Hell's Belle | Big Boss Brewing
Brewed by:
Big Boss Brewing
North Carolina, United States
bigbossbrewing.com
Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by blackie on 02-26-2007
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 109 | Ratings: 287
4/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Hazy peach gold to amber under a clingy 1” cream colored foam cap that dissipates moderately fast.
S: Peach, ripe to over ripe fruit, a trace of banana and spice.
T: Very fruity flavors with a blend of orange, citrus, stone fruit, and a light malty caramel sweetness finished off with a moderate bitterness.The yeast driven fruit flavors are moderate to moderately high, the malt flavors are moderate to moderately low, the hop bitterness is moderate. There is a long lingering fruit finish.
F: Medium to medium light body, medium high carbonation, no astringency, very minimal warming.
O: A good, flavorful Belgian Pale Ale.
★ 639 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Hazy peach gold to amber under a clingy 1” cream colored foam cap that dissipates moderately fast.
S: Peach, ripe to over ripe fruit, a trace of banana and spice.
T: Very fruity flavors with a blend of orange, citrus, stone fruit, and a light malty caramel sweetness finished off with a moderate bitterness.The yeast driven fruit flavors are moderate to moderately high, the malt flavors are moderate to moderately low, the hop bitterness is moderate. There is a long lingering fruit finish.
F: Medium to medium light body, medium high carbonation, no astringency, very minimal warming.
O: A good, flavorful Belgian Pale Ale.
★ 639 characters
4.19/5 rDev +17.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 OZ bottle into a pint glass at the "World of Beer" in Cary, NC. This beer has a murky golden orange color with a white head. The aroma is of slight hops and some spice. The flavor is a nice blend of citrus and spice with some malt and hops. a medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. A really good beer highly recommended.
★ 349 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 OZ bottle into a pint glass at the "World of Beer" in Cary, NC. This beer has a murky golden orange color with a white head. The aroma is of slight hops and some spice. The flavor is a nice blend of citrus and spice with some malt and hops. a medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. A really good beer highly recommended.
★ 349 characters
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
Beer #4 in an NC beers only tasting, thanks to Benny (styleisking).
[ Appearance: 3.5] About a medium yellow color, this beer looks a bit like unpolished gold as a natural brightness tries to fight through a light haze. The head is white, fairly fluffy, with better than average retention and reasonable patching.
[Aroma: 3.75] Spicing comes out nicely with a good bit of musty earth and pale sweetness in the nose. There's some pale fruit and a bit of pepper with the sweet.
[Flavor: 3.5] Pear and apple lead to some heavier clove notes before a bit of heat in the middle. Something comes in to give an impression of unrefined sugar. A hint of leaf adds the balancing bitterness. It ends a bit too phenolic.
[Mouthfeel: 3.5] The body leans light but manages medium with a dryness that's appropriate for the style. The phenols keep it from being as clean as it should be. It's crisp and fluffy from beginning to end.
★ 925 characters
Beer #4 in an NC beers only tasting, thanks to Benny (styleisking).
[ Appearance: 3.5] About a medium yellow color, this beer looks a bit like unpolished gold as a natural brightness tries to fight through a light haze. The head is white, fairly fluffy, with better than average retention and reasonable patching.
[Aroma: 3.75] Spicing comes out nicely with a good bit of musty earth and pale sweetness in the nose. There's some pale fruit and a bit of pepper with the sweet.
[Flavor: 3.5] Pear and apple lead to some heavier clove notes before a bit of heat in the middle. Something comes in to give an impression of unrefined sugar. A hint of leaf adds the balancing bitterness. It ends a bit too phenolic.
[Mouthfeel: 3.5] The body leans light but manages medium with a dryness that's appropriate for the style. The phenols keep it from being as clean as it should be. It's crisp and fluffy from beginning to end.
★ 925 characters
4.5/5 rDev +26.4%
Great tasting Belgian style beer. Great in the springtime. Being a local of Raleigh it is nice being close to this brewery. This one is one of my favs. They have an awesome run club too!
★ 186 characters
Great tasting Belgian style beer. Great in the springtime. Being a local of Raleigh it is nice being close to this brewery. This one is one of my favs. They have an awesome run club too!
