Palm / Palm Speciale
Brouwerij Palm NV
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Belgian Pale Ale
Ranked #453 - ABV:
- 5.4%
- Score:
- 76
Ranked #47,540 - Avg:
- 3.32 | pDev: 16.57%
- Reviews:
- 302
- Ratings:
- From:
- Brouwerij Palm NV
- Belgium
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 21
- Gots
- 225
SCORE
76
Okay
76
Okay
Notes:
ABV 5.1 to 5.4%
Reviews: 302
| Ratings: 1,117
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3.74/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.
L - Dark golden colored beer with some orange highlights; almost perfectly clear. Off white head is fluffy at first but not too persistent, except as a solid sheet on the surface. thick, sticky lacing on glass.
S - Lightly malty aroma whispers of pilsner grain and sweet bread. Low grassy hops dominates the finish. Nothing distinctive but nothing negative, either.
T - Slightly sharp pilsner grain flavors up front, later rounded out by bready malt. Light grassy hops and low fruity fermentation character. Gentle flavors; not overly complex.
F - Medium body; light to moderate carbonation feels creamy. Light hops bitterness barely balances the malt sweetness. No alcohol warmth is apparent.
O - Everything about this beer is light, subtle and pleasant with nothing off-putting. It's just not very interesting or engaging, either.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.
L - Dark golden colored beer with some orange highlights; almost perfectly clear. Off white head is fluffy at first but not too persistent, except as a solid sheet on the surface. thick, sticky lacing on glass.
S - Lightly malty aroma whispers of pilsner grain and sweet bread. Low grassy hops dominates the finish. Nothing distinctive but nothing negative, either.
T - Slightly sharp pilsner grain flavors up front, later rounded out by bready malt. Light grassy hops and low fruity fermentation character. Gentle flavors; not overly complex.
F - Medium body; light to moderate carbonation feels creamy. Light hops bitterness barely balances the malt sweetness. No alcohol warmth is apparent.
O - Everything about this beer is light, subtle and pleasant with nothing off-putting. It's just not very interesting or engaging, either.
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2.71/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
L: Darkish orange, head faded quickly.
S: Very faint, detecting some Belgian yeast (fruity) and malt (bread/biscuit?).
T: Like a strong lager with a bit of Belgian character as someone said before me. Malt with slightly toastiness, yeasty character, and a bit of rubbing alcohol. Somewhat hoppy finish. OK.
F: Low body, high carbonation without the typical Belgian effervescence.
O: Mass-produced ale, cheap but drinkable. If you want a six-pack of something stronger than your average lager and with a bit of "something" go for it. Else, pass.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
L: Darkish orange, head faded quickly.
S: Very faint, detecting some Belgian yeast (fruity) and malt (bread/biscuit?).
T: Like a strong lager with a bit of Belgian character as someone said before me. Malt with slightly toastiness, yeasty character, and a bit of rubbing alcohol. Somewhat hoppy finish. OK.
F: Low body, high carbonation without the typical Belgian effervescence.
O: Mass-produced ale, cheap but drinkable. If you want a six-pack of something stronger than your average lager and with a bit of "something" go for it. Else, pass.
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3.24/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
De color rojizo, con una cabeza espumosa que se va en segundos. Tiena carbonatación y cuerpo medio. Aroma a malta y caramelo. En boca es dulce, ligeramente amarga, con una sensación de caramelo además de la malta. Para mí una grata sorpresa.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
De color rojizo, con una cabeza espumosa que se va en segundos. Tiena carbonatación y cuerpo medio. Aroma a malta y caramelo. En boca es dulce, ligeramente amarga, con una sensación de caramelo además de la malta. Para mí una grata sorpresa.
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2.52/5 rDev -24.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
33cl can, 6m old.
Orange-amber, some lace but the foam is quite quickly dissipating.
Nose is sweet, giving dark sugary associations and a bit of underlying grain.
Taste is fruity, banana being the strongest flavour that comes to mind, mouthfeel is quite thin. I have had this on tap and it's superior to the can version.
