-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Abby Normal
Valkyrie Brewing
- From:
- Valkyrie Brewing
- Wisconsin, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Ale
- ABV:
- 7.55%
- Score:
- 77
- Avg:
- 3.24 | pDev: 21.6%
- Reviews:
- 22
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 25, 2015
- Added:
- Mar 03, 2003
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mychalg9:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Lemke10 from Wisconsin
3.08/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.08/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This pours a dark, medium brown color with a slight head. The aroma is sweet with caramel malts, molasses, and sugars. The taste is sweet and smooth which is very uncharacteristic of an Abbey Tripel as it drinks and tastes more like a thin stout. This very unusual taste will probably turn you off if you are Tripel drinker.
Dec 29, 2013Reviewed by Callisto from Utah
1.3/5 rDev -59.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
1.3/5 rDev -59.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
This is a horrible beer. It tastes like a mistake made by amateur home-brewers. I suspect that the fermentation was stuck either because not enough yeast or starter was used, or it was not oxygenated properly. It tastes like malt extract, not brewed beer, overly sweet and cloying with an off-putting apple cider flavor (probably from extract or sugars being added inappropriately). It has no real 'Abbey' character. It is undrinkable and I dumped it. I would recommend that the brewers taste some Abbey ales and other Belgian beers and do some brewing research as to how to produce this type of beer.
I want these brewers to survive though. They are near my stomping grounds.
Feb 06, 2010I want these brewers to survive though. They are near my stomping grounds.
Reviewed by Wisconsin from Wisconsin
3.13/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
3.13/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
12 ounce bottle from the brewery into a pint glass
A - Pours a dark brown body with a tan head that is about a half finger thick. The head fades to a lace after a couple of minutes. Carbonation though is visible only when held up to the light seems to be plentiful. Much darker than I was expecting but somewhat intriguing regardless.
S - Dark malts and grains with some sweet fruit notes, maybe apples. Faint spices are also present. Nothing that is mind blowing.
T - Initially the flavor is a strong blast of sour apples that is slightly sweet with some caramel and malt notes. Medium bodied with ample amount of carbonation.
M - As much as I like the incorporation of the apples, it doesn't seem to balance well enough with the malts and caramel. Its too strong up front and the other aspects are somewhat drowned out. Decent amount of carbonation.
D - Viking seems to be on the brink of greatness, but there is just something missing with some of the beers I have had. If they can improve the malt/caramel characteristics in this beer so it is better balanced with the sour apple taste I think they will have a solid beer. Until then, I can't see myself having too much of this.
Sep 10, 2009A - Pours a dark brown body with a tan head that is about a half finger thick. The head fades to a lace after a couple of minutes. Carbonation though is visible only when held up to the light seems to be plentiful. Much darker than I was expecting but somewhat intriguing regardless.
S - Dark malts and grains with some sweet fruit notes, maybe apples. Faint spices are also present. Nothing that is mind blowing.
T - Initially the flavor is a strong blast of sour apples that is slightly sweet with some caramel and malt notes. Medium bodied with ample amount of carbonation.
M - As much as I like the incorporation of the apples, it doesn't seem to balance well enough with the malts and caramel. Its too strong up front and the other aspects are somewhat drowned out. Decent amount of carbonation.
D - Viking seems to be on the brink of greatness, but there is just something missing with some of the beers I have had. If they can improve the malt/caramel characteristics in this beer so it is better balanced with the sour apple taste I think they will have a solid beer. Until then, I can't see myself having too much of this.
Reviewed by mrquartetman from Illinois
2.88/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.88/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This beer bills itself as a "Trippel Abby-style Ale" and says of it that the "Flavor is sweet toasted buttery malts, honey and some candi sugars. Also spicy with notes with green apples and molasses and a floral hop garnish."
A trippel it's not. It is more like a brown ale in appearance and, to an extent, in taste; but other than that, it does not at all act like a trippel OR a Belgian brown ale. It has very little aroma - slight malt - and pours almost entirely without a head. It does have a somewhat buttery taste and a certain sweetness, but candi sugars? Where are they? If there's a floral hop, it wilted.
Don't get me wrong. Forgetting its labeling, it's a rather nice beer of indeterminate variety and is decently drinkable. I had hoped for more.
