Gaspar Ale - Picobrouwerij Alvinne / Den Bierzolder

horndecker

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

It's promoted as the bitterest beer in Belgium. Perhaps it's true. Although Fantomes Brise BonBons claims a mighty bitterness as well, Gaspar wins.
But this is not the sharp tangy bitterness of an American IPA. It's funky, herbal and relentless, but not scalding. The beer has a hazy, brassy appearance, a great billowing off-white fine merenguey head, clumpy and long-lived. Smells of malt, pine, green apples and tangerine. The first sip shows bitterness, but it's washed away by fruit and malt, a hint of sugar, then the herbal bite takes over, dusty and persistent.
It took some getting used to, but the second half of the bottle was more enjoyable than the first.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2007 03:04:33 | More by horndecker

Kenzie

Utah

4/5  rDev +11.1%

05-14-2013 05:44:34 | More by Kenzie

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

2.89/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This 11.2oz bottle was an impulse buy. A Belgian IPA clocking in at 115 IBU? You had me at Belgian IPA.

It's a good looking beer, that's for sure. Plenty of long-lasting foam on top of that amber liquid, flecked with sediment.

It smells nothing like I expect. It's slightly medicinal -- maybe a hint of band-aid in there -- with a bit of burnt sugar.

And it sure it bitter! I'm not sure there is enough going on to compensate. The flavor follows the aroma, but with a twinge of sourness akin to a squeeze of lemon in a glass of iced tea -- enough to detect, but not enough to define it. Sadly, the burnt sugar is not backed with a little sweetness. This could use just a little. There is a tiny astringency that emerges at it warms.

This is my second beer from Alvinne. Each has seemed experimental and somewhat gimmicky. I would pass on this if offered one.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 05:58:01 | More by DaveAnderson

pirmannt1

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

02-24-2013 04:36:16 | More by pirmannt1

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

12-07-2012 17:11:52 | More by t0rin0

sneaks2210

New York

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%

11-14-2012 21:29:21 | More by sneaks2210

HoistinBrews

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

10-11-2012 23:18:01 | More by HoistinBrews

UCLABrewN84

California

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

On tap at Lucky Baldwin’s in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy orange-tan head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and some herbal hop aromas. Taste is much the same with a medium amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is drinkable but not something I would seek out again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2012 01:04:23 | More by UCLABrewN84

FreshHawk

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

06-28-2012 06:07:58 | More by FreshHawk

vegasmac99

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%

05-13-2012 17:29:03 | More by vegasmac99

Brewsed

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +11.1%

04-18-2012 18:55:22 | More by Brewsed

LornaLee

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-04-2012 18:00:33 | More by LornaLee

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge white head - hey I'm not the only one that can get over-carbonation. Mild spicy with shots of citrus over a pale malt. Kinda' nice - not great - a little refreshing and light.
Slightly cloudy darker gold. Lot's of swirling bubbles with the nucleation of my SN tulip.
Boy, there is a lot going on in the flavor. Tart, spicy, citrus, long grapefruit finish (with no Am. hops), interesting hop flavors (and I wonder if they might actually be a little subdued, as I'm not sure of the age). Not great, but interesting and full of flavor.
With all that carbonation really is quite smooth and soft in feel. A little on the light side.
Enjoyable beer. I like this style. More unique than standard, but worth a taste.
Courtesy of my bil Todd. Many thanks.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 02:16:58 | More by garymuchow

djcira

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

02-19-2012 16:46:08 | More by djcira

chrispoint

Connecticut

2.5/5  rDev -30.6%

02-18-2012 17:42:49 | More by chrispoint

slvrmon82

Delaware

4/5  rDev +11.1%

02-18-2012 15:00:09 | More by slvrmon82

samEBC

Belgium

4/5  rDev +11.1%

02-09-2012 23:14:35 | More by samEBC

jfcaa193

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

02-01-2012 03:03:19 | More by jfcaa193

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3/5  rDev -16.7%

01-29-2012 07:00:07 | More by ygtbsm94

jophish17

Georgia

2.5/5  rDev -30.6%

12-24-2011 08:29:40 | More by jophish17

kayrex

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.1%

11-29-2011 22:38:50 | More by kayrex

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev -16.7%

11-25-2011 14:29:14 | More by Rochefort10nh

DoctorB2B

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +11.1%

11-20-2011 21:06:14 | More by DoctorB2B

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +11.1%

11-20-2011 04:49:10 | More by JAHMUR

vince4953529

California

4/5  rDev +11.1%

11-15-2011 04:09:41 | More by vince4953529