Belzebuth | Brasserie Grain d' Orge (Brasserie Jeanne d'Arc SA)
Brewed by:
Brasserie Grain d' Orge (Brasserie Jeanne d'Arc SA)
France
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
None provided.
Reviews: 292
| Ratings: 472
3.51/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a murky ice tea brown color with a small ivory cap that falls away immediately but leaves decent legs when swirled. Aroma is caramel and honey. Flavor is very sweet (think of booze soaked baklava) with the honey being joined by almonds. Feel is medium to thick bodied with low carbonation. Overall a decent boozy brew.
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look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a murky ice tea brown color with a small ivory cap that falls away immediately but leaves decent legs when swirled. Aroma is caramel and honey. Flavor is very sweet (think of booze soaked baklava) with the honey being joined by almonds. Feel is medium to thick bodied with low carbonation. Overall a decent boozy brew.
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4.32/5 rDev +26.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This is one boozy beer! Super sweet and quite viscous, just the way I like my strong Belgians. Hops are very faint and there are a lot of sugary aromas and aftertastes
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This is one boozy beer! Super sweet and quite viscous, just the way I like my strong Belgians. Hops are very faint and there are a lot of sugary aromas and aftertastes
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3.34/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Alcohol naturally comes through in the taste. Decent flavor hides under the alcohol burn, but the 13% ABV is the most evident thing here. Still drinkable though....
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Alcohol naturally comes through in the taste. Decent flavor hides under the alcohol burn, but the 13% ABV is the most evident thing here. Still drinkable though....
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4.15/5 rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I was not expecting a whole lot based on the reviews below, but I was pleasantly surprised. Malty and a little sweet, kind of reminds me of a Dopplebock something that should end with the word "boch." :-) in all seriousness though, I thought this was really good and would definitely buy again
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I was not expecting a whole lot based on the reviews below, but I was pleasantly surprised. Malty and a little sweet, kind of reminds me of a Dopplebock something that should end with the word "boch." :-) in all seriousness though, I thought this was really good and would definitely buy again
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3.28/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Best by 9/19/15.
Pours a hazy dark orange with a foamy tan head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, honey, earth, spice, yeast, and slight peanut butter aromas. Taste is much the same with peanut butter, medicinal, honey, earth, and spice flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of earth and spice bitterness and an alcohol kick on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and sticky mouthfeel. Overall, this is an above average beer with some odd peanut butter and medicinal qualities and a booziness that is noticeable after every sip.
Serving type: bottle.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Best by 9/19/15.
Pours a hazy dark orange with a foamy tan head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, honey, earth, spice, yeast, and slight peanut butter aromas. Taste is much the same with peanut butter, medicinal, honey, earth, and spice flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of earth and spice bitterness and an alcohol kick on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and sticky mouthfeel. Overall, this is an above average beer with some odd peanut butter and medicinal qualities and a booziness that is noticeable after every sip.
Serving type: bottle.
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2.32/5 rDev -32.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.25
A: Body is a scary dull brown, approaching turbid with some sediment swirling around the loose carbonation. Foggy head, spots of lace. The bottle artwork is cool, but tarnished by a tacky "13% Alc Vol" sticker on the neck, as if it wants to be a novelty brew only.
S: Wow, not bad. Prune malts, perhaps a sweeter fruit as well, a bit of grain and yeast. Salty olive. Could be more powerful, but still appealing. Only a hint of the booze that I know is in there.
T: All those great aromas are now being smothered by the alcohol. On the tongue it isn't hot or even warm, but it does mute all the other things going on (mostly prune). Watered down. Retro-olfaction does bring in some heat, drying my throat like smoke.
F: Light-medium body, fairly calm, sticky.
