La Bête Des Vosges
Brasserie Artisanale des Vosges

La Bête Des VosgesLa Bête Des Vosges
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From:
Brasserie Artisanale des Vosges
 
France
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
ABV:
8%
Score:
78
Avg:
3.29 | pDev: 18.24%
Reviews:
30
Ratings:
35
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 24, 2018
Added:
Aug 20, 2003
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
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Ratings by DogFood11:
Photo of DogFood11
Reviewed by DogFood11 from California

2.34/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Ruddy copper color that is hazy w/ yeast particles and little to no carbonation. Head has little size or retention.

Some lighter fruits in the beginning. Fruit presence is rather lackluster and soft. Caramel towards the backend is not rich but rather soft as well. Bakers chocolate although subtle give this a quick dry job but it ends lingering. Candied as it warmed.

Notes: Whoaa back up the plane Air France this needs some work. The characteristics for the most part were there but completely off balance and unrefined. This recipe needs some work.
Aug 16, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.31 by AAG from New York

Mar 24, 2018
Photo of Zet
Reviewed by Zet from Netherlands

3.55/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Amber colour with a decent head of foam. Lovely smell of fresh grassy meadows: hopped in a good way i guess. Taste is not so special though: grass again and some fruits (peach?) in the background, but pilsner malts are quite dominating in the taste. Perhaps a longer maturation might do this beer some good, because esters seem to be in low supply. It is quite refreshing though, which is enhanced by the grassy smell, so this would make a good springtime terrace beer, if the abv doesn't scare you.
Nov 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.73 by InfernoBoss from California

Sep 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by Satyr179 from Sweden

Mar 09, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by Impalafrank from Ohio

Feb 21, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by mwar from Kentucky

Dec 02, 2012
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.79/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Deep amber/copper in color with a toffee sweetness. Head is minimal, aroma is sweet, raisins, brown sugar and caramel. Taste is same, toffee, caramel and touch of spice. Smooth and oily, this is an easy drinker.
May 31, 2012
Photo of flagmantho
Reviewed by flagmantho from Washington

2.81/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured from 330mL bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: rich brown-amber hue with very little effervescence and some yeasty floaties, but not too many. Head is a thick finger of frothy ivory foam.

Smell: interesting floral nose; very soapy like floral gum candies. Sweet, but not much else going on. Not my favorite, but not repulsing in any way.

Taste: the same as the aroma in just about every way. Some malt backs up the floral taste, but the overall effect is quite cloying. I'm not a fan.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a decent carbonation factor. Not too bad.

Overall: this beer has its ups and its downs. If you like this kind of floral flavor, it may work for you. It doesn't work for me.
Nov 18, 2011
Photo of RonaldTheriot
Reviewed by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana

3.1/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
La Bete Des Vosges has almost no head, just a thin, off-white film. The appearance is a dark, murky orange, with lots of brown solids floating about. Some bubbles are streaming up, but no lacing is left behind. There is coffee-like sediment left at the bottom of the glass. The aroma is of over-ripe fruit, like prunes. It also tastes like prune juice more than beer, and is closer to brandy or wine than beer, as far as flavor goes. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy, and it’s a gamy liquid. The finish is not unlike fruit juice, but there is a barley presence in the aftertaste. Well, this is an unusual beer, to say the least. However, I did slowly sip it, and enjoyed it more as it went. I say it’s worth a try, if you can stomach it.

RJT
Jun 29, 2011
Photo of GRG1313
Reviewed by GRG1313 from California

1.74/5  rDev -47.1%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
Amber ale; Light brown; no head.

Smells like very lightly carbonated lightly sweetened carmel water.

No body in the mouth and light sweet simple flavor. Faint burnt toast flavor.

A sweet lightly carmel finish that is not appealing. Almost not drinkable and virtually no appeal whatsoever.
Sep 25, 2010
Photo of champ103
Reviewed by champ103 from Texas

2.72/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A: Pours a murky and unattractive brownish/orange. A very small bubbly white head forms with pour retention. No lace.
S: Dark fruits of cherries and bananas. Caramel malt and yeast. Simple but enjoyable.
T: Pale and sweet malts. Light/thin banana flavor. Yeast and diacetyl. Blah.
M/D: A medium body that is way under carbonated. Really thin and watery. Not hard to drink. Not much alcohol, but just not very interesting.

Just blah. Nothing that is really good, and nothing that is really bad. Huh hum in every way. Not something I would recommend.
May 29, 2010
Photo of TheSarge
Reviewed by TheSarge from Virginia

3.68/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Got a bottle of this while touring Verdun, France.

This brew is a gusher, and produces about three fingers of light khaki colored cranium. The body is mildly hazy, and is copper in color.

The aroma is fruity in the way of fig and other dried dark fruits, and has hints of vanilla and cherry.

The taste has a zing of cherry and caramel, with a fig finish.

Overall a decent beer with complexity. A slick mouth feel that finishes with a warmth from the ethyl.
Feb 27, 2010
Photo of thierrynantes
Reviewed by thierrynantes from France

3.12/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Beer bottle (33cl.), tasted in 2006.

