Diabhal
Rabbit's Foot Meadery

DiabhalDiabhal
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From:
Rabbit's Foot Meadery
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
ABV:
8.2%
Score:
78
Avg:
3.29 | pDev: 16.11%
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
39
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 04, 2016
Added:
Dec 18, 2008
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  7
Fermented with traditional Belgian barley, yeast and candi sugar + generous amount of the finest honey.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.5 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Nov 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Alpha309 from California

Dec 05, 2014
 
Rated: 2.6 by EddieB from California

Sep 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by SoCaliC8 from Idaho

Jan 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by jaydoc from Kansas

Dec 29, 2013
 
Rated: 2.25 by bobosein from Michigan

Dec 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by trocketsauced from New York

Nov 29, 2013
Photo of TruePerception
Reviewed by TruePerception from California

3.44/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
(Previous review, transferred from beer journal)

Red Branch Diabhal: Belgian-style braggot, no head;

Appearance: cross between liquid honey and apple juice;

Smell: buckwheat honey, slight green tea;

Taste/Mouthfeel: faint hoppy bitterness, slight yellow apple, faint honey, very light carbonation;

Pretty good.

Poured into a pint glass.
Sep 01, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Chugbot from California

May 06, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by sharkdigital from California

Apr 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by halo913 from Connecticut

Feb 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by bigbankhank from California

Jan 11, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by t0rin0 from California

Dec 16, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by jreveles from California

Nov 07, 2012
Photo of SHODriver
Reviewed by SHODriver from North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: pours a deep amber into a duvel tulip with a monsterous and dense slightly off white head with excellent retention
S: smells sweet with plenty of fruity esters, a little yeasty, some honey aroma, and a bit of bready malt
T: sharp up front with some fruity ester flavor from the yeast, some apple skin, strong honey flavor at times, candi sugar, and a bit of alcohol. swallow brings more honey sweetness, another dash of fruitiness, and a slight bitterness. not a lot of malt in the flavor
M: high and prickly carbonation over a medium mouthfeel. slightly astringent finish
O: I can't get a feel for this beer. it has good complexity, an interesting flavor profile and a nice twist on the style. Carbonation is too high and the alcohol isn't very well masked. It doesn't taste bad either but the alcohol is far too apparent. It's tasty and it interests me but it isn't extraordinary.
Sep 27, 2012
Photo of magictacosinus
Reviewed by magictacosinus from California

3.48/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Here's an interesting pick I found the other day. Apparently a beer made by a company known for its mead. I've had honey-infused beer a long time ago, but I thought another chance should be on its way. Poured from a 16oz bottle into a chalice.

Pours a strong amber color with very little carbonation overall. Didn't expect a head at all, to be honest, what with the high ABV and honey, but there was a little ring that persisted for quite some time. This looks a lot like your average DIPA, and its syrupy, dense appearance would no doubt make it readily disguised.

The aroma has some honey, but not as much as I expected. There's a brown sugar/caramel infused smell no doubt influenced by the malts, but there is a little bit of spiciness and sweetness that manages to creep its way through. I expected the honey to be more overblown here, but there isn't much going on other than the malt character, and perhaps the boozy character. Disappointing.

The flavor and feel, on the other hand, to make up for whatever seems to have gone lost in the aroma. While the initial flavor is malty, caramel-y, and slightly boozy as the aroma was, there's a honey flavor that manages to finally creep up in a rather playful way. First it tastes like a strong ale low on hops, and then, eureka! it fills the mouth with a warm, pleasant taste of honey that's as fresh as you'd like it. While the feel is quite astringent towards the finish, it's smooth overall and easy to swallow. It *does* seem a bit unbalanced overall, and I think the high alcohol is the culprit in this situation.

Was a worth a try for experimentation, but at $5.99 a bottle, I don't think I'll be revisiting this any time soon. The flavor is definitely the highlight of this beer, as I enjoy the honey cascade, but I might try their less stronger, seemingly more balanced "bière de miel" when I want to pick up another honey ale. Or, even better, try their meads, as they seem to know perfectly well what to do with honey!
Aug 31, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Jhatwig from California

Apr 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by KimenTshom from California

Mar 27, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by KidRagnarok from California

Jan 08, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by caseyoharaa from California

Dec 03, 2011
Diabhal from Rabbit's Foot Meadery
Beer rating: 78 out of 100 with 39 ratings