O: *Sigh*. I was hoping this would be a hidden gem, but it wasn't. Perhaps the lower alcohol versions of this are worth it, but the main point (enjoying the flavor) was totally ruined by that ridiculous alcohol presence. I had a glimmer of hope upon smelling, but I quickly realized it to be a mirage on the first sip. If this was any bigger than an 8.4oz bottle the remainder would be poured. On the bright side, it got me tipsy quickly, with only one of those "head-shaking eyes-clinching" exhales that typically comes with doing shots.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.25
A: Body is a scary dull brown, approaching turbid with some sediment swirling around the loose carbonation. Foggy head, spots of lace. The bottle artwork is cool, but tarnished by a tacky "13% Alc Vol" sticker on the neck, as if it wants to be a novelty brew only.
S: Wow, not bad. Prune malts, perhaps a sweeter fruit as well, a bit of grain and yeast. Salty olive. Could be more powerful, but still appealing. Only a hint of the booze that I know is in there.
T: All those great aromas are now being smothered by the alcohol. On the tongue it isn't hot or even warm, but it does mute all the other things going on (mostly prune). Watered down. Retro-olfaction does bring in some heat, drying my throat like smoke.
F: Light-medium body, fairly calm, sticky.
O: *Sigh*. I was hoping this would be a hidden gem, but it wasn't. Perhaps the lower alcohol versions of this are worth it, but the main point (enjoying the flavor) was totally ruined by that ridiculous alcohol presence. I had a glimmer of hope upon smelling, but I quickly realized it to be a mirage on the first sip. If this was any bigger than an 8.4oz bottle the remainder would be poured. On the bright side, it got me tipsy quickly, with only one of those "head-shaking eyes-clinching" exhales that typically comes with doing shots.
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3.69/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25
Much better then I thought it would be after reading so much negative feedback on it. Smelled a little off putting but tasted just fine to me. Pleasantly surprised!
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25
Much better then I thought it would be after reading so much negative feedback on it. Smelled a little off putting but tasted just fine to me. Pleasantly surprised!
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3.6/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Cloudy light copper in color. The nose is very yeasty with a touch of funk. Big Belgian funkiness in the flavor profile. Everything else is overwhelmed by the funkiness.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Cloudy light copper in color. The nose is very yeasty with a touch of funk. Big Belgian funkiness in the flavor profile. Everything else is overwhelmed by the funkiness.
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3.91/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle into a snifter
Aroma- Fruit, malt and alcohol
Appearance- The color is a dark golden yellow and almost no head
Taste- Has a fruit taste and after the second sip the alcohol started to become readily noticeable. Not a bad flavor.
Palate- A medium-bodied beer with a low amount of carbonation.
Overall- A pretty good beer but it is not a beer that people will want to drink on a regular basis. it is definitely one that beer-fanatics will want to try.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle into a snifter
Aroma- Fruit, malt and alcohol
Appearance- The color is a dark golden yellow and almost no head
Taste- Has a fruit taste and after the second sip the alcohol started to become readily noticeable. Not a bad flavor.
Palate- A medium-bodied beer with a low amount of carbonation.
Overall- A pretty good beer but it is not a beer that people will want to drink on a regular basis. it is definitely one that beer-fanatics will want to try.
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3.75/5 rDev +9.6%
I seem to like this a bit more than the crowd. What others found boring, I thought was a little subtlety. To me, it wasn't boozy (maybe I'm impervious to high ABV). It seemed like a good Belgian ale, a little sweet, pretty enjoyable.
Don't seek it out, but if you want to give it a try, it's worth your time.
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I seem to like this a bit more than the crowd. What others found boring, I thought was a little subtlety. To me, it wasn't boozy (maybe I'm impervious to high ABV). It seemed like a good Belgian ale, a little sweet, pretty enjoyable.
Don't seek it out, but if you want to give it a try, it's worth your time.