★ 186 characters
3.44/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured from a bottle to a tulip glass. Had a dark orange color and a cloudy texture. There was an inch of foamy, somewhat long-lasting head. Average lacing.
S: A decent enough aroma of yeast, spices, and fruit.
T: Tasted of apples, spices (pepper, cinnamon), a little bit of malt, and yeast. Not necessarily a bad flavor, but a bit out of balance. The spices seem to take over the whole thing.
M: A fair amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.
O: Not a bad beer, but it doesn't necessarily stack up to its Belgian cousins.
★ 546 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured from a bottle to a tulip glass. Had a dark orange color and a cloudy texture. There was an inch of foamy, somewhat long-lasting head. Average lacing.
S: A decent enough aroma of yeast, spices, and fruit.
T: Tasted of apples, spices (pepper, cinnamon), a little bit of malt, and yeast. Not necessarily a bad flavor, but a bit out of balance. The spices seem to take over the whole thing.
M: A fair amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.
O: Not a bad beer, but it doesn't necessarily stack up to its Belgian cousins.
★ 546 characters
3.8/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Boulevard Ales pint glass
From: Trader Joe’s in Ballantyne (Charlotte), N.C.
Price: $1.67 (I think)
Purchased: July 26, 2014
Consumed: July 28, 2014
Misc.: N/A
Poured a honey, golden hazy color with 1-to-2 fingers of off-white head that went away quickly. Minimal lacing on the sides of the glass. Minimal retention on the top.
Smelled Belgian spices, kiwi, apple, grape, banana, cloves, cinnamon, slight wintry whiff, peppery spices and caramel.
Tasted pretty close to the nose with caramel, kiwi, Belgian spices, apple, green grapes, cloves, banana, slight peppery spices, cinnamon and still that wintry mix.
Medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, fruity finish.
A pretty good Belgian beer overall.
★ 751 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Boulevard Ales pint glass
From: Trader Joe’s in Ballantyne (Charlotte), N.C.
Price: $1.67 (I think)
Purchased: July 26, 2014
Consumed: July 28, 2014
Misc.: N/A
Poured a honey, golden hazy color with 1-to-2 fingers of off-white head that went away quickly. Minimal lacing on the sides of the glass. Minimal retention on the top.
Smelled Belgian spices, kiwi, apple, grape, banana, cloves, cinnamon, slight wintry whiff, peppery spices and caramel.
Tasted pretty close to the nose with caramel, kiwi, Belgian spices, apple, green grapes, cloves, banana, slight peppery spices, cinnamon and still that wintry mix.
Medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, fruity finish.
A pretty good Belgian beer overall.
★ 751 characters
3.89/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served in Big Boss Pint glass. Carolina Ale House at RDU airport while watching the USA - GER world cup match (we lost).
A: Dark yellow color. Translucent, slightly cloudy. One inch head. Mostly a boring appearance that you'd expect from a beer of this type. Pretty swirls of carbonation rising from the bottom (how about a bonus .25 for that?).
S: The aroma of honey malt and hops mixed with earthy notes and a hint of rose. Sweet like it tastes. Hoppy hoppy hoppy.
T: First sip is rich with flavors of honey and a floral nose. Sweet but rich with toasted malts. Slightly hoppy but not bitter. Mild 20-30 IBU estimated. Aftertaste of mild hops. Potent flavor with lots of alcohol but blends well with it's malty and sweet goodness. Significant banana notes as the beer warms.
M: Mouthfeel is good, not too dramatic, soft and smooth with some silkiness. Noticeable bite from the hops and carbonation but not overpowering.
O: Overall an extremely delicious beer with a lot of flavor and subtles. Something worth drinking alone. Don't ruin this beer by drinking it with food or after you have had other beers. This is a beer good enough to drink alone and savor. Wonderful draft from Big Boss.
★ 1,197 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served in Big Boss Pint glass. Carolina Ale House at RDU airport while watching the USA - GER world cup match (we lost).
A: Dark yellow color. Translucent, slightly cloudy. One inch head. Mostly a boring appearance that you'd expect from a beer of this type. Pretty swirls of carbonation rising from the bottom (how about a bonus .25 for that?).
S: The aroma of honey malt and hops mixed with earthy notes and a hint of rose. Sweet like it tastes. Hoppy hoppy hoppy.
