Honeysuckle Rose
Blue Earl Brewing Company

Blue Earl Brewing Co. "Honeysuckle Rose"
12 fl. oz. can without production codes or freshness dating
$2.99 @ Total Wine & More, Claymont, DE

Notes via stream of consciousness: This is not my first dance with Honeysuckle Rose which says something as I recalled liking it enough to buy it again, but at the same time I recall that it basically paled in comparison to the majority of blonde ales that I've had from Belgium. To start, what I've got is a very hazy golden-amber beneath a short head of white foam. The head has already dropped, and I think it's safe to say that it won't really leave a whole lot of lacing behind. Secondly, I'm getting yeast in the nose. Now that's not normally a bad thing, and it's not really bad here either, but it's not expected. Beyond that I'm getting some very nice yeasty esters of clove and vanilla over a sweet and grainy/wheaty malt base so there's definitely potential there, it's just not polished enough. My guess is that they're just cranking this out as fast as they can to meet demand and there's not time to let it mature in the tank. On to the taste... it's very much like the aroma. I love the combination of sweetish malt and spicy yeast character. There's some bitterness to it but not a lot, and there's a clear presence of alcohol but it mainly acts as a backdrop, which is exactly what I want. I want to know there's some alcohol there but I don't want it to reach out and slap me. Ironically, it's been actual Belgian strong blonde ales where I've found that (I won't name names.) In the mouth it's medium bodied on the fuller side with a bit of a dextrinous feel, and gently bristling with carbonation. I think a little more carbonation would help but I can appreciate that they might want to keep it a little bit softer. So here I am back again where I began. Hedonistically I really like this beer, but from a technical perspective it's a bit lacking. Or, maybe I shouldn't look at it in that way, and just accept that maybe they just want to do with it what they want to do with it? I don't know but I think if they polished it up a bit it would be much better.
Review #8,570

From a sixtel in the kegerator. Opaque, murky gold, with some particulates, medium thin creamy head that dissipates. The mild aroma has you expecting a lemony taste, but for me a bit disappointed with what you get - not fruity lemon but an odd spearmint that doesn't work too well. The ABV is right on for it, if you want the warm hit. But needs improvement. Different hops probably improves it. PS: Downrated - This beer gives me a headache!

 

Since beCANming involved in the "Beer CAN: A Love Story" mockumentary project, The CANQuest (tm) has been making a LOT of forays to Delaware or having Delaware beers brought along by CAN & Wife of CAN. I am really happy to be a part of it & The CANQuest (tm) rolls on as a result.

From the CAN: "Brew for Your Soul"; "Belgian Blonde Ale"; "A succulent Belgian Blonde Ale of moderate strength with subtle Belgian complexity, slightly sweet flavors including orange, lemon-pepper, and honeysuckle, exhibiting a dry finish. This elegant golden ale is brewed with continental-style malts, Belgian candy sugar and Golding hops. A sensational Belgian flavor profile that’s assured to satisfy your soul!

I beCAN by Crack!ing open the vent & starting a slow, gentle C-Line Glug into the awaiting glass. This action netted me a brief finger of fizzy, foamy, rocky, bone-white head that quickly fizzled into wisps. 8=( On the upside, the color was a gorgeous Golden-Amber (SRM = > 5, < 7) with NE-quality clarity, prompting an impromptu visit from The Gelt Gang of Croesus, Midas & Mammon, all clamoring for a taste. Nose had a pleasant peppery spiciness, undoubtedly from the Belgian yeast strain they employed. Mmm. Mouthfeel was medium. I definitely got all of the flavors that they mentioned: lemon-pepper, honey & orange along with a papery mustiness that was undoubtedly from the yeast. Finish was quite dry & very refreshing. A very pleasant gift from my peeps in Delaware. YMMV.

Look: It pours golden with a white head.

Smell: There are strong earthly aromas with moderate herbal notes. There are background doughy elements.

Taste: There are plenty of earthen elements in the flavor with some spice and dough. There are some herbal elements.

Feel: It has a medium body.

Overall, strong dough in the grain with earth and other compliments.

 

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a dark copper color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of honey, malts. Taste is the same as the aroma, light yeast and alcohol are present. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a decent beer, it drinks more like a Belgian Pale Ale than an American Blonde.

If you were seeking a quintessential Belgium Ale, this is most certainly not it. While advertised as one of the best beers in Delaware by the News Journal, both in bottle and at tap this beer falls short of the highest accolades previously awarded. It’s simply not executed as a Belgium very well. That said it does have some redeeming qualities. First, it’s bold and banging...no dougbt about it. It’s not for the faint of heart. At only 21 ibu, it’s not that bitter yet it’s wild taste and aftertaste come through as more of a sour. I hate sour beers. As many as I’ve tried, I’ve only liked one. Every beer deserves a home, so hopefully my comments help those seeking a strong and sour adventure.

 

12 oz bottle poured into a tulip.
Appearance
Color is a medium Amber, darker than expected for the Style of Belgian Blonde Ale.
Extremely frothy Head, white and very tall, moderately persistent. But no lasting lace.
Somewhat opaque, not clear, as would be expected for style.
Aroma
Candy sugar, honey, and slightly floral. Very pleasant. No fruity esters detected. No alcohol overtones.
Extremely inviting, but not the aroma expected for style.
Flavor
Deliciously sweet candy sugar and honey, more sweet than dry at first with a dry finish. Mid taste is somewhat overcome by high carbonation.a
Some spicy peppery taste. More reminiscent of a trippel.
Mouthfeel
Medium High carbonation, slight alcohol, smooth finish..
Overall impressions
Somewhat misses the mark as a Belgian Blonde, tastes more like aTrippel, but with less alcohol..
If judged to style, not a high scorer, but if set in front of you without a category to judge, just to drink , ??? DELICIOUS!Pour me another.. Very enjoyable beer..

 

 

Poured into a narrow pint glass: color is gold (not blonde), head is off white/very light tan, head bubbles are fine to small.

Smell is sweet, like a honey ale, lighter malt notes and hints of belgian yeast esters.

Taste is pleasant, a little on the sweet side like an addition of honey or cane/belgian candi sugars, but from the description on the web there is no indication of added fermentables. Other flavors are lighter malt notes, toast, some light belgian yeast esters and hints of the herbal additions but no dominant pepper or honeysuckle flavor.

Mouthfeel is crisp, dryer on the finish and tongue than aroma and leading flavor suggest; light sweetness does linger afterwards.

Overall an interesting beer - great to find something other than IPA/pale ale/wheat ale from Delaware breweries - however execution is a bit off. This is described as a Belgian Blonde Ale, but has the characteristics of a light tripel with some flavors that hint at fermentable additions other than malt. I might expect a dryer profile or some yeast spiciness.