Overall hard to whip up any particular interest. Too close to an unhopped, thin lager with added on most generic "Belgian" yeast fruitiness. Belgian pale ale can be so much more and somehow the goodness on tap rarely translates to the packaged version
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look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
33cl can, 6m old.
Orange-amber, some lace but the foam is quite quickly dissipating.
Nose is sweet, giving dark sugary associations and a bit of underlying grain.
Taste is fruity, banana being the strongest flavour that comes to mind, mouthfeel is quite thin. I have had this on tap and it's superior to the can version.
Overall hard to whip up any particular interest. Too close to an unhopped, thin lager with added on most generic "Belgian" yeast fruitiness. Belgian pale ale can be so much more and somehow the goodness on tap rarely translates to the packaged version
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3.46/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From notes 10/31/11: Pours and orange copper with 1/2 inch of off-white, short-lived head that leaves no lace. Aroma: banana, delicate malt, yeast, honey and orange citrus notes. Taste: honey, fruit, sweet malt, banana. Finishes with citrus and a carbonation bite.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From notes 10/31/11: Pours and orange copper with 1/2 inch of off-white, short-lived head that leaves no lace. Aroma: banana, delicate malt, yeast, honey and orange citrus notes. Taste: honey, fruit, sweet malt, banana. Finishes with citrus and a carbonation bite.
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3.45/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
33cl bottle in Celtica, Brussels (€2):
Quite a sweet & fruity beer but one that proved quite sessionable & easy to drink with a lively feel that's to the fine carbonation levels. Obviously not as strong as most of the Belgian beers I've tried of late, this one was still flavoursome & had a lot going on with strong banana coming through alongside some apple & pear then some bread & biscuit malts nearer the end; enjoyable stuff & one I'd happy go back to again.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
33cl bottle in Celtica, Brussels (€2):
Quite a sweet & fruity beer but one that proved quite sessionable & easy to drink with a lively feel that's to the fine carbonation levels. Obviously not as strong as most of the Belgian beers I've tried of late, this one was still flavoursome & had a lot going on with strong banana coming through alongside some apple & pear then some bread & biscuit malts nearer the end; enjoyable stuff & one I'd happy go back to again.
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2.97/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Look: Light amber with a huge white head that stays forever.
Smell: Strong yeast and citrus, but with an unusual chemical smell that reminds me a little of mothballs.
Taste: Heavy banana esters. Not much else in the flavor except a little bready malt hidden under the banana.
Mouthfeel: Thin, carbonated, mild.
Overall: Not terrible, but also not too good. Very average and drinkable without anything that stands out.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Look: Light amber with a huge white head that stays forever.
Smell: Strong yeast and citrus, but with an unusual chemical smell that reminds me a little of mothballs.
Taste: Heavy banana esters. Not much else in the flavor except a little bready malt hidden under the banana.
Mouthfeel: Thin, carbonated, mild.
Overall: Not terrible, but also not too good. Very average and drinkable without anything that stands out.
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3.71/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle into tulip glass, best before 6/29/2019. Pours slightly hazy/cloudy medium orange amber/light copper color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky off white head with awesome retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red apple, golden raisin, light pepper/clove, honey, bread dough, toasted biscuit, light caramel/nuttiness, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and light earthy hop notes; with good strength. Taste of orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red apple, golden raisin, light pepper/clove, honey, bread dough, toasted biscuit, light caramel/nuttiness, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal/floral/grassy hop bitterness and peppery yeast spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red apple, golden raisin, light pepper/clove, honey, bread dough, toasted biscuit, light caramel/nuttiness, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Nice complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and light earthy hop flavors; with a great malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and zero cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from bitter/spiciness. Medium-high carbonation and medium-plus body; with a very smooth, creamy/bready/grainy, and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5.2%. Overall this is a nice Belgian pale ale. All around good complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and light earthy hop flavors; very smooth and refreshing to drink with the mildly bitter/spicy/drying finish. Balanced yeast and nicely rich Munich malts; with solid hop bitter balance against sweetness. A nicely enjoyable offering. A bit underwhelming, but spot on style example in every way.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle into tulip glass, best before 6/29/2019. Pours slightly hazy/cloudy medium orange amber/light copper color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky off white head with awesome retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red apple, golden raisin, light pepper/clove, honey, bread dough, toasted biscuit, light caramel/nuttiness, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and light earthy hop notes; with good strength. Taste of orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red apple, golden raisin, light pepper/clove, honey, bread dough, toasted biscuit, light caramel/nuttiness, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal/floral/grassy hop bitterness and peppery yeast spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red apple, golden raisin, light pepper/clove, honey, bread dough, toasted biscuit, light caramel/nuttiness, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Nice complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and light earthy hop flavors; with a great malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and zero cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from bitter/spiciness. Medium-high carbonation and medium-plus body; with a very smooth, creamy/bready/grainy, and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5.2%. Overall this is a nice Belgian pale ale. All around good complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and light earthy hop flavors; very smooth and refreshing to drink with the mildly bitter/spicy/drying finish. Balanced yeast and nicely rich Munich malts; with solid hop bitter balance against sweetness. A nicely enjoyable offering. A bit underwhelming, but spot on style example in every way.
