Quintine Blonde - Brasserie Ellezelloise

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

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

jibbyvonjibb

California

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

bottle @ Brocante cafe, Brussels

A: Rather hazy, with a copper color.

S: Smells a bit of jasmine, in the same way that Zinnebir does, but much less intense and balanced. Some candi sweetness.

T: Starts off slightly sweet but ends dry. Some earthy hops are evident in finish.

M: light-medium in body. Carbonation medium.

O: Highly drinkable and well balanced. Less sugar than most blonds, which I appreciate.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 19:34:17 | More by jibbyvonjibb

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

zeff80

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a cloudy, golden bronze color with a one-finger white head of foam. Good head retention and sticky, intricate lacing.

S - It smelled very fruity and yeasty. It was a really strong dried fruit aroma.

T - Great dried fruit flavors - plum and raisin with hints of apple. Good yeasty, spiciness that was not overpowering.

M - Very crisp and sharp with some real pop. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

D - This is a really tasty Belgian ale. Glad I finally grabbed this one at the store.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 16:16:29 | More by zeff80

pioppo

Italy

4.08/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Golden yellow. Quite fine and quite persistente white foam.

S - Very intense aromas of apple. Pleasant feeling of honey. A little of orange peel and lemon.

T - Like the smell, apple and honey appear.

M - Ethylic and bitterness are balanced each other in a very fine way. The high level of alcohol it's hidden in part by the bitter of hop. Good body and smoothness.

D - A delicate carbonation and the bitter that balances sweetness make this beer very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 23:45:53 | More by pioppo

YannickB

Belgium

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a hazy orange blond with a nice white head. Head retention is good.

S: Smells very refreshing, lots of green apple, some tangy lemon and a bit of honey.

T: The noses comes back in taste palate. It statts of a bit fruity with green apple which goes to a more malty character. Lot of floral hop bitterness afterwards. Together with the astringent notes it almost seems like quinine. A little bit of alcohol heating comes through sometimes.

M: Mild carbonation that prickles the tongue a little bit. Dryness from the astringency.

T: A very refreshing beer, I would love a few of these on a warm summer day. Although you have a bit of alcohol heating, the beer covers its 8% abv very well.

Conclusion: I like this beer, the special hoppy aftertaste really hit the spot. I still love drinks loaded with quinine, so I loved it here again.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 19:01:48 | More by YannickB

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

ccrida

Oregon

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

33cl flip-top (date punched April 2008) poured into my De Proef flute, Quintine Blonde is a cloudly, dark dirty gold with a pretty big white head that leaves scattered lace.

Smell is sweet, honey and a bit of wild flowers.

Taste is also pretty sweet, some musty yeastiness, again, honey and flowers. Pretty simple, but full flavored, with the alcohol well-hidden.

Mouthfeel is smooth, medium-heavy body.

Drinkability is pretty good, a tasty if simple BSPA. I like that funky mustiness that seems to permeate all of Brasserie Ellezelloise's beers. I like that they come in flip-tops, even though I'm surely paying for it, they're convenient for refilling with homebrews!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2009 02:12:09 | More by ccrida

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

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

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

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

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.03/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sparkly gold with abundant bubbles and a glorious cap of alabaster froth. There's even a fine yeasty haze to make things more interesting yet. As expected, the head looks good as it deflates, leaving quite a bit of smeary lace in the process. Subsequent pours add even more yeast, a creamier crown and more interesting looking lace.

The aroma isn't that aromatic, but very little of the foam has faded. Right now, there's a golden fruitiness and a pinch of 'white' spiciness. It becomes more powerful with warming and develops a muskiness that is appealing.

For whatever reason, the flavor is bolder and better. There's really nothing unique about this particular beer, but then that's hardly a negative. Simply put, it's another in a long line of well-brewed strong pale ales from the country that invented and perfected the style.

The pale malt backbone is just big enough and the candi sugar provides just the right amount of sweetness to offset the hop bitterness and the yeasty spiciness. In other words, we have... balance. Tangy pears, Golden Delicious apples and few chunks of banana combine with a zippy spiciness. Good job all around.

The mouthfeel doesn't quite make it to the level achieved by the best of style. It delivers a light creaminess, a decent amount of mouthfilling volume and tingly carbonation.