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2.32/5 rDev -32.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Oh my god is this a hard beer to drink. Basically it has all the fixings of a decent Belgian: wheat, banana, cloves, lemon and some malt. But it goes rapidly downhill from there. Basically, the best way I can put it is pour a small glass of an ok Belgian, pour a tablespoon of sugar in it, and then pour a shot of cheap vodka in it. Pretty much sums up what is going on in this beer. Overly sweet and super boozey, sticky and hard to drink. I'm glad I got it because this beer had always made me curious, but my curiosity has been piqued.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Oh my god is this a hard beer to drink. Basically it has all the fixings of a decent Belgian: wheat, banana, cloves, lemon and some malt. But it goes rapidly downhill from there. Basically, the best way I can put it is pour a small glass of an ok Belgian, pour a tablespoon of sugar in it, and then pour a shot of cheap vodka in it. Pretty much sums up what is going on in this beer. Overly sweet and super boozey, sticky and hard to drink. I'm glad I got it because this beer had always made me curious, but my curiosity has been piqued.
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2.54/5 rDev -25.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
It's a lot of marketing; trust me I have a lot of experience with American Malt Beers...this is a French equivalent of a 40oz.
I will give it credit for a slightly better taste for it's %13 alcohol content. Most American 40s top out around %8. However, the price makes this slight advantage negligible.
If you are a an aficionado of high percentage beers try it once and you'll see why you won't bother trying it again.
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look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
It's a lot of marketing; trust me I have a lot of experience with American Malt Beers...this is a French equivalent of a 40oz.
I will give it credit for a slightly better taste for it's %13 alcohol content. Most American 40s top out around %8. However, the price makes this slight advantage negligible.
If you are a an aficionado of high percentage beers try it once and you'll see why you won't bother trying it again.
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2.92/5 rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Golden body, some amber hues, very transparent, thin white head and lace. Champagne like carbonation makes it look very appealing.
Definitely smells of the high alcohol content, some sweet sugar and fruit smells as well.
The alcohol is very present in the taste and very warming. It is a little spicy to begin with but that immediately falls away as the intense sweetness of the beer overtakes the palate. Very very sweet. It has some fruitiness to it and what little hops that are present leave a nice clean feel and aftertaste. A little citrusy. All of the above, however, are drowned out by the sweetness that powers the beer.
Simply put, this just isn't my kind of beer. I think it is well executed and a good treat, but I barely finished the small bottle I had. It was just too sweet for me.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Golden body, some amber hues, very transparent, thin white head and lace. Champagne like carbonation makes it look very appealing.
Definitely smells of the high alcohol content, some sweet sugar and fruit smells as well.
The alcohol is very present in the taste and very warming. It is a little spicy to begin with but that immediately falls away as the intense sweetness of the beer overtakes the palate. Very very sweet. It has some fruitiness to it and what little hops that are present leave a nice clean feel and aftertaste. A little citrusy. All of the above, however, are drowned out by the sweetness that powers the beer.
Simply put, this just isn't my kind of beer. I think it is well executed and a good treat, but I barely finished the small bottle I had. It was just too sweet for me.
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3.29/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Amber color with a thin head, but with a constant retention.
Aroma is not as alcoholic as I initially expected; notes of caramel, malt, Cointreau and floral hops.
Very sweet flavor with notes of oranges soaked in alcohol, white wine, minerals, caramel and peat.
Light to medium body with low carbonation. Alcohol of13% abv feels lower.
This is much better than I expected, I thought this would be a very unpleasant experience such as a bad Malt Liquor.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Amber color with a thin head, but with a constant retention.
Aroma is not as alcoholic as I initially expected; notes of caramel, malt, Cointreau and floral hops.
Very sweet flavor with notes of oranges soaked in alcohol, white wine, minerals, caramel and peat.
Light to medium body with low carbonation. Alcohol of13% abv feels lower.
This is much better than I expected, I thought this would be a very unpleasant experience such as a bad Malt Liquor.
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2.96/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
A: The beer is clear dark golden yellow in color with some hues of amber and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with delicate lacing on the surface and a thin collar of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of apples and malts are present in the nose along with some slight hints of sweetness.
T: The taste starts off like the smell but as soon as it starts warming up, moderately strong flavors of alcohol are noticeable in the finish and the aftertaste. Some notes of Belgian candi sugars and associated hints of sweetness are perceptible.
M: It feels a bit more than medium-bodied on the palate and has a low to moderate amount of carbonation with a little warming from the alcohol.
