De Koninck Gusto 1833 Golden Blond
Brouwerij De Koninck NV

2011 Vintage (BBF 24/09/2011). One of the 2 beers that De Koninck has released which are meant for “fine” dining etc. Packaging reminds me of cava bottles which are all the rage still in Belgium. I am fairly certain that this association is intentional. I am probably not the intended target here. 75 cl. bottle @ home. Golden, quickly collapsed white head. Rubbing alcohol nose, grass, slightly BE yeast sweet, light soap,… Taste is banana, soap, plastic, light rubbing alcohol burn in the back, sweet BE yeast, light fruity & flowers, dominating bitter chemical finish, lots of medicine, nasty,… Touch too high carb. Far from dazzling. Despite being from Antwerp, I still cannot manage to be a homer for this brewery. Nothing safe for their one-off and now gone Modeste beer is really worth having. This is actually their highest rated available beer. They do certainly have a place, their flagship beer can be had in most bars for very little more than a generic pale lager. It is a nicer option so for that they can be appreciated. Still…

At Hommelhof. Paired with pumpkin soup. Poured into wine tulip. Straw, clear. Light fluffy frothy head. Moderate retention. Soapy lacing, slick. 750 ml bottle. Dated 24/09/11, best by. Aroma pilsnery a bit but pleasant hop aroma, mild sweet malt. No alcohol noted on taste. Well, well hidden. Refreshing hop mild bitterness. Nice sweetness and carbonation. Easy to drink, lovely. 

75cl bottle

A: Hazy orange-blond colour, small head

S: Apple Citrus, hops and something bready

T: A bit like the smell some citrus some bread, but slightly more hoppy, bitter aftertaste

M/D Small carbonation bubbles, but slightly overcarbonated, with a slightly creamy body, very drinkable overall

Cork and caged brown 0.75 litre bottle, best before Sep 2011, drank and reviewed 21 Feb 2011. Poured in one go (into three different glass) to minimise the sediment movement.

The first two glasses were clear (almost) and the third with a true cloudy body. The colour was typical Belgian Blonde, meaning a pale yellow with a lemony hue. On top a quickly fading head of white bubbles, large at first, but soon only a wisp and collar.

The aroma was yeasty with some citrus fruit hints and a malty, biscuity undertone.

The taste was a mix of the semi-sour citrus fruits and a semi-sweet floral flavour. The yeast esters turning towards a wheat, almost grainy feel.

Well carbonated and nicely presented, this however is just a 'run of the mill' Belgian beer, pleasant more than brilliant.

Large bottle with a cork, which of course leads to a little more carbonation than most. I actually used a wine stopper on the bottle in between pours while finishing the bottle.

A hazy golden color on the pour, with of course a big head with the carbonation, but it settles quickly, with not a lot of lacing left behind.

Smells mostly of wheat, a contrast to the ruby red version of the beer I just finished.

Taste along the same lines of the smell, but not as fruity as many 8% ABV's. Felt good in the mouth, not watery. All in all something I would look forward to having again.

a - Poured a murky golden color with a little bit of off white head.

s - Wheat, bready malts, and alittle bit of citrus.

t - Wheat, and malts again, followed by a little bit of sweet fruit.

m - High carbonation and light body.

d - Not a bad Belgian. Some sweet fruits and bready malts lead the smell and taste. The high carbonation hurts it a little bit.