T: First sip is rich with flavors of honey and a floral nose. Sweet but rich with toasted malts. Slightly hoppy but not bitter. Mild 20-30 IBU estimated. Aftertaste of mild hops. Potent flavor with lots of alcohol but blends well with it's malty and sweet goodness. Significant banana notes as the beer warms.
M: Mouthfeel is good, not too dramatic, soft and smooth with some silkiness. Noticeable bite from the hops and carbonation but not overpowering.
O: Overall an extremely delicious beer with a lot of flavor and subtles. Something worth drinking alone. Don't ruin this beer by drinking it with food or after you have had other beers. This is a beer good enough to drink alone and savor. Wonderful draft from Big Boss.
★ 1,197 characters
3.73/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a Florida Beer Co. tapered glass. Says this fine beer was bottled on: and then there's a row of months and years with nothing indicated.
A- Pours a semi-hazy medium amber color with a 1/2 inch off-white head that retains a bit before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of surface foam. Non-resilient lacing leaves a broken ring behind.
S- Soily Belgian yeast aroma that's a bit sweet and quite boozy. Toasty malt with some Belgian candi sugar.
T- Flavor follows suit with more fruity yeast characteristic, mild bitterness and a noticeable alcohol presence. The sweetness helps keep it drinkable but there's not a lot of depth to the sugar/yeast/alcohol combo.
M- Bitey from the alcohol with medium carbonation and a body leaning toward the lighter side.
O- A pretty passable Belgian-style ale. The alcohol isn't hidden very well and the flavor profile lacks depth. That said, it's drinkable and doesn't have any overwhelming flaws.
★ 988 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a Florida Beer Co. tapered glass. Says this fine beer was bottled on: and then there's a row of months and years with nothing indicated.
A- Pours a semi-hazy medium amber color with a 1/2 inch off-white head that retains a bit before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of surface foam. Non-resilient lacing leaves a broken ring behind.
S- Soily Belgian yeast aroma that's a bit sweet and quite boozy. Toasty malt with some Belgian candi sugar.
T- Flavor follows suit with more fruity yeast characteristic, mild bitterness and a noticeable alcohol presence. The sweetness helps keep it drinkable but there's not a lot of depth to the sugar/yeast/alcohol combo.
M- Bitey from the alcohol with medium carbonation and a body leaning toward the lighter side.
O- A pretty passable Belgian-style ale. The alcohol isn't hidden very well and the flavor profile lacks depth. That said, it's drinkable and doesn't have any overwhelming flaws.
★ 988 characters
3.77/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Crystal clear SRM 6-8 amber. A slight white froth quickly dissipates leaving no lacing. This one is truly clear and the color closely matches the label arch.
Subtle fruit aromas mix with a barnyard funkiness. Apples and pairs add sweetness while clove adds spice. Warmth brings out a light banana aroma.
Flavors bring out sweetness from the nose, a bit too sweet for the style. Fresh apple is slightly mouth watering. Warmth brings out light pepper and white wine. The finish is long and faint.
Alcohol is well controlled. A light body with fizzy, silk-like texture and quite dry.
Hell’s Belle is easily approachable. What it lacks in flavor and aroma is made up for by being an entry level Belgian. It is enjoyable on its own or with light food or cheese.
★ 762 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Crystal clear SRM 6-8 amber. A slight white froth quickly dissipates leaving no lacing. This one is truly clear and the color closely matches the label arch.
Subtle fruit aromas mix with a barnyard funkiness. Apples and pairs add sweetness while clove adds spice. Warmth brings out a light banana aroma.
Flavors bring out sweetness from the nose, a bit too sweet for the style. Fresh apple is slightly mouth watering. Warmth brings out light pepper and white wine. The finish is long and faint.
Alcohol is well controlled. A light body with fizzy, silk-like texture and quite dry.
Hell’s Belle is easily approachable. What it lacks in flavor and aroma is made up for by being an entry level Belgian. It is enjoyable on its own or with light food or cheese.
