Nello's Blond
De Proefbrouwerij

I drank this beer at a heated terrace in Antwerpen. It is served in a tall glass and has a murky orange color with a creamy head that leaves some nice lacing.

Smell is spicy with some coriander notes. The yeast is very predominant and is fruity with peach and lychee notes. Malt is light biscuit.

Taste is fresh with the fruitiness jumping out, again with peach and lychee fruit. Some hop notes that are citric, probably Styrian Goldings. The malt is biscuity and tastes even a bit like vanilla and light caramel. Great beer among all the Inbev beers in Antwerpen.

The local brew (made by Brouwerij De Arend in Hoboken, Antwerpen according to the label), from the 33cl bottle bought at Albo Drinks. Not sure I agree with the classification as Belgian Strong Ale - to my palate this is much closer to a Witbier style (lots of coriander, some clove, other spices, ...), but equally reminds me of a Leffe Blond (again clove, vanilla, sweet very Belgian yeast). Pours a very pale, slightly hazy orange, nice white head of foam. Carbonation too high for my liking, taking away from the mellow, refreshing profile of this rather sweet brew (too harsh).

Not bad, not especially good - though definitely decently made.

 

 

 

Label indicates that it was brewed by Brouwerij de Arend in Hoboken, Belgium. Purchased in Japan.

Large, lively head; fairly hazy, golden-amber body; substantial lacing. Aroma includes apple, pear, mango, clove; subtle malt sweetness; distinct diacetyl. Initial flavor is bitter orange, pineapple, with coppery bitterness only at first; smooth alcohol. As I progress, honey-like malt backbone becomes more apparent; fruitiness diminishes. Medium body, frothy carbonation, carbonic bite.

The complexity of this beer is pleasing, not only in its variety of flavors and aromas, but in its changing character as it is consumed. The fruity flavors were initially apparent but gradually faded as the sweet, honey-like malt character took over about halfway through.

 

 

brown 33cl bottle with loads of Japanese on the rear label (I bought it in Belgium!). Best before 29 Sept 2012, drank as my second beer during one of my 'random beer tasting' evenings in Aug 2010.

Poured into a stemmed 'Hoegaarden Grand Cru' tulip glass. Dull light orange body with a large snowy white head sat on top and trying to get out the glass. Most of the sediment stayed in the bottle, but some managed to get out, hence the dullness of the colour (maybe).

So, so Belgian in aroma and initial taste: somehow the yeast esters just tell you that you've got a Belgian beer in your hand, this certainly did.

It is fairly sweet both in smell and flavour, clean tasting and very drinkable. All Spice and summer flower garden (sweet pea and daisies) sort of feel to it.

This beer came out best in the evenings scoring, against some other good beers.

Slightly hazy golden/orange. Lots of yeast floaters. Creamy 2 finger white head. Good retention and lacing.

Aroma is rather sweet, musty and a decent amount of citrus.

Taste is sweet, citrus, malt and some light hops.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, creamy and cleansing.

Overall, this beer is quite drinkable and enjoyable. Too bad I only had one bottle that was bought in Japan.

Orange/blonde color, slightly hazy. A lot of a white head, quite compact. Yeast chunks wander in the beer.
At the smell orange flowers, white flowers, a touch of honey, camomile. More floreal than fruity. It has also a sweet touch, but not too much. Pleasant smell.
The taste has more or less the same characteristics of floreal with honey touch. Quite fresh taste. Some sweetness, but well balanced by a backing bitterness.
Average to light in body.
In the aftertaste a good bitterness, and then again sweetness. Good balance.

BB 03-08-09. Brewed for Brouwerij de Arend 1896 Hoboken whatever this means. Nice white head that stays forever and a golden beer with some particles in it. Nose is malty, phenolic yeastarome, quiet spicy though alltogether not as strong as it may sound. During drinking this showed more and more a bavarian wheatcarracter though missing bananna's Taste is also full malty, dry taste, well though moderate bittered and overall certainly something else as the regular. Balanced and good mouthfeel, well carbonated and overall certainly an enjoyable brew that drinks easy and just fine.