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3.71/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from bottle into tulip, 1 finger darkish cream soapy head, good retention and lacing. Clear amberish golden in the glass. Smells faintly of a euro lager, first thing that hit me, but as it warms some slight Belgian esters and some floral come to the nose. Taste is initially like the smell, I am getting that clean toasted malt flavor, there are some slight esters coming thru, a mild bit of citrus and it finishes up with mild bitterness and some floral/earthy hop character. Clean drinking, but probably won't go out of my way to obtain any more
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from bottle into tulip, 1 finger darkish cream soapy head, good retention and lacing. Clear amberish golden in the glass. Smells faintly of a euro lager, first thing that hit me, but as it warms some slight Belgian esters and some floral come to the nose. Taste is initially like the smell, I am getting that clean toasted malt flavor, there are some slight esters coming thru, a mild bit of citrus and it finishes up with mild bitterness and some floral/earthy hop character. Clean drinking, but probably won't go out of my way to obtain any more
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3.03/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
No record of when or where purchased but it’s location in the reefer makes it this year.
11.2 oz bottle dated 01.12.2016 stored at 42 degrees. Served at 42 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Aroma – yeast and candy sugar.
Head small (Maximum two cm, aggressive pour), off white, average density, average retention diminishing to an irregular two to seven mm ring fed by effervescence and a thin partial layer.
Lacing – fair. Partial rings of tiny bubbles.
Body – dark gold, clear, effervescent.
Flavor – starts somewhat sweet with honey-like overtones. No hops, no malt, no alcohol, no diacetyl.
Palate – medium, almost syrupy, soft carbonation.
A very average beer, neither pleasing nor off-putting. OK if there’s nothing else to drink.
Appearance 3.5, Aroma 3, Flavor 3, Palate 3, Overall 3.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
No record of when or where purchased but it’s location in the reefer makes it this year.
11.2 oz bottle dated 01.12.2016 stored at 42 degrees. Served at 42 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Aroma – yeast and candy sugar.
Head small (Maximum two cm, aggressive pour), off white, average density, average retention diminishing to an irregular two to seven mm ring fed by effervescence and a thin partial layer.
Lacing – fair. Partial rings of tiny bubbles.
Body – dark gold, clear, effervescent.
Flavor – starts somewhat sweet with honey-like overtones. No hops, no malt, no alcohol, no diacetyl.
Palate – medium, almost syrupy, soft carbonation.
A very average beer, neither pleasing nor off-putting. OK if there’s nothing else to drink.
Appearance 3.5, Aroma 3, Flavor 3, Palate 3, Overall 3.
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3.98/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Look - Pours a deep gold/amber with a short frothy white head, good amount of lacing
Smell - Sweet, floral, toast
Taste - Mild floral hops, slight fruitiness, more apple and pear than citrus or dark fruit, honey like sweetness takes over with a sweet toasted/biscuity malt aftertaste, good balance.
Feel - Medium body, soft carbonation, fairly crisp.
