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Blue Apron Ale
Brooklyn Brewery
- From:
- Brooklyn Brewery
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 7.2%
- Score:
- 89
- Avg:
- 4.02 | pDev: 13.43%
- Reviews:
- 17
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jul 29, 2018
- Added:
- Jan 19, 2009
- Wants:
- 39
- Gots:
- 5
Blue Apron Ale has a deep brown color and a palate redolent of oranges, caramel, bread and chocolate, with Belgian yeast adding a hint of spice. 100% bottle re-fermentation gives the beer a lively natural carbonation. Best served at 50° F, Blue Apron Ale is a fine accompaniment to beef, lamb, roasted game, cured meats, reuben sandwiches and good cheese.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Floydster from California
4.67/5 rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.67/5 rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
750 ml bottle served in a wide mouth wine glass at the restaurant
Appearance is reddish brown, see through in the light, nice carbonation that fades over a few minutes, good legs
Smell is butterscotch, red grapes, oak, ripe pear, apricot, toffee, caramel, vanilla, Belgian Candi Sugar, brown sugar, milk chocolate, and raisins
Taste starts off with flavors reminiscent of sweet dessert breads, some tannins, more grape, lots of candied sugar, lots of dark fruit, very vinuous in the finish, biscuit malt prevents this from being overly sweet and provides a nice bread-like malt backbone, as it warms there is lots of cocoa and butterscotch, no oak flavors in the taste but strong in the aroma which was interesting, sweet brown ale but balanced
Mouthfeel was surprisingly light, easy to drink, and paired well with our rich food, especially cheese, full bodied with lots of flavor while remaining drinkable
Overall this was quite a surprise, firstly because I had never even heard of the beer, secondly I was not really in the mood for the style but it sure did hit the spot, would love to have again someday
Feb 10, 2015Appearance is reddish brown, see through in the light, nice carbonation that fades over a few minutes, good legs
Smell is butterscotch, red grapes, oak, ripe pear, apricot, toffee, caramel, vanilla, Belgian Candi Sugar, brown sugar, milk chocolate, and raisins
Taste starts off with flavors reminiscent of sweet dessert breads, some tannins, more grape, lots of candied sugar, lots of dark fruit, very vinuous in the finish, biscuit malt prevents this from being overly sweet and provides a nice bread-like malt backbone, as it warms there is lots of cocoa and butterscotch, no oak flavors in the taste but strong in the aroma which was interesting, sweet brown ale but balanced
Mouthfeel was surprisingly light, easy to drink, and paired well with our rich food, especially cheese, full bodied with lots of flavor while remaining drinkable
Overall this was quite a surprise, firstly because I had never even heard of the beer, secondly I was not really in the mood for the style but it sure did hit the spot, would love to have again someday
Reviewed by Libationguy from Nevada
4.2/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Medium brown color with tawny hues. 1-finger head with medium- retention and spotty lacing.
Toffee, light caramel notes, sultanas, plums, brown bread, cola, spice.
Sweet malt, orange peel, brown bread crust, raisins, cocoa nibs, semi-sweet chocolate.
Medium bodied and slightly thin in the mid palate. Carbonation is firm and the beer finishes dry.
Had this with the Truffle Custard at the French Laundry. Absolutely and inspired pairing. If you want to see synergy in a food and beverage pairing, this pairing is a great example of both products elevating one another.
Aug 30, 2013Toffee, light caramel notes, sultanas, plums, brown bread, cola, spice.
Sweet malt, orange peel, brown bread crust, raisins, cocoa nibs, semi-sweet chocolate.
Medium bodied and slightly thin in the mid palate. Carbonation is firm and the beer finishes dry.
Had this with the Truffle Custard at the French Laundry. Absolutely and inspired pairing. If you want to see synergy in a food and beverage pairing, this pairing is a great example of both products elevating one another.
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)
3.91/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.91/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle ordered at The French Laundry. Served in a wine goblet. I asked the server and apparently this is brewed a few times a year exclusively for them.
A - Large tan foam settles to a thin cap, slightly thicker collar, and a few splotches of lace. Very dark brown body with ruby transparency when held to the (candle)light.
S - Spicy and mildly phenolic Belgian yeast initially dominates, before yielding to a more complex bouquet of dark chocolate, anise, and candi sugar.
T - Dry and roasty, with light candi sugar, anise, and some bready malts. As it warms there's a bit more caramel flavor that comes out. Alcohol is pretty well-hidden here.
M - Dry, medium body, that is a bit light for the style but seems right for the listed 7.2%. Mildly chewy in the finish, with minimal alcohol presence.
D - A solid take on the style, but nothing really mind-blowing. At least it was reasonably priced at $20/750ml. If you're at a Thomas Keller restaurant give it a shot, but don't go nuts trying to track this down.