Appearance : amber/brown color (slightly veiled), with tan foam head (not persistent).
Smell : alcohol, caramel, honey.
Taste and mouthfeel : sweet and malty, bitterness.
Drinkabiity : an average beer in the style Belgian strong ale.
Nov 23, 2008
Photo of djeucalyptus
Reviewed by djeucalyptus from Oregon

3.49/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
poured from a 330ml labeled as an "amber ale" into a goblet. Only "foam" was comprised of bubbles created by agitation from a vigorous pour. Quickly popped into a subtle ring with a bit of haze. Earthy greenish amber in color, similar to apple cider... or more apple cider vinegar. A bit of haze from the yeast poured in. Just a touch of spots of lacing down the glass. Funky overall.

aroma is somewhere between a strong american amber, a scotch ale, and a dopplebock with some malt sweetness, malt breadiness, and a definite golden fruit sweetness on the nose. Apricots, figs, golden raisins, pears and banana aroma fill out the malt profile. Hints of fermenting fruit with a touch of sour and belgian-esque funk mixing in there.

taste is slightly unexpected given the aroma. Smells mostly like a strong, malty and sweet amber, but the taste is significantly odd. The caramel malt and candi sugar is definitely there, but there's a subtle yet definite belgian yeastiness. Caramel sweetness keeps the yeast at bay, and the fruit notes re-emerge hearkening apple fritters and scones with fig jam. A finish with a touch of bitterness, a touch of yeast, and a touch of warming alcohol.

Fairly thick body with a surprising amount of carbonation given the lack of foam and head. Still relatively low carbonation with some sugary slickness that allows the sweetness to linger with the alcohol warming burn. Not a bad one for sipping.

Funky is the first thing that comes to mind overall. Both in a good and bad way. The yeastiness adds an interesting note to an otherwise fairly neutral beer. Nothing way out of the ordinary in any area, but its all just a touch funky and different. A solid and warming beer for sipping, although I can't really say what this one has over other beers (of multiple styles). maybe worth a try?
Nov 12, 2008
Photo of kinger
Reviewed by kinger from Ohio

3.55/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
O-la-la this is a dandy. Murky orange-brown pour, nice creamy white film sits atop the beer and leaves spotty lacing. Thick malt nose with a prominant sour fruitiness, I'm thinking fermented peaches, apricots, and a little banana. Mouthfeel is also thick and creamy with a very noticeable alcohol bite that finishes with a smooth burn. Sour malt flavors complimented by a strong sweet alcohol kick. The fruits are still there, I keep thinking of this as being "Harry Buffalo-ish" for beer. Really warming and satisfying, it took me quite some sippin' time to finish this treat.
Nov 12, 2008
Photo of Zorro
Reviewed by Zorro from California

3.2/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Clear amber colored ale with basically no head formation.

Smell is sweet and a mix of sweet tea and faint fruity apple. Slight toffee candy scent.

The taste starts out sweet and quite malty close in flavor to a Scotch Ale than anything else.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Average drinkability is being generous here. Tastes like it needs more time in the fermenter to finish.
Oct 24, 2008
Photo of blakesell
Reviewed by blakesell from Ohio

3.27/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the 12oz bottle into a brandy snifter.

Appearance- Beer pours a darkened gold with foam lacing the sides. Lacing rings the sides of the glass, no head outside of that. Beer looks fairly flat.

Smell- Rich and malty sweet with alcoholic phenols. A hint of sweet fruits like raspberry. Malts dominate. A bit wortlike in the scent.

Taste- Malty and lightly oxidized with a bit of paper on the tongue. Malted sweetness coats the mouth. Some hops but hardly noticable, noble hops. The beer claims to be an amber? I suppose.

Mouthfeel- Creamy, lightly carbonated, slightly warming, not overly warming. Medium bodied.

Drinkability- For the price, I would not repeat. But not a bad beer overall.
Apr 24, 2008
Photo of JBogan
Reviewed by JBogan from California

2.32/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Poured a cloudy apple juice color. Only a very thin film for a head, which left a tiny amount of lacing.

Smelled of alcohol, butter, maybe a bit of apple.

Again, almost a buttery taste with some alcohol present as well. Also some outdated bread.

Mouthfeel was probably the best thing about this beer. Not great but acceptable. Slightly on the heavy and grainy side with very little carbonation.

Not a real drinkable beer, at least to my taste. I didn't notice anything outstanding about it, in fact in most respects it was below average. This is the last time I will be putting this beer to my lips.
Dec 04, 2007
Photo of Metalmonk
Reviewed by Metalmonk from North Carolina

3.96/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Had my first bottle of this at Portland's great Concordia Ale House; had to take one home with me. This review is from the bottle that made the cross-country journey back home.

Pours out the color of unfiltered apple cider, with a thin ring of dishsoap attempting to be a head. Love the color, but that poor head looks like a bad/expired beer to me.

If the aroma is anything to go by, there's plenty of life in this beer. It's basement-musty in overall vibe, with elements of baked apple, white pepper, Belgian candi sugar, some alcohol heat, mustard and funked yeast. Right up my alley.

Flavor remarkably brings in all the aroma hints at, with bread dough and raw yeast emerging prominently after several long sips. Nice smooth caramel riding out in the finish, plus donuts. Donuts? Yep. Not even a specific kind of donut, just donuts. Check it out and see if I'm nuts or what.

Mouthfeel seems a little thin, even worn-out, with carbonation desperately trying to the push through the thin, skim-milkish body.

Really good, and plenty of depth, but the variety of flavors never totally cohere. I remember the bottle at CAH being livelier...I suppose this might have some age on it, judging by the looks and mouthfeel, but luckily the flavors and aroma are intact. It's good enough that I'd easily drink it again.
Oct 11, 2007
La Bête Des Vosges from Brasserie Artisanale des Vosges
Beer rating: 78 out of 100 with 35 ratings