O: This beer doesn't taste nearly as strong as its alcohol content, but seems like a Belgian-inspired version of an American Malt Liquor and something you drink to get quickly buzzed.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
A: The beer is clear dark golden yellow in color with some hues of amber and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with delicate lacing on the surface and a thin collar of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of apples and malts are present in the nose along with some slight hints of sweetness.
T: The taste starts off like the smell but as soon as it starts warming up, moderately strong flavors of alcohol are noticeable in the finish and the aftertaste. Some notes of Belgian candi sugars and associated hints of sweetness are perceptible.
M: It feels a bit more than medium-bodied on the palate and has a low to moderate amount of carbonation with a little warming from the alcohol.
O: This beer doesn't taste nearly as strong as its alcohol content, but seems like a Belgian-inspired version of an American Malt Liquor and something you drink to get quickly buzzed.
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3.73/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
This beer was a special order for a customer that changed his mind, so it was sitting in the warehouse waiting to be picked back up from the vendor. Another customer inquired about this beer and I remembered the product from the initial request. Amazed that we even able to get it, let alone have it in the store, the customer purchased the case and gave a pack to the store to try. I must admit that this is an interesting beer from the French. It doesn't appear to be much of anything special from the pour or nose; however, it reminds me of a delicate Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France. Elegance in an 8.4 fluid ounce bottle.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
This beer was a special order for a customer that changed his mind, so it was sitting in the warehouse waiting to be picked back up from the vendor. Another customer inquired about this beer and I remembered the product from the initial request. Amazed that we even able to get it, let alone have it in the store, the customer purchased the case and gave a pack to the store to try. I must admit that this is an interesting beer from the French. It doesn't appear to be much of anything special from the pour or nose; however, it reminds me of a delicate Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France. Elegance in an 8.4 fluid ounce bottle.
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3.21/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
(Previous review, transferred from beer journal)
Belzebuth: French, 13% alcohol by volume, blonde ale; Appearance: yellowish amber; Smell: wheat with a hint of malt; Taste/Mouthfeel: slightly bitter wheat ale with a hint of malt flavor; decent.
Just a boring wheat beer with a higher alcohol content.
Poured into a pint glass.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
(Previous review, transferred from beer journal)
Belzebuth: French, 13% alcohol by volume, blonde ale; Appearance: yellowish amber; Smell: wheat with a hint of malt; Taste/Mouthfeel: slightly bitter wheat ale with a hint of malt flavor; decent.
Just a boring wheat beer with a higher alcohol content.
Poured into a pint glass.
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3.31/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours dark fizzy yellow/orange with minimal head.
Smell is boozy.. Rum and aging fruits. Sweet.
Taste is malty, bready, boozy. Very sweet. Sharp and crisp. Leaves a lingering taste on the tongue, spicy.
Not much bitterness at all. It’s not bad.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours dark fizzy yellow/orange with minimal head.
Smell is boozy.. Rum and aging fruits. Sweet.
Taste is malty, bready, boozy. Very sweet. Sharp and crisp. Leaves a lingering taste on the tongue, spicy.
Not much bitterness at all. It’s not bad.
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1.89/5 rDev -44.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
this beer has been sitting on the warm shelf of the store I work at since I started...close to two years ago (9/1/11) and was sitting on the warm self well before then, has a date on the bottle, don't know its the "bottled on" or "best by" date...(I hope it that former) of 28.09.09. that September 28th 2009, so this beer is well over 3 and a half years old at least!
appearance: unlike anything I've seen before, clear, filtered, no head at all but looks like it's be an off white, but it's the color that really gets me on this one...it's like...a greyish brown color...?! weird, maybe I shouldn't drink this. but i'm so curious...hope it doesn't kill this cat!
smell: not bad, not good but not bad smells like sweet booziness with some sourness and caramel.
taste: ha! had my wife try this before I took a sip, (she knows nothing about beer but does appreciate a good beer from time to time) she said "taste like grape juice, weird funky grape juice...ICK! its sour! really sour!" that's funny! sorry honey...hahaha. and now my turn... OMG! YEP! drain pour! not only that, she couldn't have hit the nail on the head anymore! exactly what she said!!
