Spring Fever Belgian Style Grand Cru Ale - Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company & Taproom

jdense

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle from West Richland Beer and Wine, shared with beer compadre 7.19.11, poured into wine tumblers.

One finger broken, uneven white head, fairly quick dissipation, minimal lacing over golden amber clear body small streams of rising carbonation. De Coriander Bomb, huge peppery esters, very little orange peel, etc for balance, some caramel and pilsener malts add a bit of complexity. Taste is even more coriander-centric than the nose, a bit of sweetish malt but not the most balanced example of the style and I had a hard time perceiving any hops, perhaps a bit of floral notes, due to overwhelming coriander character. Mouthfeel is a bit on the light side of medium, very dry finish. An interesting and fairly unique take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 23:34:45 | More by jdense

RedDiamond

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Grand Crus can often be challenging to appreciate, especially since the style is so open to interpretation. Snoqualmie faces this challenge with a spring seasonal whose bright array of Belgian spice flavor is enhanced by coriander. The beer is orange-amber with diminished carbonation and no lace. The aroma is timid but amiable in the tradition of Belgian exotica.

Spring Fever makes ample use of Czech Saaz for spice. But its lack of peppery bite equates with an ease of appreciation.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2009 03:07:23 | More by RedDiamond

SaucyA

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Into an Urthel glass, pours a slightly dark orange with a 1 finger off white head. Carbonation looks quite abundant. Lacing present.

S - Smell is of oranges and orange peel mostly. Luckily, I really like oranges. Reminds me a bit of Oberon, frankly. Coriander is abundant... and if I take a GIANT breath, I can find a yeasty undertone that's also quite fruity.

T - Super sweet with a nice, trying-so-hard-to-be tart finish. Lots of orange and blood orange. Borderline cloying, but manageable. Slight heat in the tummy but alcohol not noted otherwise. Could use a slight tweaking, but not bad.

M - Great, creamy mouthfeel, with reasonably sparkly carbonation.

D - Sweetness really blows an otherwise great beer. I'll enjoy both of my bombers of this, but in my opinion, Spring Fever could use a little work.

Notes: I'd like to taste this with spontaneously fermenting yeast, less sweetness, and/or with a more interesting hop profile. The malting could really use some work, just by making it play more of a part in the taste.

I actually enjoyed this brew, but there is some real potential with this that the brewery isn't taking advantage of.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2008 19:14:37 | More by SaucyA

Bfarr

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My thoughts on this are slightly skewed because this beer tasted almost exactly like another belgian I've had before (I can't remember the name) though the Snoqualmie is not as well balanced. Good for the value but an almost salty finish became more pronounced as I finished it. A fine bouquet and light enough that even my wife liked it! The coriander definitely gives this a nice herbal taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2010 23:53:45 | More by Bfarr

beertunes

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into tulip. Poured more orange than pale, the beer was still a pleasing color. It had a thick, rocky off-white head that had great retention and lacing.

The aroma was very subdued, fruit and yeast, with a bit of spice at the back. The flavors followed just more present and focused. The full, creamy body was very pleasant across the tongue. Drinkability was very good, a full 22 slid down easily. This beer is one we look forward to every year, another seasonal visitor we look forward to every year.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 05:51:04 | More by beertunes

jdklks

Nevada

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice golden amber body with an off white head. The nose is mostly belgian yeast with some spices and citrus fruits thrown in. Pretty good.

The flavor isn't bad at all. Very spicy in the finish and aftertaste which gives off a somewhat unpleasant bitterness, though it dissolves into a sweet candy-like flavor. Up front and through the middle is all belgian yeastiness and a hint of fruit (some orange, raspberry, etc.). A decent beer.

The mouthfeel is decently think, but its undercarbonated, and the drinkability is limited to "I definitely only want this one bottle."

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 05:16:41 | More by jdklks

jreitman

California

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

Nice orange color. Good, thick head. Hops, spices and tropical fruit in the nose. Moderate-high bitterness in the flavor. Spice flavors very dominant (in theory due to the coriander, but I don't know that I have ever actually eaten coriander on it's own :) ) and blend nicely with the hops. Overall, a very interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2002 13:30:26 | More by jreitman

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a Pint glass.

A - Pours a clear, medium oragne with a yellow-tan one finger head. Good retention and some lacing.

S - Belgian yeast and carmel malt dominate, with some old oranges in the mix.

T - Belgian, so black pepper and lemons.

D - Great carbonation and an average body for the style.

O - Belgian style for sure. Light for the season with a Belgian influence.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 05:22:29 | More by HuskyinPDX

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.43/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a one finger cream head that fades slowly leaving traces of lace. Almost cloudy amber color. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Piney/spicey nose. Starts balanced with a spicey flavor, hints of bitterness at finish. Gift - 22oz bottle from the brewery in Snoqualmie, Wa.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2006 22:37:13 | More by jdhilt

Bookseeb

Washington

3.43/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is a darkened amber with fair head and scattered lace. Smell of light spice and coriander with the malt. Taste has the same spice and coriander with citrus and a good malt backbone balanced nicely with the hops and alchohol being present in the back. Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. Nothing complex, but a very good ale nonetheless

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 01:57:03 | More by Bookseeb

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

A: Poured an off orange color with a small white head head and good carbonatioon.

S: Nose is Belgian yeast, spice, coriander.

T: Taste is belgian yeast, citrus, coriander, spice.

M: Medium bodied, to effervescent

D: Drinkability was ok, there was a bit much NO2 leaving me gassy and with lots of bubbles and off mouthfeel. Good to drink but not of the best of the Snoqualimie offerings.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2010 00:19:11 | More by barleywinefiend

ccrida

Oregon

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a shaker pint at the Dog & Pony, Spring fever grand cru is a hazy pale orange with a thin off-white head that leaves light, scattered lace.

Smell is sugary malt and lemony coriander, a light sourness, perhaps wheat.

Taste is super spicy, whoa. Not a fan of such overtly spicy beers, this one has huge coriander, there's some apricot notes as well that remind me a bit of English ale yeast actually. It's sweet for sure, some honey notes, and while I got used to the spice, I never loved it.

Mouthfeel is has a very creamy carbonation, but with a sharp edge from spices, accentuated by dryness of the alcohol. Medium heavy body, not as fully attenuated as the style often is.

Drinkability is avg...well, probably less so for me, man was it spicy. But there were some enjoyable moments, and at least the ABV was in check. More carbonation might have helped with the under-attenuation...

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2009 23:41:22 | More by ccrida

RJLarse

Washington

2.83/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company Tap Room. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a rich copper/gold color and is clear with foamy eggshell white head.

Smell (is sweet, with soft fruit and dark sugar aromas.

Tastes like well baked apples. Sugar and fruit flavors dominate, not much malt, very little bitterness. A bit of a warm liquor flavor on the finish.

Mouthfeel is very full-bodied and a bit cloying.

I'm not much on the style, but it' not a real drinkable sessionable beer. The flavors a little strong and overpowering.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2008 04:45:42 | More by RJLarse

waldowin

Washington

2.2/5  rDev -42.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours a crystal clear gold with a hint of red. A dense white head forms quickly, and refuses to leave. Promising!

Smells *very* strongly of cloves and oranges. Interesting, but almost off-putting.

Tastes very powerfully of cloves, much too powerfully, it over-rides most of the other flavors.

Mouthfeel is thin but smooth, and heavily carbonated.

Unfortunately, this was a drain pour, which is too bad. This is normally one of my favorite styles.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2006 07:11:52 | More by waldowin