Quintine Blonde - Brasserie Ellezelloise

RoyalT

Ohio

2.63/5  rDev -31.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Appearance – Nice, deep, cloudy orange color with a thick head that laced the glass on the way down.

Smell – There’s some yeast in there, but otherwise it smells like the all-too-common overly orange ales that I’m finding in the BSPA category lately.

Taste – The orange syrup dominates, as suspected. There’s actually a hop balance in this once, but mostly overpowering sweetness.

Mouthfeel – Flat considering the big carbonation at the pour.

Drinkability – This is not my idea of a BSPA. This is more like a flat, freshly-squeezed witbier from Florida.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2003 03:57:59 | More by RoyalT

BeerBelcher

Ohio

2.68/5  rDev -29.8%
look: 1 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a thick hazy dirty blond color with a thick sticky head of tiny bubbles that hangs on forever. There was a lot of sediment in my glass, which was not flattering from an appearance perspective. Aroma is a bit spicy with a bit of sweet malt toffee-ness, but pretty faint. Flavor is effervescent and fruity, but also stale and cardboard-y. I think this beer is fresh - I brought it home from Belgium this week in my wooden leg, so I think this is a flaw. Not really for me.

I wouldn't really recommend this, although it's leaving a warm feeling in my chest that I can't hold against it.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 19:36:00 | More by BeerBelcher

earthling

California

2.79/5  rDev -27%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

I drank it out of a tulip glass. This copper-colored "blonde" tastes quite raisiny. Although I purchased it from a reputable San Francisco beer store, it's possible this bottle wasn't refrigerated its entire life. The bottle does contain live yeast.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 23:26:26 | More by earthling

MABZ

Nebraska

2.83/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This was one hell of a disappointment after having enjoyed the Brasserie Ellezelloise Hercule Stout so much. The beer pours to a light blonde color, but the sediment sneaks up on you quickly and turns it into a dark hazy golden color. The head is a bit thin and recedes quickly, leaving only a small lacing.

The smell is interesting. Very malty and sweet with prunes, raisins, and figs in the back.

The taste is like a hearty 12 grain wheat bread mixed with water and dark fruits, such as those mentioned in the nose. Not pleasant.

The mouthfeel is surprisingly light considering the beer tastes so bready. I will definitely not buy this again, though I will probably revisit their stout again (as it is actually WORTH paying $5 a bottle). This one met the drain soon after I wrapped up the review, which is now...

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2005 05:10:07 | More by MABZ

aracauna

Georgia

2.85/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The golden amber body supports a very large and cottony white foam. A lemon and hay aroma has a bit of a sour washcloth to it. The flavor is straw-like malt, uncooked green beans. It has a dry finish and smooth mouthfeel. This is a pretty blah belgian blonde.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2003 23:50:57 | More by aracauna

GreenCard

Oregon

3/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: light amber to dusty gold, even layer of dense off-white foam with good retention, a bit lacy, slightly hazy

Aroma: a bit bready and appley, very light clovey phenols, hops are somewhat floral (like a pilsner), alcohol, yeast, old socks

Flavor: hearty amount of malt sweetness which is initially challenged by peppery alcohol and then by a vegetal hop bitterness, crackers or toast, slight tanginess, hop flavor is quite pronounced, hint of yeasty mustiness, finishes semi-dry with a lingering bitterness and alcohol taste

Mouthfeel: medium body, crisp carbonation, lots of alcohol warmth, a bit sharp

Overall Impression: Not one of this brewery's best. The ambre takes that title probably. This one just seems a bit amateurish for a blonde.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2004 19:54:02 | More by GreenCard

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.08/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Flip-top 11.2 oz bottle.
Thanks Todd.
Poured into snifter.
Bready and wine-like with bits o spice, a tad oxidized, some sweetness approaching a light caramel. Complex and nice.
Even with a loud pop upon opening, poured with virtually no head. Very cloudy and muddy looking. Significant yeast disturbance (and bottom of bottle is very darkly covered).
Flavors are kinda' muddled too. Strong malt character, a little yeasty spiciness. Soft fruit and alcohol. Some oxidation lending a mild cardboard quality.
Moderate to slightly higher mouthfeel. Really flat, esp. for style.
I think I had this a couple years ago and that bottle was clearly too old, so I didn't review it. This one seems less effected by age, but still gets knocked some. Both bottles came from the same store.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 01:37:36 | More by garymuchow

stcules

Italy

3.2/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Full orange colour, with a white, creamy, compact head.
Smell: green apple, white flowers, fresh grass, yellow lemon, pink grape fruit. Yeast and bread. After a while, ripe banana.
At the taste the hop is dominant, but well amalgamated with the background sweetness. Grape fruit, lemon. A little astringent.
Medium body.
Aftertaste citric and hoppy, not too marked.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2004 19:12:58 | More by stcules

Shakujin

Japan

3.3/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Dark and a more brown than I would like in a blond. The slightly brownish white does not spur the palate. good carbonation and a quality slightly rocky foam. Lacing is good but not outstanding.