I think I need to find a much fresher specimen for this one!
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look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
this beer has been sitting on the warm shelf of the store I work at since I started...close to two years ago (9/1/11) and was sitting on the warm self well before then, has a date on the bottle, don't know its the "bottled on" or "best by" date...(I hope it that former) of 28.09.09. that September 28th 2009, so this beer is well over 3 and a half years old at least!
appearance: unlike anything I've seen before, clear, filtered, no head at all but looks like it's be an off white, but it's the color that really gets me on this one...it's like...a greyish brown color...?! weird, maybe I shouldn't drink this. but i'm so curious...hope it doesn't kill this cat!
smell: not bad, not good but not bad smells like sweet booziness with some sourness and caramel.
taste: ha! had my wife try this before I took a sip, (she knows nothing about beer but does appreciate a good beer from time to time) she said "taste like grape juice, weird funky grape juice...ICK! its sour! really sour!" that's funny! sorry honey...hahaha. and now my turn... OMG! YEP! drain pour! not only that, she couldn't have hit the nail on the head anymore! exactly what she said!!
I think I need to find a much fresher specimen for this one!
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3.64/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear, golden color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of alcohol, pale malt, sweet malt, and slight hops. Fits the style of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with a low carbonation level. Tastes of strong alcohol, sweet malt, hint of pale malt, hint of hops, and a hint of sugar. Overall, alcohol was well blended for 13%, but not a complex beer.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear, golden color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of alcohol, pale malt, sweet malt, and slight hops. Fits the style of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with a low carbonation level. Tastes of strong alcohol, sweet malt, hint of pale malt, hint of hops, and a hint of sugar. Overall, alcohol was well blended for 13%, but not a complex beer.
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3.06/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
25 cl bottle poured into a Duvel snifter
A: Quite clear, orange coloured with a big, foamy, white head. Leaves a nice lacing in my glass.
S: Obvivious boozy smell combined with caramel. Vague fruity notes, pear and white grapes.
T: Follows the smell. Sweet caramel and some toffee with a lasting alcoholic heat. Some fruitiness comes through, reminiscent of white wine. almost no bitterness
M: Medium-bodied with low carbonation and a pronounced alcohol heat.
O: Not well balanced beer. The alcohol component is just too overpowering for me, which makes for an uninteresting beer. I don't think i'll buy this one again in the near future.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
25 cl bottle poured into a Duvel snifter
A: Quite clear, orange coloured with a big, foamy, white head. Leaves a nice lacing in my glass.
S: Obvivious boozy smell combined with caramel. Vague fruity notes, pear and white grapes.
T: Follows the smell. Sweet caramel and some toffee with a lasting alcoholic heat. Some fruitiness comes through, reminiscent of white wine. almost no bitterness
M: Medium-bodied with low carbonation and a pronounced alcohol heat.
O: Not well balanced beer. The alcohol component is just too overpowering for me, which makes for an uninteresting beer. I don't think i'll buy this one again in the near future.
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3.5/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
2007 bottling date @ 13% alcohol.
A: medium amber beer with dark sediment in the bottom of the bottle; some specks made it into the glass, floating, suspension-style in the beer; no head to speak of - probably owing to a slow, careful pour
S: whacked with a sweet malt aroma when I popped the cap - sweet toffee and caramel
T: sweet toffee and caramel, just like it smelled; slight booziness probably mellowed by its age
M: reminded me of a Samichlaus dopplebock - very thin and slick, miminal carbonation; imperceptible alcohol
O: this beer is much more like a doppelbock than a BSPA - an interesting beer, but not anything that wowed me - it had a rather flaccid quality to it actually; perhaps if it had been a more recent bottling date? But I suspect this falls into that category of beer that will appeal to certain tastes, and for me, it was worth the drink - for sure - but not something I would return to.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
2007 bottling date @ 13% alcohol.