Overall - It reminds me of a cross between a Vienna or Amber lager and a Belgian pale ale. That isn't a bad thing in my book. Really unique and not too expensive where I live, nicely done.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Look - Pours a deep gold/amber with a short frothy white head, good amount of lacing
Smell - Sweet, floral, toast
Taste - Mild floral hops, slight fruitiness, more apple and pear than citrus or dark fruit, honey like sweetness takes over with a sweet toasted/biscuity malt aftertaste, good balance.
Feel - Medium body, soft carbonation, fairly crisp.
Overall - It reminds me of a cross between a Vienna or Amber lager and a Belgian pale ale. That isn't a bad thing in my book. Really unique and not too expensive where I live, nicely done.
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3.11/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
From Corte Ingles El Duque, European feria. In Teku glass. After dinner, removing labels. Like an euro strong lager with some hints of belgian yeasty sugaryness. Drinks easy and without pain, but feels a bit a flat.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
From Corte Ingles El Duque, European feria. In Teku glass. After dinner, removing labels. Like an euro strong lager with some hints of belgian yeasty sugaryness. Drinks easy and without pain, but feels a bit a flat.
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2.2/5 rDev -33.7%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
**
03/10/2013
AROMA: Very Light grains
LOOK: Yellow, a hint of orange.
TASTE: Yeasty sugars. Grains. Yeast, but no Wang.
FEEL: Medium body. Mellow, but a bit flat
I've had worse.
**
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look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
**
03/10/2013
AROMA: Very Light grains
LOOK: Yellow, a hint of orange.
TASTE: Yeasty sugars. Grains. Yeast, but no Wang.
FEEL: Medium body. Mellow, but a bit flat
I've had worse.
**
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3.26/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
L: gives a clear amber color. Decent top of head with nice lacings on the glass.
S: bready malts, wort, caramel and light fruit notes.
T&F:malty from the start with some sweet fruit in the back sense some caramel to. Some light hops in the finish with some bitterness in the finish, really does not have a very exiting flavour and good enough balance. I would also like more of a taste that stocks in the mouth.
O: all Inn all a easy drinking beer, but not very exiting. I would not buy it again, Belgia has lot more exiting beers to offer
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
L: gives a clear amber color. Decent top of head with nice lacings on the glass.
S: bready malts, wort, caramel and light fruit notes.
T&F:malty from the start with some sweet fruit in the back sense some caramel to. Some light hops in the finish with some bitterness in the finish, really does not have a very exiting flavour and good enough balance. I would also like more of a taste that stocks in the mouth.
O: all Inn all a easy drinking beer, but not very exiting. I would not buy it again, Belgia has lot more exiting beers to offer
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3.66/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On draught. Pale amber colour with a thin head. Bubblegum nose. More bubblegum on the tongue plus sweet malts. Light mouthfeel with some stickiness and a mild bitter finish.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On draught. Pale amber colour with a thin head. Bubblegum nose. More bubblegum on the tongue plus sweet malts. Light mouthfeel with some stickiness and a mild bitter finish.
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3.28/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
11.2 oz bottle (best before 06/30/16) served in a shaker pint glass.
Appearance: Perfectly clear amber with a hint of tarnished copper to it. Thin white ring of foam at the edge. No persistent lacing.
Smell: A slight hint of older noble hops, fruity esters, and caramelized malt. As the beer warms up there is some cooked veggie smell.
Taste: Toasted malt, just a hint of caramel, some fruity esters, and a vegetable-like hoppy bitterness at the finish.
Mouthfeel: Prickly carbonation - pretty much fizzy. A little sticky on the teeth. Some lingering spiciness on the tongue.
Overall / Drinkability: Just ok. I'm not interested in having another. There are better Belgian Pale Ales out there. Nice color and clarity though. Makes me wonder if it would be any better fresher, probably so, but I'm not so sure.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
11.2 oz bottle (best before 06/30/16) served in a shaker pint glass.
Appearance: Perfectly clear amber with a hint of tarnished copper to it. Thin white ring of foam at the edge. No persistent lacing.
