Illuminate Belgian Ale
Vermont Beer Makers
- From:
- Vermont Beer Makers
- Vermont, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 6.1%
- Score:
- +5 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 3.63 | pDev: 18.73%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 13, 2023
- Added:
- Dec 14, 2021
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
"We have created a special holiday brew that is best enjoyed in the company of family and friends. Illuminate is a Belgian inspired ale. This brew has a velvet like texture, and is full of flavor character. Rich, balanced, and medium bodied. Cheers!"
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by waughbrew from Massachusetts
2.48/5 rDev -31.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
2.48/5 rDev -31.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
This fits neither the description on the side of the can, nor the “Belgian Strong Dark” category listed on this site. Closest to a Flanders Red, this is thin and tart, with some potential that then just falls flat. In the aroma there are some peppery phenolics that made me hopeful, but the flavor is messy, with cidery notes over a cardboardy taste where the maltiness should be.
There’s no date on this can (shame, shame!) but last time I emailed Vermont Beer Makers about a beer of theirs that I bought that was infected, I got no response. Since this beer doesn’t fit their own description of it, I’m thinking they either don’t know what they are doing or need better QC. Either way, I’ll be avoiding them in the future.
Feb 13, 2023There’s no date on this can (shame, shame!) but last time I emailed Vermont Beer Makers about a beer of theirs that I bought that was infected, I got no response. Since this beer doesn’t fit their own description of it, I’m thinking they either don’t know what they are doing or need better QC. Either way, I’ll be avoiding them in the future.
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts
3.41/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
3.41/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
No can date
Pours a large frothy off-white pillowy 1.5 finger head with moderate retention, soapy lacing, hazy cranberry to auburn reddish color
Nose tangy slight tart Belgian yeast characters, some phenol spices, plenty of various fruits, toasted reddish malt, with a bit of caramelized candi sugar, fair spicy hop
Taste fair sweet malt character, toasted reddish slight biscuity malt, toffee and candi sugar, little caramelized sugar, various fruity esters, Belgian phenol spices and some holiday spices as well, a bit yeasty as well, a mix of saison spices and sweet malt, mild spicy hop characters, med bitterness but also a bit tangy, a bit of alcohol on the finish
Mouth is med bod and syrupy, med to a bit higher fizzy carb, a bit of alcohol warmth
Overall this was a mess honestly, everything clashed and just wasn't that enjoyable
Feb 05, 2022Pours a large frothy off-white pillowy 1.5 finger head with moderate retention, soapy lacing, hazy cranberry to auburn reddish color
Nose tangy slight tart Belgian yeast characters, some phenol spices, plenty of various fruits, toasted reddish malt, with a bit of caramelized candi sugar, fair spicy hop
Taste fair sweet malt character, toasted reddish slight biscuity malt, toffee and candi sugar, little caramelized sugar, various fruity esters, Belgian phenol spices and some holiday spices as well, a bit yeasty as well, a mix of saison spices and sweet malt, mild spicy hop characters, med bitterness but also a bit tangy, a bit of alcohol on the finish
Mouth is med bod and syrupy, med to a bit higher fizzy carb, a bit of alcohol warmth
Overall this was a mess honestly, everything clashed and just wasn't that enjoyable
Reviewed by bobv from Vermont
3.99/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16 ounce can about, 7-10 days old.
Moderate pour yields a nearly one inch light tan head over a dark copper/mahogany body with zero lacing.
Head dissipates pretty quickly down to a threadlike ring.
Nose of Caramel/Crystal malt methinks, with a hint of spice.
Taste is slight caramel, a hint of sweetness with some spice, and pretty tasty.
Nice feel even with the absent head.
Overall, this is called a Belgian Strong Dark Ale on Untappd, but I don't see or feel it, as a BSDA should be strong (7.0%+ abv.) and dark brown to black. Oh well, I still like it and could have more than one with no problem.
Cheers!
Dec 15, 2021Moderate pour yields a nearly one inch light tan head over a dark copper/mahogany body with zero lacing.
Head dissipates pretty quickly down to a threadlike ring.
Nose of Caramel/Crystal malt methinks, with a hint of spice.
Taste is slight caramel, a hint of sweetness with some spice, and pretty tasty.
Nice feel even with the absent head.
Overall, this is called a Belgian Strong Dark Ale on Untappd, but I don't see or feel it, as a BSDA should be strong (7.0%+ abv.) and dark brown to black. Oh well, I still like it and could have more than one with no problem.
Cheers!
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