Dec 19, 2008A trippel it's not. It is more like a brown ale in appearance and, to an extent, in taste; but other than that, it does not at all act like a trippel OR a Belgian brown ale. It has very little aroma - slight malt - and pours almost entirely without a head. It does have a somewhat buttery taste and a certain sweetness, but candi sugars? Where are they? If there's a floral hop, it wilted.
Don't get me wrong. Forgetting its labeling, it's a rather nice beer of indeterminate variety and is decently drinkable. I had hoped for more.
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa
2.6/5 rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
2.6/5 rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
"The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well."
--Joe Ancis
Black cherry with an infusion of brighter orange at the edges of the glass. The pale golden crown, only a single skinny finger after the pour, doesn't have an abundance of character. It isn't much in the lace department either. A short, thick collar of suds is about it.
Clearly, this isn't a 'Tripel' as it says on the label. The color is the first clue and the nose is the second. Abby Normal smells like a Belgain dark ale (to some extent), but isn't exactly jumping out of the glass. That might be due to a lack of aerosolization, which is due to a serious lack of carbonation. There's a meager dark maltiness, some dark fruit and a faint yeasty spiciness.
Not good. Not good at all. This VBC brew would get laughed out of any comparison to a real Belgian ale. The outlines of a decent beer are present, but they aren't filled in with anything of substance. Not enough malt, not enough flavor, not enough yeastiness and not enough bubbles. Any other questions?
Although the flavor profile doesn't deliver many off-flavors, it doesn't deliver many on-flavors either. I can appreciate well toasted grain, caramel extract, an undercurrent of green apples, a certain nuttiness and a stale spiciness that tastes like it's coming from a bastardized Belgian yeast strain that graduated at the bottom of its class.
The mouthfeel is a little bit light and a lotta bit underbubbled. I can't emphasize too much how improperly carbonated beer can't possibly make a good impression, no matter how delicious it might be otherwise. This one isn't 'delicious otherwise', although the bubble shortage doesn't help.
I haven't had enough Viking beer to know if there is a huge amount of batch-to-batch variation or if some of their offerings are simply less than good on a regular basis. If this bottle is at all representative, Abby Abnormal is not a beer that I have any desire to drink again.
May 18, 2008--Joe Ancis
Black cherry with an infusion of brighter orange at the edges of the glass. The pale golden crown, only a single skinny finger after the pour, doesn't have an abundance of character. It isn't much in the lace department either. A short, thick collar of suds is about it.
Clearly, this isn't a 'Tripel' as it says on the label. The color is the first clue and the nose is the second. Abby Normal smells like a Belgain dark ale (to some extent), but isn't exactly jumping out of the glass. That might be due to a lack of aerosolization, which is due to a serious lack of carbonation. There's a meager dark maltiness, some dark fruit and a faint yeasty spiciness.
Not good. Not good at all. This VBC brew would get laughed out of any comparison to a real Belgian ale. The outlines of a decent beer are present, but they aren't filled in with anything of substance. Not enough malt, not enough flavor, not enough yeastiness and not enough bubbles. Any other questions?
Although the flavor profile doesn't deliver many off-flavors, it doesn't deliver many on-flavors either. I can appreciate well toasted grain, caramel extract, an undercurrent of green apples, a certain nuttiness and a stale spiciness that tastes like it's coming from a bastardized Belgian yeast strain that graduated at the bottom of its class.
The mouthfeel is a little bit light and a lotta bit underbubbled. I can't emphasize too much how improperly carbonated beer can't possibly make a good impression, no matter how delicious it might be otherwise. This one isn't 'delicious otherwise', although the bubble shortage doesn't help.
I haven't had enough Viking beer to know if there is a huge amount of batch-to-batch variation or if some of their offerings are simply less than good on a regular basis. If this bottle is at all representative, Abby Abnormal is not a beer that I have any desire to drink again.
Reviewed by MuenchenerKindl from Germany
3.83/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.83/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz stubby to a snifter, the liquid is a dark brown with good carbonation. The head is thick fluffy dark tan and leaves very little lace.
The smell is ok, sweet malt and sugar, with mild yeast.
The taste is nice, sweet dark roasted malt yeasty zing, and all that dark fruit complexity stuff.
The mouthfeel was ok could be a bit smoother. The body is good the carbonation is ok.
The drinkability is ok as well. Not a bad brew at all. Prosit MK
Mar 31, 2008The smell is ok, sweet malt and sugar, with mild yeast.