Smell: A slight hint of older noble hops, fruity esters, and caramelized malt. As the beer warms up there is some cooked veggie smell.
Taste: Toasted malt, just a hint of caramel, some fruity esters, and a vegetable-like hoppy bitterness at the finish.
Mouthfeel: Prickly carbonation - pretty much fizzy. A little sticky on the teeth. Some lingering spiciness on the tongue.
Overall / Drinkability: Just ok. I'm not interested in having another. There are better Belgian Pale Ales out there. Nice color and clarity though. Makes me wonder if it would be any better fresher, probably so, but I'm not so sure.
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4.13/5 rDev +24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Palm Breweries NV "Palm"
11.2 fl. oz. brown glass bottle, "BEST BEFORE 01.26.2017" and sampled on 6 AUG 2016
$2 @ Wegmans, Collegeville, PA
Now labeled as "Belgium's session ale" in the U.S., Palm displays a deep amber/copper colored body beneath a short head of creamy off-white foam. The head retention is good, and it leaves a wide range of spots and splashes of lace behind. The aroma suggests sugary dusted dark skinned fruits such as plums and black raisins over a golden caramel malt base, and that carries over into the flavor with the addition of some mineral, earth, and spice (clove, soft black pepper). The malt widens a bit, revealing more of a medium caramel character with a touch of nuttiness and a hint of toastiness; and some leafy hops can be found in the background as well. It's bitterness rides the center of balance, leaving it sweetish up front and then bitter in the finish. Quite nice, perhaps the best way to think of this is as a Belgian version of an English pale ale.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Palm Breweries NV "Palm"
11.2 fl. oz. brown glass bottle, "BEST BEFORE 01.26.2017" and sampled on 6 AUG 2016
$2 @ Wegmans, Collegeville, PA
Now labeled as "Belgium's session ale" in the U.S., Palm displays a deep amber/copper colored body beneath a short head of creamy off-white foam. The head retention is good, and it leaves a wide range of spots and splashes of lace behind. The aroma suggests sugary dusted dark skinned fruits such as plums and black raisins over a golden caramel malt base, and that carries over into the flavor with the addition of some mineral, earth, and spice (clove, soft black pepper). The malt widens a bit, revealing more of a medium caramel character with a touch of nuttiness and a hint of toastiness; and some leafy hops can be found in the background as well. It's bitterness rides the center of balance, leaving it sweetish up front and then bitter in the finish. Quite nice, perhaps the best way to think of this is as a Belgian version of an English pale ale.
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3.73/5 rDev +12.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
I don't know what is going on with these ratings, but this ale is better than a 3.3 average.
I had a 4 pack over a year and they were all good beers.
Nicely malty, the yeast imparts an orangey-flavor and aroma, slightly bitter.
Reviewed in Roger Protz' CAMRA classic "300 Beers To Try Before You Die!"
MJ's 1999 "Guide" didn't rate it, but said "Palm ale has a bright, amber color, a light to medium body, a fruity, bittersweet aroma and a tart finish."
MJ's Great Beers" talks almost 4 pages about Palm's process, personalities and business.
Palm Speciale is listed on the "1001" and deserves to be there if only to counter such a harsh average rating by you guys.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
I don't know what is going on with these ratings, but this ale is better than a 3.3 average.
I had a 4 pack over a year and they were all good beers.
Nicely malty, the yeast imparts an orangey-flavor and aroma, slightly bitter.
Reviewed in Roger Protz' CAMRA classic "300 Beers To Try Before You Die!"
MJ's 1999 "Guide" didn't rate it, but said "Palm ale has a bright, amber color, a light to medium body, a fruity, bittersweet aroma and a tart finish."
MJ's Great Beers" talks almost 4 pages about Palm's process, personalities and business.
Palm Speciale is listed on the "1001" and deserves to be there if only to counter such a harsh average rating by you guys.
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3.78/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
S: A Pilsner malt dominated nose with some toasty, biscuity notes. A low earthy hops aroma.
L: A light copper colored beer with excellent clarity. The head is made of rocky white bubbles that leave a fine but parse lacing on the glass.