★ 762 characters
4/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a cloudy honey color with a decent enough head that leaves a few dots and dashes
Smell: Shortbread malt with hay and white pepper
Taste: The shortbread brings some sweetness in the front end, with the white pepper and hay flavors adding balance in the middle; the flavors blend together nicely in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: Refreshing and tasty; a good stab at the style
★ 434 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a cloudy honey color with a decent enough head that leaves a few dots and dashes
Smell: Shortbread malt with hay and white pepper
Taste: The shortbread brings some sweetness in the front end, with the white pepper and hay flavors adding balance in the middle; the flavors blend together nicely in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: Refreshing and tasty; a good stab at the style
★ 434 characters
3.9/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from bottle. I liked this beer, had very interesting aroma and nice taste with good balance, not too much wheat/yeast/sweetness. Typically I like beer on the hoppy/bitter side, but found this brew to be interesting and refreshing without becoming cloying. Easily could drink a few of these on a hot afternoon. Maybe not at the apex of Belgian pale ale globally, but, for a local beer and good price point, I would buy again.
★ 431 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from bottle. I liked this beer, had very interesting aroma and nice taste with good balance, not too much wheat/yeast/sweetness. Typically I like beer on the hoppy/bitter side, but found this brew to be interesting and refreshing without becoming cloying. Easily could drink a few of these on a hot afternoon. Maybe not at the apex of Belgian pale ale globally, but, for a local beer and good price point, I would buy again.
★ 431 characters
2.92/5 rDev -18%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: Golden, but not to style for a Belgian Pale Ale. Very clear with a medium carbonation. Quickly disapating head.
S: Strong Belgian yeast character, very Saison like, with some spice. Light hop aroma. Some malt sweetness.
T: A little too sweet, but not terrible. Muted malt flavor that is kind of unappealing to me.
M: Light to medium body, fairly dry finish.
O: Taste and Aroma have some significant flaws. Not something I would look to drink more than a sample worth.
★ 475 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: Golden, but not to style for a Belgian Pale Ale. Very clear with a medium carbonation. Quickly disapating head.
S: Strong Belgian yeast character, very Saison like, with some spice. Light hop aroma. Some malt sweetness.
T: A little too sweet, but not terrible. Muted malt flavor that is kind of unappealing to me.
M: Light to medium body, fairly dry finish.
O: Taste and Aroma have some significant flaws. Not something I would look to drink more than a sample worth.
★ 475 characters
3.53/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a hazy medium golden yellow in color with some straw yellow highlights and a light amount of gentle visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall foamy white head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer with a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of light fruits (white grape, pear, apple, and peach) with some lighter notes of spicy yeast (white pepper) and light lemon citrus.
T: This beer tastes very similar to how it smells. Upfront there are some pale malts with light fruit sweetness (white grape, pear, apple, and peach/apricot). That is followed by some lighter notes of spicy yeast, similar to white pepper and a touch of lemon citrus. Light amounts of spicy/earthy hops that contribute a light amount of bitterness towards the finish which does not linger.
M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and slightly dry.
O: While this beer has a moderately high ABV, the alcohol is well hidden making this beer a very nice sipping beer (not one that I want to be using for a session beer because it is a but too strong for that). Nice flavors make this one enjoyable.
★ 1,226 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a hazy medium golden yellow in color with some straw yellow highlights and a light amount of gentle visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall foamy white head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer with a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of light fruits (white grape, pear, apple, and peach) with some lighter notes of spicy yeast (white pepper) and light lemon citrus.
T: This beer tastes very similar to how it smells. Upfront there are some pale malts with light fruit sweetness (white grape, pear, apple, and peach/apricot). That is followed by some lighter notes of spicy yeast, similar to white pepper and a touch of lemon citrus. Light amounts of spicy/earthy hops that contribute a light amount of bitterness towards the finish which does not linger.
M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and slightly dry.
O: While this beer has a moderately high ABV, the alcohol is well hidden making this beer a very nice sipping beer (not one that I want to be using for a session beer because it is a but too strong for that). Nice flavors make this one enjoyable.
★ 1,226 characters
2.98/5 rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
This poured out as a clear looking golden yellow color, the head was white and fizzy looking. The retention and lacing are decent. The smell of the beer is very Belgian, lots of bread-like aromas on the nose with some minimal fruit esters. The taste of the beer was pretty straight forward, grains and some sweet sugar-like flavors. Not much depth to the mouthfeel, just kinda feels boring to me. Overall it's an ok brew, not really something I would seek out again.
