-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Class Of '88 Belgian Style Ale
Deschutes Brewery
- From:
- Deschutes Brewery
- Oregon, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Pale Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 10.9%
- Score:
- 86
- Avg:
- 3.84 | pDev: 10.68%
- Reviews:
- 27
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Oct 24, 2021
- Added:
- Jan 02, 2014
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 34
Michigan Riesling and Oregon Pinot Noir grapes age with whole flower Mt. Hood hops and pilsner malt in Muscat casks. The fruit aroma unites with Belgian yeast esters and oak for a crisp, dry, and slightly tart flavor.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by beerbrains:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts
3.87/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours clear, gold in color with 1/2 inch head. Taste is chardonnay, grapes, dry riesling, apricot, hay, and touch of wood. One of the most wine like beers I think I have ever had. A lot lighter bodied than I would have thought with slight bitterness. Good, but I prefer other Deschutes beer more. Glad I gota chance to have this one though
Jun 04, 2016Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.21/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.21/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Bottle from Albertsons. Very much dominated by the wine grapes, light and fruity. Does not remind me of a Belgian at all. Sour essence without the sourness.
Apr 27, 2016Reviewed by spacecake9 from Illinois
4/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bought mine a year or so ago and threw it in the cellar.
Poured into a Westmalle chalice.
A - Pours clear, looks like apple cider. Small head that settles immediately.
S - The aroma is not strong but is wine-like.
T - I really like the wine flavor notes that come from the barrels. The tartness is perfect for me. The 10.9 ABV is well hidden.
M - Medium mouth feel. Crisp dry finish.
O - I love Belgians, and I like the twist Deschutes has put on this beer. I would buy more if I could.
Jan 07, 2016Poured into a Westmalle chalice.
A - Pours clear, looks like apple cider. Small head that settles immediately.
S - The aroma is not strong but is wine-like.
T - I really like the wine flavor notes that come from the barrels. The tartness is perfect for me. The 10.9 ABV is well hidden.
M - Medium mouth feel. Crisp dry finish.
O - I love Belgians, and I like the twist Deschutes has put on this beer. I would buy more if I could.
Reviewed by scottfrie from California
3.67/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
22oz bottle into snifter. Best after bottle date 12/06/14.
A: Pours a clear light apricot color with a short finger of soft white head that faded into a thick and lasting collar.
S: Spicy and fruity yeast leads followed by vinous and musty notes of wine grapes. Both the Riesling and pino are noticeable in their own way, followed by sweet and raisiny muscat. There is an underlying peppery quality along with a touch of alcohol.
T: Similar to the nose with tons of vinous grapes, sugary fruity sweetness, fruity yeast, and tons of peppery and spicy yeast. Sweetness sits on my tongue until the swallow. The finish is crisp and has a light white wine tartness. You can really taste the individual components.
M: Medium-full body, tingly and crisp carbonation, sweet and peppery mouthfeel with a lighter, drying finish.
O: I loved the complexity of the different wine grapes, but the sweetness and yeast character were a little heavy for my taste. An excellent beer, however, and very unique in flavor. Definitely very wine-like.
Nov 03, 2015A: Pours a clear light apricot color with a short finger of soft white head that faded into a thick and lasting collar.
S: Spicy and fruity yeast leads followed by vinous and musty notes of wine grapes. Both the Riesling and pino are noticeable in their own way, followed by sweet and raisiny muscat. There is an underlying peppery quality along with a touch of alcohol.
T: Similar to the nose with tons of vinous grapes, sugary fruity sweetness, fruity yeast, and tons of peppery and spicy yeast. Sweetness sits on my tongue until the swallow. The finish is crisp and has a light white wine tartness. You can really taste the individual components.
M: Medium-full body, tingly and crisp carbonation, sweet and peppery mouthfeel with a lighter, drying finish.
O: I loved the complexity of the different wine grapes, but the sweetness and yeast character were a little heavy for my taste. An excellent beer, however, and very unique in flavor. Definitely very wine-like.
Reviewed by TheHopsman from Nebraska
4.23/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Poured... Slight head with a nice rush of bubbles all along the sides of the glass. Amber color with orange and pink hues. Floral grape smell like that of moscato and pinot wines. The booze is definitely present in the smell and the taste. Dry and tad bit tart. Got a taste of raspberry as I licked my lips. Carbonated and crisp mouthful. Felt like I was drinking wine more so than beer. Decent. Been any better if I had aged it longer? Perhaps.
Oct 14, 2015Rated by BWood from California
4.04/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.04/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Decent beer. Feels like white wine mixed with ale. Good summer beer. My wife actually liked this one.
Jun 10, 2015
Class Of '88 Belgian Style Ale from Deschutes Brewery
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
147 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!