tasty brew but it's just a bit too sweet to be a regular for me. I would buy it again but I won't be rushing back for more.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2010 07:20:17 | More by Graham5161986

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy dark chocolate brown color with slight amber edges when held to a light source and a thick two finger frothy, tan foam head. Decent retention, slowly fading into a lasting ring. Minimal spots of lacing left behind.

Bready yeast aroma with hints of candi sugar, hops, dark fruit notes, chocolate and spice. Hints of plum, raisin and fig. Smells interesting.

Medium bodied with soft carbonation up front that lingers throughout into a bitter finish. Sweet and malty with hints of roasted bitter dark chocolate malts and dark fruit. Dark cherry, plum and raisin are evident. The dark chocolate notes are most prominent in the finish. I usually like the combination of these flavors but this beer was a bit too roasty and bitter for my liking and had a strange alcohol astringency that I found off-putting.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 22:12:27 | More by corby112

SkeeterHawk

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Slightly cloudy burnt orange color with a thick head of tan bubbles sitting on top that is maintained by numerous bubbles rising, so it stuck around for at least a few minutes before it noticeably started to fade. There is some thick lacing left on the glass after drinking, so it is a pretty inviting looking beer overall.

Aroma: My first impression was of some sweet caramel and dark fruit mixed with lots of toasty notes. The beer has some floral hops noticeable in the aroma, but they are definitely playing a supporting role.

Taste: The flavor is definitely malty, but there is a lot more alcohol noticeable in the flavor than I ever would have suspected from the aroma. There is also tons of toasty notes that fade in and out the whole time that you are tasting it. The beer is medium bodied with lots of carbonation, so it slips across the palate before you are really aware of what happened. There is alcoholic warming that sits in pretty quickly in the finish and lingers for a while as the warming and is also contributing a spice that sits there for a while.

Opinion: This is a pretty decent beer. It has some bold flavors that meld pretty well. I am not sure if it will get softer with age, or if this may be a tad old and that it is starting to go over the edge. I will drink the whole thing, but it doesn't go down "smooth as silk" as a lot of Belgian Strong Ales do. This one has lots going on, so if you want a beer that is not boring (and not a sour), this would be a pretty good choice.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 06:57:52 | More by SkeeterHawk

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL champagne style bomber, poured into a Luete glass with wooden base

An extremely murky, russet body with garnet highlights and a fast rising tan head. Good retention with minor lacing. By the looks alone, this is an intriguing beer. Leaning in for a good whiff, raisins and figs dominate the nose. Butterscotch, fruit and a touch of cocoa powder. On the palate, the raisins really take center stage and do not give up the spotlight. Butterscotch and fruit ease their way in, but are quickly beaten back by raisins and figs. The finish is slightly sweet and bitter. The earthy hops hit you up front and add enough in the finish to let you know they are there. A sturdy beer, but it drinks rather light. Creamy and smooth body that is trademark of the best Belgians out there.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2009 16:22:38 | More by ColForbinBC

Absumaster

Netherlands

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A dark copper beer with a fading head, which is lacing.

Smell is very malty (caramel) with a candisugar kick and a fruity Belgian yeast character.

Taste is sweet and malty with clear notes of caramel malts and candisugar. A classic Belgian combination of malt and yeast character. The latter adds a fruity taste. I get a moderate bitterness which might be a bit roasted. All very mild. Mouthfeel is a little sticky and sweet. This beer is all about malt and Belgian yeast. Easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2009 18:20:50 | More by Absumaster

Travlr

District of Columbia

3.15/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Gift from fellow beer travelers at Delirium in Brussels.
Appearance gets extra points because of the cool balancing glass. Very dark brown, large tan head with incredible lacing.
Smell is malt and light spice.
Taste is sweet caramel candy, with a hint of apple.
Not very complex, just a simple, sweet strong brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2009 00:52:17 | More by Travlr

PapaEugene

Netherlands

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The last bockbeer in my fridge... besides two 6-packs of La Trappe bock.

A: Darkbrown/amber color and a lightbrown head.

S: Roasted malts, caramel, dark and red fruits.

T: Roasted malts, some hops and dark fruits. Slightly bitter in aftertaste.

M: Nicely creamy with a medium carbonation and a medium body.

D: Very worthwhile.... but to me more like a dubbel than a bock.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2009 21:02:44 | More by PapaEugene

glid02

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store, served in a glass that confounds numerous people each night I'm sure.

Pours a slightly hazy ruby brown color with a one-finger off-white head. The head recedes into a thin pancake on top leaving thick lacing on the side of the egg-shaped glass.

Smells of green apples with good amounts of raisins and a hint of Belgian candi sugar.

Tastes similar to how it smells. It's supposed to be a bock but as the style above indicates it's certainly closer to a BSDA. Green apple flavors that manage not to down out other flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by sugar-coated dark fruits. As it warms the dark fruit flavors fade a bit but they're front and center throughout. The ending is crisp.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with solid carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I didn't have a problem finishing the glass and could have another.

Overall this is one of the most unique bocks I've ever had. Worth a shot if for nothing else than the novelty.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2009 02:26:04 | More by glid02

pinotboy007

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Clear deep mahogany with a tan colored cap that recedes to a thin layer and a bit of lace; steady carbo stream can be seen when shown up to light.

S - Caramel and malty spice. Improved as it warmed.

T - Toffee, some earthiness and Belgian sugar without being sweet, along with a sort of pipe tobacco flavor.

M- Nice. Light carbonation with a touch of sourness to this medium bodied brew.

D - More than drinkable and would pair nicely with smoked turkey/game bird/chicken.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 23:10:20 | More by pinotboy007