Spencer Trappist Ale
The Spencer Brewery
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Belgian Pale Ale
Ranked #8 - ABV:
- 6.5%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #5,277 - Avg:
- 4.03 | pDev: 10.42%
- Reviews:
- 265
- Ratings:
- From:
- The Spencer Brewery
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 133
- Gots
- 343
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
Notes:
America's first Trappist beer.
Our recipe was inspired by the traditional refectory ales known as patersbier ("fathers' beer" in Flemish). These sessionable beers are brewed by the monks for their dinner table and are typically only available at the monastery. Spencer is a full-bodied, golden-hued ale with fruity accents, a dry finish and light hop bitterness. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, preserving live yeast that naturally carbonates the beer in the bottle and keg, and contributes to the beer flavor and aroma.
Our recipe was inspired by the traditional refectory ales known as patersbier ("fathers' beer" in Flemish). These sessionable beers are brewed by the monks for their dinner table and are typically only available at the monastery. Spencer is a full-bodied, golden-hued ale with fruity accents, a dry finish and light hop bitterness. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, preserving live yeast that naturally carbonates the beer in the bottle and keg, and contributes to the beer flavor and aroma.
Reviews: 265
| Ratings: 1,280
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4.16/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drinking this at The Brutopia Brewery in New Bern NC.
On tap poured into a pint glass.
Appears hazy, amber, nice head and deep lacing.
Smells bready, apple, spicy.
Taste follows the nose.
Mouth feel is medium plus.
Overall a very good beer that I would definitely order again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drinking this at The Brutopia Brewery in New Bern NC.
On tap poured into a pint glass.
Appears hazy, amber, nice head and deep lacing.
Smells bready, apple, spicy.
Taste follows the nose.
Mouth feel is medium plus.
Overall a very good beer that I would definitely order again.
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4.03/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
I had this from a bottle.
This pours a light amber tinged tan. Esters up front, with a heavy handed dose of coriander. Fruity esters round the palate. Smooth finish.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
I had this from a bottle.
This pours a light amber tinged tan. Esters up front, with a heavy handed dose of coriander. Fruity esters round the palate. Smooth finish.
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3.66/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Be prepared with a glass when you pop the cap! This bottle was very well rested and chilled but threatened to foam out the bottle right from the get-go.
L- Moderately hazy somewhat obscures a deepish amber colour, bottle-conditioned but most sediment left in bottle. Poured very slowly so only a thin white head gets to form.
S- A touch sour, a little apple, some spicy notes.
T- Pretty dry up-front for 6.5%, spicy notes (esp coriander) follow, into a richer spicy finish.
F- Quite bright, refreshing, spiced and intricate flavour. Carbonation the mouth seems a bit low given it's bottle-cond.
O- Certainly different for an American beer. It reminds me of... Leffe Blonde?
33Cl bottle. BB: 25/01/20.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Be prepared with a glass when you pop the cap! This bottle was very well rested and chilled but threatened to foam out the bottle right from the get-go.
L- Moderately hazy somewhat obscures a deepish amber colour, bottle-conditioned but most sediment left in bottle. Poured very slowly so only a thin white head gets to form.
S- A touch sour, a little apple, some spicy notes.
T- Pretty dry up-front for 6.5%, spicy notes (esp coriander) follow, into a richer spicy finish.
F- Quite bright, refreshing, spiced and intricate flavour. Carbonation the mouth seems a bit low given it's bottle-cond.
O- Certainly different for an American beer. It reminds me of... Leffe Blonde?
33Cl bottle. BB: 25/01/20.
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3.95/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
My good friend and old neighbor from Oswego gave me a bottle of this beer. It poured a hazy copper with thin white head that is not leaving any lace. The scent had common Belgian malt and spice notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with Belgian spice finish. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its a good beer.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
My good friend and old neighbor from Oswego gave me a bottle of this beer. It poured a hazy copper with thin white head that is not leaving any lace. The scent had common Belgian malt and spice notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with Belgian spice finish. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its a good beer.
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3.33/5 rDev -17.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Taste: Bready Belgian yeast, spice white pepper, mellow finish. Crackers, herbal nose. Dark golden/amber hue, mostly clear, tan head and delicate lace. Medium body. Maybe the bottle had been in the store too long?
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Taste: Bready Belgian yeast, spice white pepper, mellow finish. Crackers, herbal nose. Dark golden/amber hue, mostly clear, tan head and delicate lace. Medium body. Maybe the bottle had been in the store too long?