★ 466 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
This poured out as a clear looking golden yellow color, the head was white and fizzy looking. The retention and lacing are decent. The smell of the beer is very Belgian, lots of bread-like aromas on the nose with some minimal fruit esters. The taste of the beer was pretty straight forward, grains and some sweet sugar-like flavors. Not much depth to the mouthfeel, just kinda feels boring to me. Overall it's an ok brew, not really something I would seek out again.
★ 466 characters
3.65/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5
If you like belgians then you'll like this one...but you won't love it...it has a spiced backbone and an awesome and surprisingly thick mouthfeel...overall a 3.5 represents a beer slightly above average...
Enjoy this beer while listening to iron and wine...
★ 258 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5
If you like belgians then you'll like this one...but you won't love it...it has a spiced backbone and an awesome and surprisingly thick mouthfeel...overall a 3.5 represents a beer slightly above average...
Enjoy this beer while listening to iron and wine...
★ 258 characters
4.05/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
7% ABV, "Bottled on" unmarked.
Thanks to Onenote81 for this bottle!
A - Hell's Belle is a brilliant clear blonde color with a pluming head of foam on 'er. The tightly packed little bubbles drop slowly and produce one little arch of lace on the glass.
S - Yeast esters blaze out of this beer with a fire-y fury; potent clay and white pepper, cardamom, and a splash of white grape all make an appearance. Earthy wood splinters show up too, but certainly not to the degree this one is barrel aged. Grainy pale malt balances the upfront hoppiness of the sharp citrus notes of lemon, grapefruit, and mild pineapple.
T - Sharply dry Hell's Belle flames up with a hoppy bite of citrus and earth tones with quite a bit of earthiness from the Belgian yeast esters following. There is a good balance of yeast and hops backed by a grainy pale and sweet pilsner malt base.
M - Plenty of carbonation keeps Hell's Belle lively-feeling while very smooth at the same time. The alcohol presence goes almost unnoticed making it a devil in disguise as this beer finishes out with an incredibly dry bite and moderately bitter lingering flavor.
O - Nothing screams "cool off" like the penetrating stare from a fire-headed woman on a crisp Belgian pale ale titled Hell's Belle. Especially when it's over 100° outside. And I cool off indeed. This is a tasty rendition of a Belgian classic, complete with plenty of yeast nuances to cut through the hoppy flavor. Hell's Belle is unique, enjoyable, and foxy.
★ 1,530 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
7% ABV, "Bottled on" unmarked.
Thanks to Onenote81 for this bottle!
A - Hell's Belle is a brilliant clear blonde color with a pluming head of foam on 'er. The tightly packed little bubbles drop slowly and produce one little arch of lace on the glass.
S - Yeast esters blaze out of this beer with a fire-y fury; potent clay and white pepper, cardamom, and a splash of white grape all make an appearance. Earthy wood splinters show up too, but certainly not to the degree this one is barrel aged. Grainy pale malt balances the upfront hoppiness of the sharp citrus notes of lemon, grapefruit, and mild pineapple.
T - Sharply dry Hell's Belle flames up with a hoppy bite of citrus and earth tones with quite a bit of earthiness from the Belgian yeast esters following. There is a good balance of yeast and hops backed by a grainy pale and sweet pilsner malt base.
M - Plenty of carbonation keeps Hell's Belle lively-feeling while very smooth at the same time. The alcohol presence goes almost unnoticed making it a devil in disguise as this beer finishes out with an incredibly dry bite and moderately bitter lingering flavor.
O - Nothing screams "cool off" like the penetrating stare from a fire-headed woman on a crisp Belgian pale ale titled Hell's Belle. Especially when it's over 100° outside. And I cool off indeed. This is a tasty rendition of a Belgian classic, complete with plenty of yeast nuances to cut through the hoppy flavor. Hell's Belle is unique, enjoyable, and foxy.
★ 1,530 characters
3.47/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a slighty hazy light orange/yellow color. With the yeast left in the bottle the head did not exist. Yet with a good shake the yeast helps the head become a good one finger with decent lacing and retention.