Smell: Honey, lemon, apple, green raisins

Taste: Interesting. Candy sugar sweetness and lemon like bitterness in the front, with with vegetable, grassy hops in a long finish. Then in the background the oak ( whiskey?) plays around a bit.

Mouthfeel: No Comment

Drinkability: Interesting take on the strong blond ale beer. Not quite sure everything came together harmoniously but a good beer. With the complexities and the ABV though a tasting beer rather than a staple.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2010 02:26:03 | More by Shakujin

ThaCreep

Belgium

3.3/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Blonde more or less opaque. It feels a little freshness of hops and his side medicated plant. The mouth is simple but spicy is discernible hops which leads to bitterness and power. The finish is persistent. The power hop is well transcribed, which is somewhat surprising in a classic Belgian pale ale. Unfortunately, no great originality or great flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 19:11:22 | More by ThaCreep

dgallina

Georgia

3.35/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

330ml bottle marked best-before April 2008.

In the tulip, the beer is a hazy golden tan that's full of sediment. A thin white head rises rapidly on the pour, then recedes quickly leaving behind thin lace tendrils. The aroma suggests pineapple and mango blended with husky grains, yeast, and some alcohol bitterness. The flavor is exceedingly gentle at the outset; light fruit notes with hints of malty sweetness. The finish is rather beastly, however. Over-strong medicinal alcohol with phenolic overtones. Body is light, airy, and easy drinking. An uneven beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2007 03:54:16 | More by dgallina

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Cool swing top bottle, hazy straw colour, with bits of yeast floating around here and there, aroma is quite yeasty, slightly bready, and hoppy and perhaps a bit spicy. Very lively carbonation, quite concentrated aswell, quite fruity middle with a hop bitter finish, alcohol shines through a tad at the end.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2002 00:27:27 | More by rastaman

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured an hazy dark golden color ale with an above medium head with better then average retention. Aroma is mix of very floral malt and some very wonderful spices. Taste is a bit harsh at first (like a rush of spices hitting your tongue) with some sweetness coming in later and some light bitterness at the end. Very enjoyable and good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2005 19:25:41 | More by Phyl21ca

Gavage

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: clear orange in color with a wispy thin head.

Smell: yeast, fruit sweetness, and some grassiness is detectable.

Taste: mild malt base with some yeast, golden apples, pears, some soft lemon zest, and a mild bitterness. Alcohol levels are not noticeable.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp throughout. Aftertaste is brief and mild.

Drinkability: easy to quaff this beer but flavorwise is decent not great. Worth a try but don't expect to be blown away here.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2009 15:34:34 | More by Gavage

ghurux86

Missouri

3.7/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

apperance: pours a cloudy dark orange with a mediocre head. the head is white and creamy but doesn't last long, and leaves little lacing. overall pretty good but nothing outstanding.
smell: alcohol, citrus (possibly lemon), maybe banana, smells pretty good.
taste: alcohol is pretty noticable along with some spices and citrus. aftertaste reveals alcohol even more. the alcohol is somewhat overpowering.
mouthfeel: it feels pretty good, smooth with light carbonation, but not astounding once again.
drinkability: i'd have another and another if it didn't cost so much, so unfortunately i may never have it again, there are so many others to try.
i'd say that overall it's worth getting at least once and not that bad for being 8% ABV, but there are better beers in this style.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2004 07:59:23 | More by ghurux86

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pale amber color, big, creamy, rocky white head, with loads of yeast coming through on the pour. Aroma: vanilla, fruits, citrus, peach, and a certain sea-foam character I find in witbiers, among others. Soft, mellow, mild hops, medium body. I admit a feeling of "been there/done that", and, while it is good, I'm a little blase about this one. Tingly, sparkly, fruity, and delicious...it's just that I've had better.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2003 21:05:11 | More by feloniousmonk

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a hazy golden/orange color with a big fluffy white head with moderate visible carbonation and lots of small suspended peppery floaties.

S: The aroma was yeasty and sweet with light citrus peel notes and ripe fruit (apples, pears).