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3.93/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy amber color with a fluffy two finger head; decent retention and a few shards of lace
Smell: Modest Belgian yeast aroma with peppery phenols waft above the bready malts and apple/pear fruit tones
Taste: Crusty bread with apple and pear tones forward; some clove, banana and peppery yeast emerges, in the middle; spicy tones linger, through the finish, though the malt fades
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation
Overall: A pleasant drinker that doesn't quite match up to the best of the style from the old country
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy amber color with a fluffy two finger head; decent retention and a few shards of lace
Smell: Modest Belgian yeast aroma with peppery phenols waft above the bready malts and apple/pear fruit tones
Taste: Crusty bread with apple and pear tones forward; some clove, banana and peppery yeast emerges, in the middle; spicy tones linger, through the finish, though the malt fades
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation
Overall: A pleasant drinker that doesn't quite match up to the best of the style from the old country
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4.1/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
An easy pour from a 12-oz. bottle yields a finger of long lived creamy off-white froth with sticky Polynesian islands of lace. Hazy orange-copper color with small rising bubbles, cloudy and translucent if not decanted. Toasted malts, apple pie spice, yeasty bread and mild hops greet the nose. The taste is semi-sweet-almost full sweet with mild bitterness. The toasted malt is replaced by caramel malt, grape and apple add sweetness. Light and fast at the finish, a semi sweet and spicy aftertaste lingers. Medium-light body, plenty of carbonation throughout. Alcohol is well hidden. Smooth and light with a big malt bill.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
An easy pour from a 12-oz. bottle yields a finger of long lived creamy off-white froth with sticky Polynesian islands of lace. Hazy orange-copper color with small rising bubbles, cloudy and translucent if not decanted. Toasted malts, apple pie spice, yeasty bread and mild hops greet the nose. The taste is semi-sweet-almost full sweet with mild bitterness. The toasted malt is replaced by caramel malt, grape and apple add sweetness. Light and fast at the finish, a semi sweet and spicy aftertaste lingers. Medium-light body, plenty of carbonation throughout. Alcohol is well hidden. Smooth and light with a big malt bill.
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3.82/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Definitely one of the more true to style Belgian pales being made in the US. Has that nice doughy maltiness and lightly fruity yeast ester , although the appearance could be worked on as there was minimal head retention or lacing.
77/100
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Definitely one of the more true to style Belgian pales being made in the US. Has that nice doughy maltiness and lightly fruity yeast ester , although the appearance could be worked on as there was minimal head retention or lacing.
77/100
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4.3/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
5 oz pour on tap. A well-balanced, flavorful Belgian pale ale. Dark fruit/banana esters with a lightly floral hop presence. No alcohol detectable. IMO a beer like this should be the standard for Belgian pale ale (for some reason I am not a fan of Duvel).
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
5 oz pour on tap. A well-balanced, flavorful Belgian pale ale. Dark fruit/banana esters with a lightly floral hop presence. No alcohol detectable. IMO a beer like this should be the standard for Belgian pale ale (for some reason I am not a fan of Duvel).
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3.4/5 rDev -15.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
This one explodes out of the bottle on opening, so be prepared. Big short-lived head to a ring and partial film. Slightly hazed honey gold. Not too bad on the nose. Some decent fruitiness, wheat, and yeast. Some appetizing funk. Diswppointing on the flavour side. Ery thin bodied. Some bitterness, spice, fruit (orange). Bitter finish.
Lacks depth overall, no complexity, none of the earm goodness that will envelope you out of a proper trappist or wheat beer. Just a poser.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
This one explodes out of the bottle on opening, so be prepared. Big short-lived head to a ring and partial film. Slightly hazed honey gold. Not too bad on the nose. Some decent fruitiness, wheat, and yeast. Some appetizing funk. Diswppointing on the flavour side. Ery thin bodied. Some bitterness, spice, fruit (orange). Bitter finish.
Lacks depth overall, no complexity, none of the earm goodness that will envelope you out of a proper trappist or wheat beer. Just a poser.
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3.84/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
A - Pours a hazy honeycomb colour with a White head that reduces slowly and laces
S - Orange fruits apple and citrus malts quite fragrant
T - Oh nice balanced flavours of mandarin, hoppy undertones with a sweet bitter back end
M - Medium body with medium carbonation
O - This is very much a decent stab at a Belgian Trappist beer. This is not a Westmalle or Achel Extra but it does sit nicely within the Trappist beer family
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
A - Pours a hazy honeycomb colour with a White head that reduces slowly and laces
S - Orange fruits apple and citrus malts quite fragrant
T - Oh nice balanced flavours of mandarin, hoppy undertones with a sweet bitter back end
M - Medium body with medium carbonation
O - This is very much a decent stab at a Belgian Trappist beer. This is not a Westmalle or Achel Extra but it does sit nicely within the Trappist beer family
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3.94/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Muddy orange body, hazy but still semi-transparent. The head is minimal and short, with small bubble lacing, but quick to fade to nothing.