The taste is nice, sweet dark roasted malt yeasty zing, and all that dark fruit complexity stuff.
The mouthfeel was ok could be a bit smoother. The body is good the carbonation is ok.
The drinkability is ok as well. Not a bad brew at all. Prosit MK
Reviewed by happygnome from Minnesota
3.88/5 rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
a: pours a ruby color with big pillowy tan head that doesnt dissapear too fast but when it does it leaves a good amount of lacing on top of the beer
s: deffinate notes of fruit maybe apples? deffinatly a yeasty/earthy smelling beer
t: kind of strange yeasty flavor notes, sweet and tart as well, dark fruity notes come out more and more with each sip
m: medium to full bodied beer with a good amount of carbonation
overall, i really liked this brew and will deffinatly try it again
Mar 06, 2008s: deffinate notes of fruit maybe apples? deffinatly a yeasty/earthy smelling beer
t: kind of strange yeasty flavor notes, sweet and tart as well, dark fruity notes come out more and more with each sip
m: medium to full bodied beer with a good amount of carbonation
overall, i really liked this brew and will deffinatly try it again
Reviewed by brdc from Wisconsin
2.75/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
2.75/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
According to the bottle, this is a trippel.
It is very dark, but has very little head, and after one-two minutes, absolutely none.
Smell is interesting, but sadly very faint, resembling coffee and guarana seeds.
It is very thin on the mouth, bitter, with hints of rhubarb.
I was very disappointed.
Apr 02, 2007It is very dark, but has very little head, and after one-two minutes, absolutely none.
Smell is interesting, but sadly very faint, resembling coffee and guarana seeds.
It is very thin on the mouth, bitter, with hints of rhubarb.
I was very disappointed.
Reviewed by marcobrau from Illinois
4.02/5 rDev +24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev +24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
A much darker beer than I anticipated, pouring a medium-brown hue, with ample carbonation along with a caramelly, fruity aroma. Very smooth and rather tart. The bottle says abbey, but this is drinking a little bit more like a sour brown ale (I'm not complaining). A very refreshing brew that is very drinkable. The fine bead of carbonation forms a tight ring of bubbles enhancing the appearance. As the beer warms up, a bit of rown sugar, allspice and a hint cinnamon surface in the aroma. This beer has some very tasty, fruity flavors (think: tamarind). The finish is a bit tart and delicately hopped for balance. A very pleasant and enjoyable Belgian-style beer.
Nov 29, 2006Reviewed by demcorhip from Canada (ON)
3.5/5 rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance
This beer poured a deep hazy brown. Amber came through around the edges when inspected in the light. A half finger head resulted from the pour, and only very scant lacings remained after the head setted.
Aroma
Oak, alcohol, caramel malts, sour green apple, and a hint of dark fruits.
Taste
Much like the aroma. Oak, with a hint of vanilla, caramel roasted malts, a hint of dark fruits, and a sour green apple funk. I should have checked the date on this one. Seemed "fresh" and perhaps cellaring would allow for the flavours to develop and sort themselves out a little more. Theres lots going on in this beer, just not as refined as it should be?
Mouthfeel
This is a decent bodied brew. Malty sweetness balanced by oakiness, alcohol, and green apple funk.
Drinkability
Decent brew, may have been too "fresh". I'll try cellaring this one to see just how it sorts itself out. I'll review it again at that point and decide whether or not to buy it again then.
Sep 05, 2006This beer poured a deep hazy brown. Amber came through around the edges when inspected in the light. A half finger head resulted from the pour, and only very scant lacings remained after the head setted.
Aroma
Oak, alcohol, caramel malts, sour green apple, and a hint of dark fruits.
Taste
Much like the aroma. Oak, with a hint of vanilla, caramel roasted malts, a hint of dark fruits, and a sour green apple funk. I should have checked the date on this one. Seemed "fresh" and perhaps cellaring would allow for the flavours to develop and sort themselves out a little more. Theres lots going on in this beer, just not as refined as it should be?
Mouthfeel
This is a decent bodied brew. Malty sweetness balanced by oakiness, alcohol, and green apple funk.
Drinkability
Decent brew, may have been too "fresh". I'll try cellaring this one to see just how it sorts itself out. I'll review it again at that point and decide whether or not to buy it again then.
Abby Normal from Valkyrie Brewing
Beer rating:
77 out of
100 with
32 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!