A: medium amber beer with dark sediment in the bottom of the bottle; some specks made it into the glass, floating, suspension-style in the beer; no head to speak of - probably owing to a slow, careful pour
S: whacked with a sweet malt aroma when I popped the cap - sweet toffee and caramel
T: sweet toffee and caramel, just like it smelled; slight booziness probably mellowed by its age
M: reminded me of a Samichlaus dopplebock - very thin and slick, miminal carbonation; imperceptible alcohol
O: this beer is much more like a doppelbock than a BSPA - an interesting beer, but not anything that wowed me - it had a rather flaccid quality to it actually; perhaps if it had been a more recent bottling date? But I suspect this falls into that category of beer that will appeal to certain tastes, and for me, it was worth the drink - for sure - but not something I would return to.
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2.13/5 rDev -37.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
How about that 13% ABV? Although this beer has caught my eye more than a few times, I never had the courage to pull the trigger on this highly alcoholic French beer. The label says "bière de fermentation haute", meaning top fermening. However, I'm also been told Belzebuth switched to a lager yeast, according to a Belgian beer enthusiast. Anyways, 250 ml are coming, so let's start drinking:
ZZZ, uh, whut? Oh, yeah. Beer. Focus. The color looks rather dull. It's not quite orangey or bronze colored liquid, on the paler side. Despite the high alcohol level, there's a small layer of head staying on top and dots of lace stay around the glass. That nose....if you like rubbing alcohol and white grapes, you'll really dig this. To me, a neutral spirit with a slice of fruit may be a better option, but I digress....
There's taste alright. Lots of sweetness. To be fair, the first part of the sip isn't so bad, tasting like a reasonable strong beer. But with time, the sweetness gets more out of control. Awful tasting cough drops immediately hit and continue. Rubbing alchol kicks in, and kick in hard. Light biscuity note lingering in the aftertate along with those listed attributes. It's strong, but it doesn't feel like a "weigh me down" beer, and it's a little syrupy too. The alcohol is not shy to show itself, tasting of metals. More oddball metallic flavor comes around and sticks hard in the aftertaste.
A very disjointed strong ale. Some parts are tolerable, and the rest is just NO. I can't take much of this. I hope the fauna below is thirsty.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
How about that 13% ABV? Although this beer has caught my eye more than a few times, I never had the courage to pull the trigger on this highly alcoholic French beer. The label says "bière de fermentation haute", meaning top fermening. However, I'm also been told Belzebuth switched to a lager yeast, according to a Belgian beer enthusiast. Anyways, 250 ml are coming, so let's start drinking:
ZZZ, uh, whut? Oh, yeah. Beer. Focus. The color looks rather dull. It's not quite orangey or bronze colored liquid, on the paler side. Despite the high alcohol level, there's a small layer of head staying on top and dots of lace stay around the glass. That nose....if you like rubbing alcohol and white grapes, you'll really dig this. To me, a neutral spirit with a slice of fruit may be a better option, but I digress....
There's taste alright. Lots of sweetness. To be fair, the first part of the sip isn't so bad, tasting like a reasonable strong beer. But with time, the sweetness gets more out of control. Awful tasting cough drops immediately hit and continue. Rubbing alchol kicks in, and kick in hard. Light biscuity note lingering in the aftertate along with those listed attributes. It's strong, but it doesn't feel like a "weigh me down" beer, and it's a little syrupy too. The alcohol is not shy to show itself, tasting of metals. More oddball metallic flavor comes around and sticks hard in the aftertaste.
A very disjointed strong ale. Some parts are tolerable, and the rest is just NO. I can't take much of this. I hope the fauna below is thirsty.