S - Sweet malt, fruity notes of applesauce and pears, a bit of mustiness suggesting wet leaves.
T - Opens with tart clean malty notes, a middle of apple flesh and pears, and a finish that suggest apple skin and steeped tea.
M - Very light weight, moderate carbonation, and a lingering prickliness in the finish.
O - Interesting and largely successful beer. The result is quite drinkable, satisfying, but does not quite reach the nuance and craft of a Belgian Trappist.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Muddy orange body, hazy but still semi-transparent. The head is minimal and short, with small bubble lacing, but quick to fade to nothing.
S - Sweet malt, fruity notes of applesauce and pears, a bit of mustiness suggesting wet leaves.
T - Opens with tart clean malty notes, a middle of apple flesh and pears, and a finish that suggest apple skin and steeped tea.
M - Very light weight, moderate carbonation, and a lingering prickliness in the finish.
O - Interesting and largely successful beer. The result is quite drinkable, satisfying, but does not quite reach the nuance and craft of a Belgian Trappist.
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3.77/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I think this is a harmless and kind of nice attempt of the style, but it's not even in the same ballpark as the style's originators. Yes, it has a little funk and saisson elements (more so than anything trappist), but not the way it's supposed to be, as it's way too thin. Still, it is enjoyable enough to try a few times.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I think this is a harmless and kind of nice attempt of the style, but it's not even in the same ballpark as the style's originators. Yes, it has a little funk and saisson elements (more so than anything trappist), but not the way it's supposed to be, as it's way too thin. Still, it is enjoyable enough to try a few times.
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4.06/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
11.2oz bottle bb 4/19/20 poured into a Spencer Trappist chalice at fridge temp 6.5% ABV. The beer pours hefe-hazy orange amber in color with persistent nearly white head. Constant bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass to replenish the head. The aroma is clovey, but mild, with a touch of ripe tree fruit and horseblanket. The taste follows the nose with cloves, but a bit of sweet pale malt sneaks in first. There is a touch of pear, apple and grape in the taste as well. The mouthfeel is sharp, but not acidic, barely tart and highly carbonated. The finish is dry plus remaining nuetral as the minor hop bitterness is only enough to cancel any residual malt sweetness. Overall, very good.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
11.2oz bottle bb 4/19/20 poured into a Spencer Trappist chalice at fridge temp 6.5% ABV. The beer pours hefe-hazy orange amber in color with persistent nearly white head. Constant bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass to replenish the head. The aroma is clovey, but mild, with a touch of ripe tree fruit and horseblanket. The taste follows the nose with cloves, but a bit of sweet pale malt sneaks in first. There is a touch of pear, apple and grape in the taste as well. The mouthfeel is sharp, but not acidic, barely tart and highly carbonated. The finish is dry plus remaining nuetral as the minor hop bitterness is only enough to cancel any residual malt sweetness. Overall, very good.
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4.91/5 rDev +21.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Look: One finger white head, hazy yellow body.
Smell : See below.
Taste : Belgian yeast, banana, mild malt presence. Mostly esters.
Feel : Medium body and carbonation, mildly dry finish.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Look: One finger white head, hazy yellow body.
Smell : See below.
Taste : Belgian yeast, banana, mild malt presence. Mostly esters.
Feel : Medium body and carbonation, mildly dry finish.
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4.9/5 rDev +21.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a Pint Defiance tulip. The body is a cloudy orange hue, with a finger white head. Aromas consist of apple, pear, orange, baking spices, and a bit of cake. Flavors are the same. The feel is medium bodied with high carbonation.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a Pint Defiance tulip. The body is a cloudy orange hue, with a finger white head. Aromas consist of apple, pear, orange, baking spices, and a bit of cake. Flavors are the same. The feel is medium bodied with high carbonation.
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3/5 rDev -25.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
With a BB of 11/1/20.
Very citrusy on the nose. Initially like Duvel, both in flavour and in colour, but more like a cheap knockoff. An odd savoury aftertaste mixed in with almost unatural citrus notes. Every other sip is enjoyable, the others not so much.
Have to say that was rather odd. Perhaps much better when fresh.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
With a BB of 11/1/20.
Very citrusy on the nose. Initially like Duvel, both in flavour and in colour, but more like a cheap knockoff. An odd savoury aftertaste mixed in with almost unatural citrus notes. Every other sip is enjoyable, the others not so much.
Have to say that was rather odd. Perhaps much better when fresh.