T: The flavor was very sweet, honey wheat malt, lemon citrus and a nice variety of spiciness. The palate was fresh wheat and very refreshing against the spicy character of this beer that drank more like a witbier.

M: light and slick. The beer finished with a slight touch of yeasty sourness, oranges and a spicy hoppiness (saaz).

D: Overall a spicy and sour blonde that was refreshing and very thirst quenching.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2008 13:31:38 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Slightly hazy and golden amber, this beer poured with a short, eggshell cap of fine bubbles that showed great retention and produced thick, chunky lacing. The aroma was heavy on bread and yeast, but had notes of berries, cotton candy, and apple as well. Still, the nose was mild overall. Moderate bitterness with a light fruity flavour with some bread and malt sweetness rounding it out. Grassy hops were evident towards the end and it finished with a little bit of alcohol warmth. Light bodied with high carbonation. A very enjoyable drink, tasty and refined.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2007 18:38:49 | More by DrJay

thierrynantes

France

3.83/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sorry but this following comment is in french :

Appearance : Spéciale, dorée, limpide (sur levure). Belle mousse blanche abondante, bien saturée.
Smell : Nez fleuri de houblon frais, arôme de levure. Saveur franche.
Taste and mouthfell : goût de malt fruité, et de levure. amertume fruitée.
Drinkability : bonne bière dans le style Belgian strong ale (bitter ?)

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2007 17:55:45 | More by thierrynantes

kunzbrew

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This brew pours a hazy golden straw color with a white fluffy dence head that last for a while reducing to a white collar leaving a lace behind. The smell of cloves and alcohol go straight to the nose. The first reveals a pleasant hop flavor with a cloves and fruitiness that pours onto the pallate. There is not a lot of carbonation which did not seem to hurt the beer any.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2003 15:21:44 | More by kunzbrew

Jason

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Cute little 11.2 oz swing top bottle, freshness date is noted on the side of the label. Long blurb about the beer and brewery on the back label is interesting. Thanks to Daniel from The Moan & Dove in Amherst, MA for the sample.

Appearance: Awesome white lacing that almost shimmer against the light. The lace holds strong from an active bubbly carbonation. Clouded pale golden with tiny particles of sediment floating around.

Smell: Ripe apple with a faint tangerine and lemony tartness, mild raw honey and light powdery yeast in the aroma.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Uniformly crisp and smooth from a well developed conditioning. Carbonation is medium to high within a moderate body. Fast to the fruitiness of apple with yeasty overtones. Estery without a doubt, alcohol warms slowly with a ghost like solvent alcohol. An underlying layer of maltiness is sweet on the palate. Big veggie hop bitterness with a huge earthy backing of husky grain, hop flavour and yeast. Slightly astringent with a semi-sweet finish.

Notes: Swift in its complexities and tries to make my taste buds hesitate for a bit, there is a balance within the layers and further into the finish. A decent digestive with the higher carbonation and bitter qualities. A treat none the less. Anyone to play around with such a small swing-top bottle has got some funk in the trunk.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2003 15:50:18 | More by Jason

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy golden amber color with a white foamy head. Aroma consists of crisp light golden fruit and alcohol presence. Very nice crisp fruit flavors; apple, pear, raisin and banana, balanced with pilsner maltiness and a slight hoppy dry finish. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2008 05:56:52 | More by corby112

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Farmhouse in Emmaus. Served in a wine glass, it appeared a hazy light amber (blonde) with light lacing. The aroma was a bit lacking - sweet creamy cake. The flavor is quite different, with a pleasant light grain malt backbone under a heavier herbal/citrus rind hops character that dominates this beer into the aftertaste. This is a hoppy Belgian and aside from the lack of aroma, it's a fairly nice drink. I'd have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2009 06:31:17 | More by tempest

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours with a strong head that leaves some lace. Sweet nose, good malt flavor, medium body, finishes with a good malt/hoppy taste but the alcohol is not noticeable. Cloudy yellow with at least 1/16" of chunky bits settling at the bottom - most I have seen. Good carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2003 16:39:18 | More by jdhilt

mj001jk

California

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours an orange hazy color with a medium fine foam that disappears quickly leaving a thin film on the surface.

Nose is fruity and funky, candied red apples and some citrus with a rustic earthiness that adds complexity. I really like this aspect of the beer but there is not much in terms of maltiness if you are looking for that.

Refreshing and light, again the fruit notes show up red apple and orange with a small amount of bittering as well as aromatic hops. The beer is not very complex, but it makes for a very tasty session beer if you want to pound Belgians on your lawn mower. Just make sure it is YOUR lawn you are cutting.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2009 01:52:30 | More by mj001jk