Ovila Belgian Style Golden
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Broke this out for Derby Day in September (2020) because I didn't want to try and power through this entire bottle myself.

Pours an impressive appearance, golden leaning into light amber, full on 1" of white head that is dense and with amazing retention. The aroma hit the belgian pale yeast notes, but omitted the belgian spice rack thankfully. Light grain note and alcohol warmth.

Taste was better than expected in a style I don't normally jive with. The mouth feel had lively carbonation that kept the yeast from absolute domination. Still a light grain and alcohol heat to it, although firm, not problematic. Had a sense of mustiness. Had been cellared a few years. Light citrus aspect and heavier bitterness. Hint of pepper. Dry finish.

About 8oz of this was just right for my sensibilities. I liked the muted spice rack and straightforward yeast presence, but the beer drank just as much like a tripel as it did a pale ale at times.

 

Poured deep ruby red with minimal head that laced down the glass. Pomegranate added to the red color. Not as carbonated as a golden ale normally would. Delicious. Hard to get. This one isn't a regular at my beer store so when it shows up I buy a case.

05/29/20 bottle @ home

 

Taken from notes in 2015

A- hazy golden brown, small foamy white head that reduces to ring, lacing left behind

S- Belgian yeast with candied dried fruit, earthy and musty, some saison-like qualities

T- candied Belgian yeast with some musty notes up front, fruity mid-palate with some red berries, slightly tart finish, dry more yeast on thr linger

M- medium-thick body with moderate carbonation, creamy Mouthfeel and finish

O- fruity and yeasty, solid

 

750 ml bottle poured into a goblet

A: Pours a hazy golden orange with a bright white creamy head, great retention of a creamy head, lots of carbonation, light lacing, very nice appearance.

A: Lots of fruity aromas like green apples, pears, peaches, touch of pepper, Belgian yeast, touch of lemon peel tartness, subtle white wine, very complex.

T: Light stone fruit notes up front, kick of peppery spice in the middle, finish has some lemon peel tartness, lemongrass, wet hay, hit of Belgian yeast as well, banana, spice, pepper, clove, drinks very easy.

M: Medium bodied with lots of carbonation, dry white wine like finish, smooth, creamy, very nice.

O: Very impressed with this beer, my only complaint is there is an off flavor, like a lemon tartness that I usually don't get in Belgian Strong Pale Ales. Not sure what year this was bottled, I'm guessing at least two years old, and it's held up well. Definitely going to pick up another bottle if I see it again.

 

2/16...pours thick hazy golden colored, completely opaque. Fizzy white foam mostly settles down. Orange citrus malt , floral, bright. Fruity citrus forward high carbonated taste. Orange rind and grapefruit bitter. Quite good, if not a touch fizzy.

On tap at PreFunk. Silky golden body, small bubbly head. Lots of fruity elements, yeasty, some wine like flavors, minor alcohol heat. Pretty solid Belgian ale.

 

 

13 oz. on-tap poured into tulip at Hay Merchant, Houston, TX
(drank 12/14/15)

L: peach ... not enough red to call it amber but way too much red to call gold ... a beautiful peach/orange; lots of stick, some lacing ... 50/50 hazy/clear

S: fruity ... super sweet ... slight lemon but also lots of peach/apricot

T: juicy sweet fruit mixed with slight pine/grass hops and some toasted malt ... great mix that works; slight tartness ties it all together; tropical fruit ... mango, pineapple; solid earthy base shows through at times

F: soft ale but filled out well enough with good carbonation

O: a great beer and my first Ovila ... plenty good enough that it won't be my last; it takes on a Belgian IPA-like character with lots of fruit and sweetness mixed with some American hop flavors, mainly pine but also some tropical fruits ... more grass-hop flavor would be awesome, but the hint of it was nice; the tartness is a highlight

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a goblet.

L - Medium gold color with just a hint of haze. Head is white, thick and active on pouring, but fades quickly. Lots of lace.

S - Beautiful aromas of bread, green apples and low cut grass. Yeast is evident as a low fruitiness and cotton candy, but not overly assertive for a Belgian style. Aromas are clean and crisp.

T - Low bready malt is quickly outshone by green apple and grassy hops. Finish is dry with mown grass lingering. Clean but not overly interesting.

F - Low to moderate hops bitterness. Light to medium body. Moderate but prickly carbonation. Surprisingly low alcohol presence for the 8.5 % ABV.

O - This is a well-made, clean, crisp example of the style. It lacks a little in depth and complexity for me, but is very enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

750 ml bottle. Head is prodigious and the retention is good. bright golden ale with a touch of haze. A constant and lively carbonation that keeps the head sitting two fingers proud also fades slowly to a light decoration on the sides of my glass. Smell has light pilsner malt and healthy Belgian funk. Horse blanket, dry white wine, apples and pears. A mild peppery spiciness and soap. Taste has an almost dubbel like profile. Dark fruits, raisins, figs and cherries. A bit of oak based vanilla. Malt is light and sugary, a solid pils and faint caramel, heavy crystal. Feel is full and creamy with the lively carbonation adding to joy of sipping this one. This is a complex sipper that has a bi-polar attraction. One is the malt smoothness, the other a yeast based pepper, spice and licorice that opens up the relatively subdued hop earthiness and allows it to balance the higher but hidden abv and keep it light and drinkable. Feel is the strong point for me. Creaminess is counter by a carbonation like this, but they coexist. Fullness is countered by drinkability. Somehow this sipper quickly vanishes while being sipped. Jus a solid and enjoyable beer at this time of year. Nice