Caracole Ambrée - Brasserie Caracole

guinnessman

Massachusetts

2.05/5  rDev -48%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I was disappointed with this one. Poured with absolutely no head, with a reddish orange color with a musty smell. Tasted like bubble gum, and a hint of raspberries on the tail end. With almost no carbonation and a thick coating mouthfeel that I was not pleased with.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2005 20:06:26 | More by guinnessman

SkeeterHawk

Texas

2.08/5  rDev -47.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Appearance: Pours a cloudy orangish color with a whole lot of dark floaties like the beer has some serious age on it. There was about a quarter inch head when poured aggressively that only retained for a minute or less. I don't notice any bubbles rising.

Aroma: Very mild aroma. There is a little bit of sweetness and a few fruity esters noticeable at first. There is a bit of a sherry note that I imagine is from the alcohol.

Taste: There is some definite cardboard working in the flavor of this beer. Something happened to it...or it is just really old. Other than this the beer is a bit syrupy on the palate with no carbonation. The finish is slightly sweet, but somehow still manages to be astringent.

Opinion: Well, obviously I got a stinker with this one. I don't know if this is just a bad bottle or what, but I will inspect the rest of the four-pack for the floaties that were so plentiful in this beer...maybe that will be an indication of the condition of the brew. There is no date code on the bottle. As with any beer that presents itself in a bad light like this, I would like to try it again when a fresher example presents itself.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2005 02:36:25 | More by SkeeterHawk

stcules

Italy

2.63/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

The bottle we sample was 8.0% ABV, and not 7.2%.

Amber colour, abundanty foam, with some bubbles a little too big.
Smell of yeast, herbaceous, dry grass. Quite fresh, with some flowers, honey and spices.
At the taste: yeast, tea leaves. Quite bitter, and spicy (pepper). Maybe a little too spicy.
The spices are too present, and it is difficult to feel anything else in the taste.
Medium-light body.
A little unbalanced.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2003 17:57:39 | More by stcules

jujubeast6000

Texas

2.73/5  rDev -30.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed 7/28/2006 (bottle):

Pours a golden brownish colored body, with a big head that is white and Fluffy, with good lacing, and is long lasting. Has a flowery alcoholy aroma, strong, with some fruit. A light nutty taste, watery. Not much else to say, a light Belgian style ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2009 03:47:34 | More by jujubeast6000

MaineBirdMan

Maine

3.2/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Very interesting label on the bottle.
11.2 oz bottle.
poured with inch head. Made the mistake of pouring into a pint glass. Lost some of the aroma.
Was a little cloudy. Burnt amber (more towards the amber side).
Some fruit on the nose
Very sweet tasting. Some hops but not too much.
Nice on the palate. Not too much carbonation.
Very easy to drink. I was surprised at the alcohol content because I couldn't really notice any. But it is 7.5% so watch out when they keep going down.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2009 12:04:19 | More by MaineBirdMan

ScottUCF84

Florida

3.28/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

11.2 fl oz bottle into pint glass.

A-Dark amber, transparent, with a thick white head.

S- Dried apricots was the first thing that came to mind.... maybe a little spice, malt.

T-Sweet citrus, malt. Maybe a bit of raisin or prunes. The alcohol was masked very well, even as it warmed a bit.

M-Pretty smooth, I expected it to be over-tingly from the carbonation.

D-Not my cup of tea, but if it was on tap at a bar I'd have one or two.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2008 21:12:03 | More by ScottUCF84

hwwty4

Missouri

3.28/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Best by 12/08.

Poured a corked and caged 750ml into my New Belgium globe. I bought this bottle in a 99 cent old beer sale at one of my local beer stores. I figured this had a chance of being tasty even after 4 years past its best by date. This beer pours a really pretty burnt tangerine with a decent 3 inch fluffy white head that leaves zero lacing whatsoever. The head quickly goes away. Zero retention. The aroma is interesting. Big notes of caramel and burnt sugar. Underneath is just a hint of green apple. Nice notes of toasted bread. The flavor is up front constitutes much of the nose. Dominated by burnt sugar and caramel. Notes of nutty bread and dark fruits. Quite a bit of date and fig for the style of beer. A whole lot of burnt sugar. The mouthfeel is light with a prickly carbonation. Overall, this is a pretty good beer. Maybe a bit past its prime but tasty none the less.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 01:00:58 | More by hwwty4

gmcfarre

Colorado

3.3/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into the proper glassware - a Caracole tulip!

A - Pours a nice cloudy orange-ish amber color with a massive frothy off white head. Head hangs out for a good while, although lacing is surprisingly minimal.

S - Pleasant, sweet scent with strong Belgian yeast-inspired spices. Cloves certainly come to mind. Touch of sweet fruit, such as peach, orange and perhaps plum. Smell seems kindof faint, however.

T & M - Starts off sweet on the palate with a good dose of carbonation. Medium body floods the mouth but hits you with a strange acidity that is somewhat unpleasant. Fruits get lost in the mix, but spices contribute strongly to the acidity. Finish is slightly drying, but its seems my mouth is still ringing from the acidity of this brew.