T: Toasty malt flavors dominate while bringing little sweetness to the flavor. against the medium low hops bitterness the balance is slightly bitter. Light Belgian yeast character that is mostly a light peppery spice.
M: A medium-light bodied beer with a medium-strong level of carbonation.
O: Sort of like a British bitter only brewed with Belgian yeast and Pilsner malt.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
S: A Pilsner malt dominated nose with some toasty, biscuity notes. A low earthy hops aroma.
L: A light copper colored beer with excellent clarity. The head is made of rocky white bubbles that leave a fine but parse lacing on the glass.
T: Toasty malt flavors dominate while bringing little sweetness to the flavor. against the medium low hops bitterness the balance is slightly bitter. Light Belgian yeast character that is mostly a light peppery spice.
M: A medium-light bodied beer with a medium-strong level of carbonation.
O: Sort of like a British bitter only brewed with Belgian yeast and Pilsner malt.
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2.77/5 rDev -16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Light amber colored beer, 1/3" white head, average retention. Some toasted pale malts, not much in the way of hops or yeast from this one to stand out.
Taste was super mild, mild carbonation, mild malt, mild hopping. Almost watery thin. I can't really see who would want this, doesn't do what belgian or American pale ales should be doing. At least no off flavors.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Light amber colored beer, 1/3" white head, average retention. Some toasted pale malts, not much in the way of hops or yeast from this one to stand out.
Taste was super mild, mild carbonation, mild malt, mild hopping. Almost watery thin. I can't really see who would want this, doesn't do what belgian or American pale ales should be doing. At least no off flavors.
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2.03/5 rDev -38.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
Pours copper in color. An average sized white head sits atop the beer. Aroma of a mild belgian yeast strain. The flavor is minimal and plain. Very boring. It tastes like tonic water, with a touch of malt sweetness in the middle, followed by a dry iron-like aftertaste. I don't like it. It tastes far more like a cheap mediocre pilsener than it does a belgian pale ale. Easy to drink because it's thin and fizzy, but other than this beer has nothing going for it.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
Pours copper in color. An average sized white head sits atop the beer. Aroma of a mild belgian yeast strain. The flavor is minimal and plain. Very boring. It tastes like tonic water, with a touch of malt sweetness in the middle, followed by a dry iron-like aftertaste. I don't like it. It tastes far more like a cheap mediocre pilsener than it does a belgian pale ale. Easy to drink because it's thin and fizzy, but other than this beer has nothing going for it.
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2.6/5 rDev -21.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
Edit// I see this bottle is a week before sell-by date - others report it pouring a big head - not here. Might be the reason the score so bad.
Deep amber, almost no head - when I pour from a bit of a height, head appears and disappears immediately, it's like red lemonade.
Smell initially a nice beery smell, then nothing much - a touch of malt.
Mouthfeel reminds me again of lemonade, big bubbles, light.
Taste very disappointing, slightly sweet ... it's hard to get anything out of this, the over carbonated mouthfeel distracts, the taste isnt enough. It's very easy to drink (think lemonade again) might be nice on a summer day.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
Edit// I see this bottle is a week before sell-by date - others report it pouring a big head - not here. Might be the reason the score so bad.
Deep amber, almost no head - when I pour from a bit of a height, head appears and disappears immediately, it's like red lemonade.
Smell initially a nice beery smell, then nothing much - a touch of malt.
Mouthfeel reminds me again of lemonade, big bubbles, light.
Taste very disappointing, slightly sweet ... it's hard to get anything out of this, the over carbonated mouthfeel distracts, the taste isnt enough. It's very easy to drink (think lemonade again) might be nice on a summer day.
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3.12/5 rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Really an awful beer. Has a smidge of 'brightness' or 'lightness', but it fails in so many ways. Especially in labeling itself as some kind of noteworthy Belgian 'craft ale'. Stella or HineyLite is so much more worth your bad-beer dollars than this.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Really an awful beer. Has a smidge of 'brightness' or 'lightness', but it fails in so many ways. Especially in labeling itself as some kind of noteworthy Belgian 'craft ale'. Stella or HineyLite is so much more worth your bad-beer dollars than this.