The aroma is fragrant with Belgium yeast, some light bread malt, and a little citrus from the hops. Nothing overdone, but nothing bad.
The flavor give off hints of banana bread, I touch of honey, Belgium yeast, and a good bitter hop.
The finish is semi-dry with a nice mix of light malt and hop lingering for a litle. Light and easy to drink.
It just seems like something is missing. But at the same time Big Boss brewery has met the basic expectations of a Belgium Pale Ale.
★ 695 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a slighty hazy light orange/yellow color. With the yeast left in the bottle the head did not exist. Yet with a good shake the yeast helps the head become a good one finger with decent lacing and retention.
The aroma is fragrant with Belgium yeast, some light bread malt, and a little citrus from the hops. Nothing overdone, but nothing bad.
The flavor give off hints of banana bread, I touch of honey, Belgium yeast, and a good bitter hop.
The finish is semi-dry with a nice mix of light malt and hop lingering for a litle. Light and easy to drink.
It just seems like something is missing. But at the same time Big Boss brewery has met the basic expectations of a Belgium Pale Ale.
★ 695 characters
3.55/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a clear glass goblet. No freshness date. Single purchased at Ingles (Boone, NC) for $1.49.
A: Clear golden with bubbles rising to a slight off-white head that drops to a thin rim and leaves no lacing.
S: Sweet grainy aroma with some light herbal hops and a bit of corn and phenol.
T: There is a full flavor although it is on the sweet side with a lot of candi sugar and pale continental malt. The yeast adds a light, subtle phenolic component. There is a very grainy edge through the middle with a light corn note to the finish.
M: The feel is medium bodied with very active carbonation to give a somewhat crisp finish.
O: Not too bad but I'm not really sure what style it is -- it doesn't fit the single or the BSPA too well. Pretty tasty but has some rough edges and a little bit more attentive brewing to get all of the DMS out.
★ 873 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a clear glass goblet. No freshness date. Single purchased at Ingles (Boone, NC) for $1.49.
A: Clear golden with bubbles rising to a slight off-white head that drops to a thin rim and leaves no lacing.
S: Sweet grainy aroma with some light herbal hops and a bit of corn and phenol.
T: There is a full flavor although it is on the sweet side with a lot of candi sugar and pale continental malt. The yeast adds a light, subtle phenolic component. There is a very grainy edge through the middle with a light corn note to the finish.
M: The feel is medium bodied with very active carbonation to give a somewhat crisp finish.
O: Not too bad but I'm not really sure what style it is -- it doesn't fit the single or the BSPA too well. Pretty tasty but has some rough edges and a little bit more attentive brewing to get all of the DMS out.
★ 873 characters
3.27/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a transparent deep golden with a wispy-lacing white head. Aroma of lightly sweet pale Belgian malts and a good amount of bready Belgian yeast and some mild sulfuric notes, Body starts fairly full and sweet with good, authentic Belgian character and some drier earthy bittering hops. A pretty decent Belgian ale.
★ 317 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a transparent deep golden with a wispy-lacing white head. Aroma of lightly sweet pale Belgian malts and a good amount of bready Belgian yeast and some mild sulfuric notes, Body starts fairly full and sweet with good, authentic Belgian character and some drier earthy bittering hops. A pretty decent Belgian ale.
★ 317 characters
4.29/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Rich aroma has fruity, clove, malt and yeasty notes - it smells almost like unbaked bread but with an earthy hint. It pours a clear golden with a fairly typical white head that leaves some decent lacing. Flavor - such flavor, a malty core; strong yeasty and fruity notes, the latter mainly pear plus a touch of banana; earthy and clove hints. Smooth, firm texture has plenty of fizz and sass, leaving a fruity, yeasty and rather tingly finish. This Belle is a heavenly brew!
★ 474 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Rich aroma has fruity, clove, malt and yeasty notes - it smells almost like unbaked bread but with an earthy hint. It pours a clear golden with a fairly typical white head that leaves some decent lacing. Flavor - such flavor, a malty core; strong yeasty and fruity notes, the latter mainly pear plus a touch of banana; earthy and clove hints. Smooth, firm texture has plenty of fizz and sass, leaving a fruity, yeasty and rather tingly finish. This Belle is a heavenly brew!