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4.18/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 11.2-ounce bottle into a tulip glass. This unfiltered ale pours an ever-so-slightly cloudy golden yellow color, with a one-finger white head that settles after only a moment or so. Aroma is fruity and floral, with notes of banana, coriander, and clove. These characteristics are even more prominent on the palate. There is some pleasant bitterness on the back end, though it is quite understated. The finish is bone dry and a little astringent. As I was drinking this, I imagined that it would make a fantastic table beer. Even so, it is delicious and very drinkable on its own.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 11.2-ounce bottle into a tulip glass. This unfiltered ale pours an ever-so-slightly cloudy golden yellow color, with a one-finger white head that settles after only a moment or so. Aroma is fruity and floral, with notes of banana, coriander, and clove. These characteristics are even more prominent on the palate. There is some pleasant bitterness on the back end, though it is quite understated. The finish is bone dry and a little astringent. As I was drinking this, I imagined that it would make a fantastic table beer. Even so, it is delicious and very drinkable on its own.
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4.08/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Hazy amber pour. Massive foamy white head. Great retention and lacing. Lots of sediment at the bottom of the pour.
S: Malty and sweet... sugar and spice and lots of things nice. Light fruit.. raisin bread.
T/F: Sweet toasted grains.... caramel and honey. Mild spice.... plum and raisin. Belgian character for sure. Aggressively carbonated... a bit too much so. Medium to light bodied. The finish is more honey and spice.
O: A surprisingly flavorful American Trappist Ale. Clearly Belgian inspired... good flavor and really enjoyable. A worthy pickup.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Hazy amber pour. Massive foamy white head. Great retention and lacing. Lots of sediment at the bottom of the pour.
S: Malty and sweet... sugar and spice and lots of things nice. Light fruit.. raisin bread.
T/F: Sweet toasted grains.... caramel and honey. Mild spice.... plum and raisin. Belgian character for sure. Aggressively carbonated... a bit too much so. Medium to light bodied. The finish is more honey and spice.
O: A surprisingly flavorful American Trappist Ale. Clearly Belgian inspired... good flavor and really enjoyable. A worthy pickup.
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3.66/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sweet Belgian yeast aroma, hints of candy and light fruit. Pours a slightly hazy goldish/amber with a dusting of white head. Starts with a touch of grain, and some light fruit, a touch of candi in the middle, and finishes with earthy hops and spice. Fairly dry, and very drinkable. A solid Belgian Pale.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sweet Belgian yeast aroma, hints of candy and light fruit. Pours a slightly hazy goldish/amber with a dusting of white head. Starts with a touch of grain, and some light fruit, a touch of candi in the middle, and finishes with earthy hops and spice. Fairly dry, and very drinkable. A solid Belgian Pale.
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4.17/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle from wee Beer Shop, Glasgow (£4.20):
Quite an interesting beer that definitely seemed like a Belgian offering as I worked my way down the glass, it was quite a lively & fresh beer that had a fluffy, light feel to it throughout. There was a nice balance to this one with some banana sweetness working well with the background fruits & yeast as well as some touches of funk featuring a little later on. The beer was definitely a good one that I enjoyed & wouldn't mind picking up again or, better still trying one of the breweries other offerings.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle from wee Beer Shop, Glasgow (£4.20):
Quite an interesting beer that definitely seemed like a Belgian offering as I worked my way down the glass, it was quite a lively & fresh beer that had a fluffy, light feel to it throughout. There was a nice balance to this one with some banana sweetness working well with the background fruits & yeast as well as some touches of funk featuring a little later on. The beer was definitely a good one that I enjoyed & wouldn't mind picking up again or, better still trying one of the breweries other offerings.
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4.15/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750 mL caged and corked bottle from the LCBO; best before Jul 28 2019 and served slightly chilled. Never thought I'd see this in my neck of the woods. Reviewed on my phone.
Pours a bright, clear golden yellow hue, crowned with a regal-looking layer of puffy, sparkling white foam. Though resilient, it does steadily erode over the course of the next ten minutes, eventually leaving behind a creamy cap and collar. A smooth, even band of lace is also deposited; this one definitely looks the part. Its fruity, yeasty aromatics are instantly appealing to me - orchard fruits such as red apple and pear are showcased alongside hints of white grape, peach and banana. Slight suggestions of spice.
A well-constructed BPA with a very approachable flavour profile. Grainy pale malt and a light bready sweetness soon give way to the fruity aspects noted in the aroma - ripe banana is perhaps the most noticeable, but this is balanced out with notes of apple and pear flesh, as well as subtle accents of grape, apricot and orange peel. Finishes with a spicy kick of clove and white pepper, with an aftertaste that leans a bit yeasty. More or less medium in body, with assertively prickly carbonation that gives this patersbier a crisp and refreshing mouthfeel. Effortlessly easy to knock back, but this is a quality brew that is tasty enough to be worth taking your time to appreciate.