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3.06/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
unusually sized 8.4oz bottle served in an oversized wineglass.
a murky amber/coppery pour yields very little head, so obviously not much in the way of retention or lacing; decent amount of sediment. not the most attractive of brews.
nose offers dark fruit with sweet malts and has a vinous like character to it; surprisingly little alcohol considering 13% ABV (which is prominently displayed on the neck of the bottle...). flavor is very sweet, borderline cloying. i'm again reminded of a white wine. sweet malt... yeast... hint of apple... BSPA is definitely not the first thing i think of.
overall, not bad. not great, either. almost astonishing how well-hidden the booze is; i get it in the finish/aftertaste but i thought it would be much more in-your-face. the more it warms the more i sour on it. good in small doses, perhaps (hence the small bottle?). at the end of the day i'm glad i tried it and i'd drink it again if offered, but i wouldn't buy it of my own accord.
original review on: 08-25-2010
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look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
unusually sized 8.4oz bottle served in an oversized wineglass.
a murky amber/coppery pour yields very little head, so obviously not much in the way of retention or lacing; decent amount of sediment. not the most attractive of brews.
nose offers dark fruit with sweet malts and has a vinous like character to it; surprisingly little alcohol considering 13% ABV (which is prominently displayed on the neck of the bottle...). flavor is very sweet, borderline cloying. i'm again reminded of a white wine. sweet malt... yeast... hint of apple... BSPA is definitely not the first thing i think of.
overall, not bad. not great, either. almost astonishing how well-hidden the booze is; i get it in the finish/aftertaste but i thought it would be much more in-your-face. the more it warms the more i sour on it. good in small doses, perhaps (hence the small bottle?). at the end of the day i'm glad i tried it and i'd drink it again if offered, but i wouldn't buy it of my own accord.
original review on: 08-25-2010
1,010 characters
4.05/5 rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Small 8.4oz bottle, which is the perfect size for my 10oz CCB snifter. Originally $6, but a shop I haven't been to in over a year had them 50%, which made the price point worth trying.
2009 vintage, I believe, with what appears to be a 2010 best by date. With 13% alcohol, I don't think age would be bad for this thing.
Pours a dark muddy orange color. Head was cream colored, and for the ABV and age, a nice frothy finger adorned it. Retention was also surprisingly good, dissipating to a nice foamy ring, leaving some nice lace.
Definitely some fruity undertones in the nose. Slightly bready and yeasty. A hint of alcohol fumes are detectable, but seemingly mild for it's strength. Some touches of pear and apple faintly mingle.
Taste has a slight candied sweetness up front, which a touch of booziness, bready, almost fruity yeast notes, caramel malts and some sweet apple.
The feel is creamy, with a hefty body. Carbonation is subtle and feels very smooth on the palate.
The alcohol is there, but not overpowering. Lends it a fairly impressive drinkability, however, the 8.4oz bottle really ends up being the perfect size.
Maybe it's the age, or how the store has been storing it, but this was surprisingly tasty and enjoyable. The store has a dozen of more left, and at $3, I will most likely enjoy this again every so often while it's there and stow a couple away for longer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Small 8.4oz bottle, which is the perfect size for my 10oz CCB snifter. Originally $6, but a shop I haven't been to in over a year had them 50%, which made the price point worth trying.
2009 vintage, I believe, with what appears to be a 2010 best by date. With 13% alcohol, I don't think age would be bad for this thing.
Pours a dark muddy orange color. Head was cream colored, and for the ABV and age, a nice frothy finger adorned it. Retention was also surprisingly good, dissipating to a nice foamy ring, leaving some nice lace.
Definitely some fruity undertones in the nose. Slightly bready and yeasty. A hint of alcohol fumes are detectable, but seemingly mild for it's strength. Some touches of pear and apple faintly mingle.
Taste has a slight candied sweetness up front, which a touch of booziness, bready, almost fruity yeast notes, caramel malts and some sweet apple.
The feel is creamy, with a hefty body. Carbonation is subtle and feels very smooth on the palate.
The alcohol is there, but not overpowering. Lends it a fairly impressive drinkability, however, the 8.4oz bottle really ends up being the perfect size.
Maybe it's the age, or how the store has been storing it, but this was surprisingly tasty and enjoyable. The store has a dozen of more left, and at $3, I will most likely enjoy this again every so often while it's there and stow a couple away for longer.
1,395 characters
Belzebuth from Brasserie Grain d' Orge (Brasserie Jeanne d'Arc SA)
Beer rating:
3.42 out of
5 with
472 ratings
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