Maybe it's the fact that I haven't had a good BSPA in a while, but this bottle of Brasserie Ellezelloise Quintine Blonde disappeared in a big hurry. A price of $5.89 is a bit steep for regular consumption, but I'm still glad I rescued this bottle from the shelf and gave it a home in my cart... then my fridge.. then my belly.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2008 12:39:38 | More by BuckeyeNation

Cromster

California

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased from Beer Mania in Brussels after being recommended to us by Nasser.

Poured from a Bottle into a trappist goblet

Appearance - Hazy golden yellow with a creamy white head about 1-2 fingers deep. Good lacing all around the glass. Lots of sediment floating in this one.

Smell - Citrus, apples and yeast. Sweet yet tart smelling with a good amount of alcohol.

Taste - Yeast flavors are right up front with some hints of apple and citrus. The finish is very hoppy but not overpowering. The alcohol comes through strong in the end and warms the mouth.

Mouthfeel - Good amount of carbonation with a nice crisp feel.

Drinkability - If you are in the mood for a hoppy beer with a good crisp refreshing feel this beer is for you. I could drink this one alot on a nice warm summer day.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2008 06:13:21 | More by Cromster

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a fully fogged in orange brown with a nice sized head. Nose is a pungent citrus with a yeast nose. An interesting funk lies on the back side of it as well. Flavor is pretty funky with some saison like character I think. Overall though it is more so a BSPA. Alcohol very quietly hits the tongue at the very end. Before that though, there is a nice yeast tone with an expected sugar sweetness to it. It's just a nice and earthy brew. Feel is thick and caressing with carbonation. Liquid feels fairly thick. Overall very drinkable. Well made and pretty even, it has some staying power to it that is worth sipping on. The price is a wee bit too high though.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 20:14:47 | More by RblWthACoz

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

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

Beerbuddha

Louisiana

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

Appearance- Poured a nice golden hazy color. Had a nice fluffy, white head.

Smell- Not much of a smell. The only thing I could really detect was the smell of the alcohol.

Taste- Nice hop flavors with hint of malts. The alcohol is a bit high and it kind of overpowers the taste.

Mouthfeel- Very carbonated. Light body.

Drinkability- This beer was okay. It wasn't even close to their Saison 2000.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2007 01:35:23 | More by Beerbuddha

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

For some reason this beer looked really familiar to me, (probably from this site) so i decided i would give it a try. It poured a gold color, with a big head that faded quickly, and a good amount of tiny sediment particles floating around giving it a whole other layer of color. Smell was bursting with that Belgian yeast characteristic of the style. It was also loaded with fruits such as peaches, bananas and oranges. In the taste, first comes the fruit, then some candied sugar, then an alcohol punch, finally ended by an almost earthy calming down. Mouthfeel was medium bodied...not too heavy and not too light. I would drink this one all night. This is the best Belgian beer I have tried since Gulden Draak. A great beer to be had.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2007 00:53:09 | More by jamie2dope

BeerHonky

New York

4.28/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Swing top bottle at Bier Circus in Brussels. Served in a specific glass from the brewery with artwork on the side (just about all beers at Bier Circus are served with corresponding glassware). Nice cloudy golden yellow beer with a super light and fluffy head. Big juicy aromas of citrus fruits and esters can be immediately detected from bar counter distance. Taste is equally as strong and fruity. All sorts of fruit flavors are present, hard to pinpoint. These are mixed with a nice balance of pithy fruit skin texture, belgian yeast, and alcohol. Somewhat prickly carbonation left little to no trace of any aftertastes. Certainly not something you want to drink a lot of, but rather enjoy and pick out all the hidden flavors. Awesome.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2006 17:32:50 | More by BeerHonky

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

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

goodbyeohio

Oregon

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

recommended to me by nasser of beer mania after telling him i like tripels.. served from 11.2 flip-top bottle.. $3. pours a pleasant gold with adequate carbonation and peppy but slight foam head.

aroma is heavy of candy sugar. after the accidentally sour beers ive been drinking and hating, this is a jolt back to the world of better beer.

taste is a bit on the alcoholy side, but brings out a sharp citrus and sweetness in the aftertaste which melts nicely into the lasting aroma for a complex, smooth, smoky beer sipping experience. this is the perfect beer for this particular oversized snifter-type glass..

as a previous reviewer said, i would keep drinking this all day if it wasn't so damn expensive. a good summer beer with an upbeat flavor full of crispness and life.. short on bitterness and sourness.

overall, a great runner-up beer from a brewery known best for their stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2005 14:26:38 | More by goodbyeohio