[Updated Oct 16 2019]
330 mL bottle from last year's Xmas sampler; best before Aug 9 2020 and served barely chilled. I'm comparing this one side-by-side with St. Bernardus Extra 4 and Chimay Dorée to see which patersbier comes out on top - this one in particular had a rough start with its unexplained gusher. Orchard fruit, spice and banana on the nose; the flavour is along the same lines, but with a grainy, bready malt backbone and some clove spiciness at the finish. I still think Spencer's Trappist Ale is a good beer, but I may have overrated it just a little bit in my original review.
Final Grade: 4.15, an A-
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750 mL caged and corked bottle from the LCBO; best before Jul 28 2019 and served slightly chilled. Never thought I'd see this in my neck of the woods. Reviewed on my phone.
Pours a bright, clear golden yellow hue, crowned with a regal-looking layer of puffy, sparkling white foam. Though resilient, it does steadily erode over the course of the next ten minutes, eventually leaving behind a creamy cap and collar. A smooth, even band of lace is also deposited; this one definitely looks the part. Its fruity, yeasty aromatics are instantly appealing to me - orchard fruits such as red apple and pear are showcased alongside hints of white grape, peach and banana. Slight suggestions of spice.
A well-constructed BPA with a very approachable flavour profile. Grainy pale malt and a light bready sweetness soon give way to the fruity aspects noted in the aroma - ripe banana is perhaps the most noticeable, but this is balanced out with notes of apple and pear flesh, as well as subtle accents of grape, apricot and orange peel. Finishes with a spicy kick of clove and white pepper, with an aftertaste that leans a bit yeasty. More or less medium in body, with assertively prickly carbonation that gives this patersbier a crisp and refreshing mouthfeel. Effortlessly easy to knock back, but this is a quality brew that is tasty enough to be worth taking your time to appreciate.
[Updated Oct 16 2019]
330 mL bottle from last year's Xmas sampler; best before Aug 9 2020 and served barely chilled. I'm comparing this one side-by-side with St. Bernardus Extra 4 and Chimay Dorée to see which patersbier comes out on top - this one in particular had a rough start with its unexplained gusher. Orchard fruit, spice and banana on the nose; the flavour is along the same lines, but with a grainy, bready malt backbone and some clove spiciness at the finish. I still think Spencer's Trappist Ale is a good beer, but I may have overrated it just a little bit in my original review.
Final Grade: 4.15, an A-
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3.77/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from bottle to pilsner glass. Hazy golden orange color with a finger of off-white head. Nice aromas of bready malt, apple, pear, peach syrup, spice. Flavors are fruity upfront, with banana, pear, green apple, bready malt, and peppery/spice zip on the finish. Clean. Medium feel.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from bottle to pilsner glass. Hazy golden orange color with a finger of off-white head. Nice aromas of bready malt, apple, pear, peach syrup, spice. Flavors are fruity upfront, with banana, pear, green apple, bready malt, and peppery/spice zip on the finish. Clean. Medium feel.
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2.77/5 rDev -31.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Orange, hazy. Half finger of a quickly vanishing foam.
In the semll a yeasty maltiness, wiith fruity notes. A bit too yeasty.
Fruity smell, quite sweet, peaches, hints of melon. Again too much yeast. Sugary.
Well. Trappist, ok. But quality... Definitely too fruity and yeasty.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Orange, hazy. Half finger of a quickly vanishing foam.
In the semll a yeasty maltiness, wiith fruity notes. A bit too yeasty.
Fruity smell, quite sweet, peaches, hints of melon. Again too much yeast. Sugary.
Well. Trappist, ok. But quality... Definitely too fruity and yeasty.
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4.17/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Good solid Bel. Pale Ale all around. Spicy aroma and flavor with the clean malt showing in both too.
Attractive with a largely clear golden with a thin look and a large white head. Body with a prickly sharp character and a clean semi-dry finish. Slight alcohol warmth. Pleasing.
Poured in my favorite tulip.
thanks T.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Good solid Bel. Pale Ale all around. Spicy aroma and flavor with the clean malt showing in both too.
Attractive with a largely clear golden with a thin look and a large white head. Body with a prickly sharp character and a clean semi-dry finish. Slight alcohol warmth. Pleasing.
Poured in my favorite tulip.
thanks T.
322 characters
Spencer Trappist Ale from The Spencer Brewery
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
1280 ratings
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