D - Not my favorite Belgian Strong Pale Ale. A bit aggressive with flavor profiles that don't really make me think of the style. Expect something a bit darker than many of the style, with a bit more spice than fruit flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2007 00:38:36 | More by gmcfarre

bort11

Missouri

3.3/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip. Tall pillowy meringue head. Very active carbonation. Color is a hazy apricot orange.
Smell is sweet with the candy sugar and has a musty yeast aroma. Taste is like a peach, spiced a little bit of black pepper, coriander, and some kind of mint.
Mouthfeel is light with a brisk carbonation. The alcohol is slightly noticeable in the finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2007 04:40:23 | More by bort11

thierrynantes

France

3.35/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Beer bottle (33cl), tasted in 2002.
Appearance: amber colour, foam compact light well
Smell: aromas of hops
Taste and mouthfeel: slightly spicy in the mouth, roasting and bitterness balanced, a few hints of liquorice
Drinkability: a good beer in the style strong Belgian pale ale

Review added 11-25-2007, translated from french 2-1-2008.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 08:09:01 | More by thierrynantes

Filosoof

Netherlands

3.38/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Being a great fan of Saxo and Troublette, I was glad to open this bottle. This gladness disappeared very quickly. And the disappointment was so big that I didn't finish my glass. You will understand what happened to the bottle.

Looks very good. Smell is that of a strong amber, with sweet sugary tones. The taste is that of a sweet amber, maybe king of ambers. But as amber is not my style, this could not turn me over.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 19:43:16 | More by Filosoof

nomad

Kansas

3.43/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours out a deep red, quite hazy, but with a strong finger of head on top. Just the right amount of carbonation to make the murky dark amber crested through out.

Smell is bready fruits, more cherry like than anything, with a sense of phenols dying away. Time brought a spicy overlay with odd fruity scents on occasion. (odd as in hard to describe but interesting). The flavor follows suit with plenty of just-sweet caramel flavors over a full mouth of malt and yeast borne fruitiness buried underneath. Unfortunately the alcohol hums hard and combines with a bare acidity to create a not-so-fun effect on the stomach. Spicy finish of light peppery, alcohol, and the vestiges of hops.

A nice Belgian. Wouldn't pick it up again unless there was nothing better to choose from.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2005 23:54:19 | More by nomad

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Caracole

Appearance- dark amber brown with a huge thick head. Nice lacing down the glass.
Smell- sweet and fruity. Grape, spices (pepper, vanilla) Malt, & dirty earty hops.
Taste- bubbly and light. Alcohol is present in the taste. Mild raisin flavor with hints of caramel malt and earthy/ woodsy hops.
Mouthfeel- carbonated but light. Alcohol hits you early but a nice warming finish.

Overall- not too shabby. Sat around casually sipping this one while talking with the family. Won't knock your socks off but it was mildly good.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2006 13:15:05 | More by NJpadreFan

PirateUlf73

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Poured out of a 750 ml bottle into a tulip glass. Very interesting artwork on the label; props to them for some originality.

A: Light amber in color and clear. White head dissipated rather quickly and did not lace at all.

S: Not much on the nose. A little bit of malt and some faint alcohol as well, which was a tad disappointing, though not entirely unexpected. Yeast became more prominent as the brew warmed up.

T: Malty with hints of fruits (pears came to mind immediately). Any alcohol taste was well hidden (thank goodness). Very faint spice notes as well, cinnamon if I had to guess. I also detected some sweet sugar/candy notes, bordering on too much, but never crossing the line.

M: Light to medium body. Nicely carbonated which helps to push things around.

D: Average. Carbonation helps and it finishes reasonably clean. I was hoping it would go down a bit smoother though...

I bought this on a whim and I'm glad I did, if for no other reason than it was a relatively uncomplicated beer. This allowed me to pick apart its characteristics with ease. This is definitely not a stand-alone beer, but may pair well with a hearty meat dish. Worth a try, but I doubt I'll buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 09:09:34 | More by PirateUlf73

GuinnessSmurf

Missouri

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a lager orange color. The smell is really nice...a blend of sweet/fruity (apricot, grapes) and subtle peppery spices.

Taste is heavy on malts - more than I expected. There is a citrus/fermented fruit quality that gives it a tart bite. It is very smooth and full in the mouth.

Overall, I'd say this an excellent beer to drink with a salad or some light cheeses. Its pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2005 16:52:50 | More by GuinnessSmurf

kbub6f

New York

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A very small, dense, off-white head. Strange. The beer is hazy, tea-colored (orangey/brown). Tangy citrus and spice in the nose almost cover the alcohol. Tangy, sourish front. The middle is darkly malty... almost a bitter chocolate note. Pepper too. The beer finishes fruity, dry and sour. Alcohol and notable hops. This isn't bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2003 00:57:00 | More by kbub6f

snaotheus

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

750ml bottle into a chalice

Pours a pleasant slightly cloudy amber color, small quickly-fading head and no appreciable lacing. Smells slightly sour and fruity.