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1.43/5 rDev -56.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5
Uncensored review, children under 18, you may not want to read this.
This was poured into a flared tulip.
The appearance was a semi-clear red color with one finger of foamy white head. Light somewhat speckled lacing slides into the beer in a messy sort of way.
The smell has some burnt biscuits and some caramel that seems sour with some funky earthy thing going on (is this old? have I been "punked?" "Aw, come on guys, wait up, where's the beef?"). Yeah, I think the reader gets what I'm throwing down, I'm not thrilled with this. Hmmm...proceeding for the sake of the review...
The taste was basically the same "where's the punchline," Bubba, no really, Bubba, this ain't funny. Just waiting for someone to throw an online rotten egg to me, well, yeah, that sour caramel thing pouncing on my taste buds saying in an Eddie Murphy voice, "boy, you ain't punked, this is how I taste and if you ain't likin' it, tough crap." Ugh, ya know, I'm not diggin' the graininess in this one.
The mouthfeel that graininess comes back full throttle and slap happy as it takes my tongue and says "boy, I'm gonna make you my (fill-in-the-blank)." Yeah, it sure does. Damn graininess doesn't seem to want to let up as my tongue gets a harshness slapped by a bit too much grains. Light to medium bodied, I'm thinking on this one.
Overall, alright, so here we are, wasn't sure if I could make it this far on this one, but the smell is pretty foul, the taste can't hold up and the feel is just overly harsh. Apologies to those who love this and think it's the bees knees. Me, I do like a lot of Belgian styled ales, but this one, yeah, I can't stand behind it to endorse it for anyone. If this is a Belgian pale ale, then I am Mickey Mouse.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5
Uncensored review, children under 18, you may not want to read this.
This was poured into a flared tulip.
The appearance was a semi-clear red color with one finger of foamy white head. Light somewhat speckled lacing slides into the beer in a messy sort of way.
The smell has some burnt biscuits and some caramel that seems sour with some funky earthy thing going on (is this old? have I been "punked?" "Aw, come on guys, wait up, where's the beef?"). Yeah, I think the reader gets what I'm throwing down, I'm not thrilled with this. Hmmm...proceeding for the sake of the review...
The taste was basically the same "where's the punchline," Bubba, no really, Bubba, this ain't funny. Just waiting for someone to throw an online rotten egg to me, well, yeah, that sour caramel thing pouncing on my taste buds saying in an Eddie Murphy voice, "boy, you ain't punked, this is how I taste and if you ain't likin' it, tough crap." Ugh, ya know, I'm not diggin' the graininess in this one.
The mouthfeel that graininess comes back full throttle and slap happy as it takes my tongue and says "boy, I'm gonna make you my (fill-in-the-blank)." Yeah, it sure does. Damn graininess doesn't seem to want to let up as my tongue gets a harshness slapped by a bit too much grains. Light to medium bodied, I'm thinking on this one.
Overall, alright, so here we are, wasn't sure if I could make it this far on this one, but the smell is pretty foul, the taste can't hold up and the feel is just overly harsh. Apologies to those who love this and think it's the bees knees. Me, I do like a lot of Belgian styled ales, but this one, yeah, I can't stand behind it to endorse it for anyone. If this is a Belgian pale ale, then I am Mickey Mouse.
1,722 characters
3.3/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
On tap at Old MIll in Austin, MN
I was surprised how light this is, both in taste and feel. Nearly watery. Really lacking any distinction that would make it a Belgian Pale Ale. Way too close to European lager. No sense of spiciness in interesting aroma's or flavors. I was rather disappointed in this. Looks good. Clean and refreshing.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
On tap at Old MIll in Austin, MN
I was surprised how light this is, both in taste and feel. Nearly watery. Really lacking any distinction that would make it a Belgian Pale Ale. Way too close to European lager. No sense of spiciness in interesting aroma's or flavors. I was rather disappointed in this. Looks good. Clean and refreshing.
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Palm / Palm Speciale from Brouwerij Palm NV
Beer rating:
76 out of
100 with
1117 ratings
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