Aug 17, 2012A - Large tan foam settles to a thin cap, slightly thicker collar, and a few splotches of lace. Very dark brown body with ruby transparency when held to the (candle)light.
S - Spicy and mildly phenolic Belgian yeast initially dominates, before yielding to a more complex bouquet of dark chocolate, anise, and candi sugar.
T - Dry and roasty, with light candi sugar, anise, and some bready malts. As it warms there's a bit more caramel flavor that comes out. Alcohol is pretty well-hidden here.
M - Dry, medium body, that is a bit light for the style but seems right for the listed 7.2%. Mildly chewy in the finish, with minimal alcohol presence.
D - A solid take on the style, but nothing really mind-blowing. At least it was reasonably priced at $20/750ml. If you're at a Thomas Keller restaurant give it a shot, but don't go nuts trying to track this down.
Reviewed by thagr81us from South Carolina
3.53/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Big thanks goes out to funkydelic for sharing this one at a recent tasting! This was one of his wales from a long time back and I am very thankful that he shared it with all of us! Thanks Cam! Served from bottle into a Boulevard tulip. Poured dark brown with a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, syrup, sugar, dark fruit, and fig. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark fruit, fig, wood, and subtle molasses. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. I went into this brew expecting quite a bit based on what all I had heard about it, so that might have killed my opinion slightly. However, this was an easy drinking brew that wasn’t overly powerful on the flavor. I could see this pairing really well with food as a lot of these flavors would pair great with certain things. Unfortunately we were not eating a paired meal with it. Really glad I got to try this one, thanks again Cameron!
Jul 03, 2012Reviewed by craytonic from District of Columbia
2.56/5 rDev -36.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
2.56/5 rDev -36.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Served with Dinner at Ad Hoc in Yountville, CA
Appearance - toffee-brown pour, small head with a bit of lacing
Smell - a bit off, toffee, brown sugar, raisins and plums. Heavy oxidation
Taste - too much oxidation, touches of toffee, brown sugar, plums
Overall - Oxidized and not that enjoyable, I was looking forward to trying it and very disappointed.
Jun 15, 2012Appearance - toffee-brown pour, small head with a bit of lacing
Smell - a bit off, toffee, brown sugar, raisins and plums. Heavy oxidation
Taste - too much oxidation, touches of toffee, brown sugar, plums
Overall - Oxidized and not that enjoyable, I was looking forward to trying it and very disappointed.
Reviewed by scottfrie from California
4.25/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.25/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks for sharing, Mike!
A: Pours a deep raisin brown with thick tan film that faded into a wispy collar that left a ton of stringy lace.
S: Rich notes of honey, chocolate, and dark fruits. I get a touch of caramel as well.
T: Sweet and very rich flavors of deep fruits, sweet honey, cocoa powder, prunes, bubble gum and toast. Very smooth and delicious flavors.
M: Medium body, creamy, soft and smooth mouthfeel with great carbonation made up of tiny bubbles.
O: I thought this was excellent! A smooth and very flavorful dark Belgian. Thanks again Mike!
May 19, 2012A: Pours a deep raisin brown with thick tan film that faded into a wispy collar that left a ton of stringy lace.
S: Rich notes of honey, chocolate, and dark fruits. I get a touch of caramel as well.
T: Sweet and very rich flavors of deep fruits, sweet honey, cocoa powder, prunes, bubble gum and toast. Very smooth and delicious flavors.
M: Medium body, creamy, soft and smooth mouthfeel with great carbonation made up of tiny bubbles.
O: I thought this was excellent! A smooth and very flavorful dark Belgian. Thanks again Mike!
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois
3.55/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.55/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Thanks Ben for sharing this one, review from written notes.
Bottle stored in temperature-controlled, zero light conditions. Served in a goblet.
It pours a tawny dark brown, glowing copper in the meniscus of the glass. Lasting head of tobacco stained tan foam. Appears highly carbonated.
Plum, raisin, caramel aromas and flavors, some obvious oxidation creeping in from age. Papery and dry aftertaste, lightly bitter and charged with nearly excessive carbonation. Not much spice nuance left at this point. Pruney sweetness lingers, seems a bit long in the tooth at this point. Overall it was nice to try, but if you're sitting on any, it's time to drink it.
Feb 29, 2012Bottle stored in temperature-controlled, zero light conditions. Served in a goblet.
It pours a tawny dark brown, glowing copper in the meniscus of the glass. Lasting head of tobacco stained tan foam. Appears highly carbonated.
Plum, raisin, caramel aromas and flavors, some obvious oxidation creeping in from age. Papery and dry aftertaste, lightly bitter and charged with nearly excessive carbonation. Not much spice nuance left at this point. Pruney sweetness lingers, seems a bit long in the tooth at this point. Overall it was nice to try, but if you're sitting on any, it's time to drink it.
Blue Apron Ale from Brooklyn Brewery
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
30 ratings
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