Taste is a strange mixture of sour and sweet. Something tastes a little dusty in it, too.

Mouthfeel is light and slightly watery. The taste is sweet enough that I probably wouldn't want to drink a whole lot of it, but if you're into it, then go for it.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2009 00:55:34 | More by snaotheus

RuudJH

Netherlands

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Funny label on this bottle, 33 cl.

Colour reddish brown, clear with a good head, modest carbonation.
Smell is mollasses, caramel, dark fruits, malts and yeast.
Taste is similar, with a bittersweetness, and a spicyness.
Finish is sharp alcohol, unfortunately.

This beer is ok, but in this category (more dark than pale), there are so many better examples, I'm sure you'll be able to pick something superior to this, in a bar.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2010 13:15:00 | More by RuudJH

bark

Sweden

3.55/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

7.5 % ABV according to label.

The beer makes a loud pop when I open the bottle. The beer is pale amber (20 EBC), the liquid is clear. The finger thick compact head is off-white. No lacing occurs.

The smell is phenolic with distinct notes of Belgian yeast. Dried exotic fruits, some bananas and red berries. Lots of sweet candy-like notes, but no toffee (diacetyl). Some bitter hints in the background. Very clean notes.

The taste is less sweet than the smell, it is almost semi-dry. Mixed exotic fruits, red berries, blac currant, some yeast and hints of fruit candy. The aftertaste got some light clean bitterness, green vegetables, minerals and some leather and alcohol in the finish.

The carbonation is very strong, but at the same time very smooth. The liquid is mid-smooth.

A very clean and balanced Belgian amber. Not the most complex one, though. Still it is quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 20:48:26 | More by bark

reeder

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

wonderful bubbly head. Beautiful rich amber color. slightly hazy.

Smells of unique fruits. Pears and apples. A bit of belgian funkiness.

Really smooth. Flavors are less distinct than I expected. Yet, there nonetheless and quite pleasant. A slightly underripe apple stands out. The thing that stands out the most is the mouthfeel. Super bubbly. Almost a champagne type feel. Will have to continue drinking to evaluate the effect of the feel on drinkability.

Yep, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2008 06:00:16 | More by reeder

rarbring

Sweden

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thee beer is hazy light amber, an off-white even head, little lacing, some curtains.

The smell is yeasty, Belgian yeasty, spices, cardamom, some sweet sugar nuances.

Starting sweet, bread and syrup, hard bread, spicy bitter notes.

Little carbonation, slightly coarse with a big body, a long dry finish.

A rather standard Belgian strong, a bit on the coarse side.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 20:31:59 | More by rarbring

BeerAngel

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a burnt sienna that is slightly hazed with a nice off-white head. Again from this brewery, it has a flurry of bubbles rushing to the top as if releasing mad bees. This beer has a slightly sweet fruit and buttered biscuit malt aroma with nothing else poking through. The taste is that of lightly sweetened raisons, a light carb bite, and a warm yeasty alcohol on the tail. This is a medium bodied brew that finishes with a hint of sweetness. It is nice, but no prize winner here. Op uw gezonheid!

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2004 03:41:00 | More by BeerAngel

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Caracole Ambree

· Appearance: Gold to orange color, thing but substantial head at the pour, leaves faint lacing through the finish. Substantial yeast sediment remains in bottle
· Aroma: Spice & citrus, coriander, and some alcohol presence with obvious yeast.
· Taste: Citrus, perhaps vanilla. Yeast. Some peppery flavor and similar to a barleywine. I imagine the fruitiness to resemble the color (i.e. peach, orange, etc.)
· Mouthfeel: Substantial carbonation, very crisp and smooth.
· Drinkability: Good overall beer, could enjoy more than one.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2007 04:24:19 | More by CHADMC3

Drew966

Florida

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Caracole Amber pours an orange color with a white head from a brown 11.2 ounce bottle. The aroma is a bit like fruit. There is a nice grain flavor, but that's in the background, a touch of citrus like fruit is more noticeable - but this beer isn't particularly sweet. A touch of clove and a bit of pepper perhaps from the alcohol at the end.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2007 23:51:18 | More by Drew966

BMoney575

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sampled on 10-25-07

Pours a bright brown/amber with lots of little tiny yeast floaters. A white head billows during the pour, and then settles to a thin layer.

Smell is very Belgian hops, fruity with notes of apples and grape. A subtle caramel is in there too. Aroma reminds me of a dry wine, with lots of complexity and a hint of alcohol.

Taste is more subdued than the smell might lead you to believe. Surprisingly bitter, and without the fruit complexity that I expected. The finish is very dry with a boozy kick. Not bad, just a bit one-dimensional.

Mouthfeel is slick and creamy, but bites back in the end with the bitter and alcohol.

Drinkability is good, the flavors are nicely balanced. The ABV will knock you on your ass, though.

Overall, it says "Belgian Amber Ale" on the label, and that's exactly what it is. And, like an amber ale, it fits right in the meaty part of the curve.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2007 23:51:02 | More by BMoney575