Ename Cuvee 974
Roman N.V.

 

 

Looks fine. Smells of an interesting melding of malts and fruity aromas. Tastes is similar, but has low carbonation (important in my book.) But, I can not explain why the finish to me is sour. Overall, I recommend this ale if it comes around to you.

 

 

 

Look: Deep copper ale, thin head that dissipates quickly, no lacing.

Smell: Sweet fruit, malt, grassy undertones

Taste: Rather bland. Much lighter in alcohol than the ABV would suggest; very little heat. Malty, some notes of sugar, no hops. Very mild.

Feel: Thin and astringent, little no no aftertaste.

Overall: Not much to recommend it. There are much better Belgians to indulge in for the same price. This is thin and ephemeral, almost to the point of being nothing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A: Nice amber/gold pur with thick white foamy head that resolves to thin foam and some fine lacing

S: yeasty, grass and wet hay, sweet grape smell

T: Rather sweet forward flavor and hint of hops, a little malty, apple?grape must

M: good mouthfeel with the carbonation, a tad syrupy but pleasant, clean finish

O: not a bad beer for the price point, good with a burger or pizza, palate cleansing without being too astringent

Serving type: on-tap

Poured in a standard beer glass at about 45F.

A: A hazy, dark golden color with adequate carbonation and an off white head that disappears along with any lacing.

S: Barnyard, yeasty esters with candied sugar, vinous notes and a slight hop character.

T: A semi - sour vinous taste with slight candied sugar and a noticeable bitter hop taste. Quite a bit of alcohol taste for a 7% ale.

M: Medium mouth feel with adequate carbonation. A bit of an alcohol bite.

O: Every thing about this brew says, "not a Belgian Strong Dark Ale". It's golden colored, it's only at 7 % A.B.V and it tastes like a hoppy double. Not that any of that is a bad thing, because this is an interesting Belgian Abbey Ale; I would certainly try it again.

On-tap at Beachwood I,

A: Pours a deep red orange with a wispy white head, some good lace going down,

S: Heavy yeast ester notes, distinctly Belgian, some light berries and grass, complex.

T: Soft malt flavour, dominated by the yeast. Green apples and red apple peel, hint of cherry skin. A unique flavour even for Belgian, esoteric and hard to describe.

M: Medium-bodied at best, crisp, soft carbonation, ethereal feel at times.

O: Definitely an odd little beer, but fun to drink. Not like any BSDA I remember, nowhere near Chimay, so don't think that going into this. Definitely worth a pickup for a change of pace.

A-Poured in a chalice, this beer has fingers of a white fluffy head-weak lacing. Perfectly clear and reddish brown.
S-Smells of barley malt a bit of that adjunct lager corny aroma.
T-Toasted barley malt and hints of yeasty esters. A little sweetness but not as biscuity and rum raisiny as a kick ass dubbel such as Westmalle.
M-High on the carbonation for a dubbel, medium bodied
O-Tastes better than it smells, but there are better beers to enjoy while in Belgium so lets move on.

On tap at Lucky Baldwins Trappiste in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a murky light orange with a foamy bone colored head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. No lacing on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grape juice, and some fruity aromas. Taste is much the same with a fruity finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is pretty tasty and easy to drink.