★ 474 characters
3.71/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours relatively clear with a nice head and consistent tiny bubbles. Nice appearance.
S: Pretty standard nose. Smells like a combination of bud light and a belgian tripel.
T: Very light taste. Not much to it Easy to drink and enjoyable. Not offensive, and nothing overly great about it
M: Smooth moutfeel. Carbonation consists of a lot of tiny bubbles. Nice.
O: A nice smooth, easy drinking beer. Not overly powerful, and for a 7% abv beer, goes down very easily. Almost too easily. I could see myself drinking a lot of these without thinking much about it. And for the price... Very good.
Serving type: bottle
★ 620 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours relatively clear with a nice head and consistent tiny bubbles. Nice appearance.
S: Pretty standard nose. Smells like a combination of bud light and a belgian tripel.
T: Very light taste. Not much to it Easy to drink and enjoyable. Not offensive, and nothing overly great about it
M: Smooth moutfeel. Carbonation consists of a lot of tiny bubbles. Nice.
O: A nice smooth, easy drinking beer. Not overly powerful, and for a 7% abv beer, goes down very easily. Almost too easily. I could see myself drinking a lot of these without thinking much about it. And for the price... Very good.
Serving type: bottle
★ 620 characters
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served from tap into a sampler tumbler. Poured a hazy pale yellow with a minimal white head. There was no lacing evident throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, banana, spices, wheat, and subtle alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, clove, and wheat. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was an okay brew. The flavor and aroma on this one were pretty close to what one would expect from this style. While they were pretty close to traditional, they were not otherworldly which kept this brew from going to the next level. Worth trying if you get the chance, but I would leave it at that.
★ 650 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served from tap into a sampler tumbler. Poured a hazy pale yellow with a minimal white head. There was no lacing evident throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, banana, spices, wheat, and subtle alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, clove, and wheat. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was an okay brew. The flavor and aroma on this one were pretty close to what one would expect from this style. While they were pretty close to traditional, they were not otherworldly which kept this brew from going to the next level. Worth trying if you get the chance, but I would leave it at that.
★ 650 characters
3.38/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Golden in color, minimal head. Looks as advertised.
Appropriately citrusy, spicy, etc., though a bit underwhelming.
Tastes about what it smells; there's something lacking but it's a legitimate representation of the Belgian Pale Ale style.
Others have said it; I will re-iterate... remarkably uncarbonated. I'm not a raving fan. Not a total let-down, but there are aspects missing.
Overall this is not Big Boss' best offering, but it will do. For the price around here, I'll take it, though as a fan of the style, I can't say I recommend it above all others. Give it a shot, though.
★ 585 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Golden in color, minimal head. Looks as advertised.
Appropriately citrusy, spicy, etc., though a bit underwhelming.
Tastes about what it smells; there's something lacking but it's a legitimate representation of the Belgian Pale Ale style.
Others have said it; I will re-iterate... remarkably uncarbonated. I'm not a raving fan. Not a total let-down, but there are aspects missing.
Overall this is not Big Boss' best offering, but it will do. For the price around here, I'll take it, though as a fan of the style, I can't say I recommend it above all others. Give it a shot, though.
★ 585 characters
3.61/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A- Pours a crystal clear golden yellow body with an almost 4-finger white head that stays around for a long time! Some really nice lacing as well.
S- Really yeasty, a lot of sweetness, some sweet fruits, and some citrus hints.
T- Slightly stale funk, some fuitiness, and some grainiess.
MF- Moderate body with a lot of carbonation.
★ 334 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A- Pours a crystal clear golden yellow body with an almost 4-finger white head that stays around for a long time! Some really nice lacing as well.
S- Really yeasty, a lot of sweetness, some sweet fruits, and some citrus hints.
T- Slightly stale funk, some fuitiness, and some grainiess.
MF- Moderate body with a lot of carbonation.
★ 334 characters
Hell's Belle from Big Boss Brewing
3.56
out of 5
based on 287 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Spicy and robust taste, but lacks the vigor of a Belgian ale. A semi smoothness to the tongue and a semi fragrant smell, the brew is golden brown in color like most Belgian ales. The spicy and peppery taste is something new to myself, but not something that I would frequently drink for this very reason.
★ 304 characters