Trappist Achel 8° Blond | Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse
Brewed by:
Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse
Belgium
achelsekluis.org
Style: Tripel
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 03-06-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 748 | Reviews: 415
Reviews by supermeniscus:
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
supermeniscus, Jan 27, 2012
More User Reviews:
4.12/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poures a pale yellow with a a light orange tint with chunks and floaties abound (I poured to hard ) with a creamy head that leaves a light amount of lace,spicey aroma some cinnamon and apple going on with a light smokiness going on very appetizing.Taste is phenolic in its smokiness with a nice apple pie flavor spicey and some apple tartness not any alcohol burn like alot of tripels finishes smooth.A real drinkable ale for the style with alot of nice flavors not overly complex but very solid.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poures a pale yellow with a a light orange tint with chunks and floaties abound (I poured to hard ) with a creamy head that leaves a light amount of lace,spicey aroma some cinnamon and apple going on with a light smokiness going on very appetizing.Taste is phenolic in its smokiness with a nice apple pie flavor spicey and some apple tartness not any alcohol burn like alot of tripels finishes smooth.A real drinkable ale for the style with alot of nice flavors not overly complex but very solid.
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3.73/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
Appearance Cloudy yellow with a decent head that went down slow but did not lace the glass well.
Smell Good malt and fruit aroma with a tinge of alcohol and some coriander along with other spices.
Taste The traditional malts actually feel a bit balanced with hops. The fruit at the nose was not prominent at the taste. The sweetness at the end was complimeneted with coriander and something else (maybe cinnamon).
Mouthfeel Well carbonated with a smooth feel on the tongue. IMHO, this is its strong suit.
Drinkability I thought the hops were too prevalent for the style, but this is an all around nice beer to drink
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
Appearance Cloudy yellow with a decent head that went down slow but did not lace the glass well.
Smell Good malt and fruit aroma with a tinge of alcohol and some coriander along with other spices.
Taste The traditional malts actually feel a bit balanced with hops. The fruit at the nose was not prominent at the taste. The sweetness at the end was complimeneted with coriander and something else (maybe cinnamon).
Mouthfeel Well carbonated with a smooth feel on the tongue. IMHO, this is its strong suit.
Drinkability I thought the hops were too prevalent for the style, but this is an all around nice beer to drink
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3.98/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This is the dryest of the tripels that I have been tasting and has an almost farmhouse/ saison quality to it. Very simple and easy drinking with an enticing spicy character. Pilsner malt really shines through and it is not very hoppy or bitter. I nice, stripped down, no nonsense tripel and an excellent intro to this style for anyone who's never had it.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This is the dryest of the tripels that I have been tasting and has an almost farmhouse/ saison quality to it. Very simple and easy drinking with an enticing spicy character. Pilsner malt really shines through and it is not very hoppy or bitter. I nice, stripped down, no nonsense tripel and an excellent intro to this style for anyone who's never had it.
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4.82/5 rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Golden color with abundant creamy white head. (Poured into a goblet style glass)
S: Awesome floral bouquet with a hint of spice (corriander?)
T: Hop bitterness struck me first with additional notes of citrus and spices that I couldn't quite place, but seemed consistent with an Abbey style tripel
M: Light mouthfeel with notable carbonation
D: Smooth and easy, incredibly easy going down, although the warming was fairly prominent - but nice.
Overall this was a great experience! All the flavors came together nicely without hitting you over the head with any one particular element. Unfortunately this was pretty hard to find and at $7 for a small bottle, it's not something I'll be experiencing very often. Fantastic when available!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Golden color with abundant creamy white head. (Poured into a goblet style glass)
S: Awesome floral bouquet with a hint of spice (corriander?)
T: Hop bitterness struck me first with additional notes of citrus and spices that I couldn't quite place, but seemed consistent with an Abbey style tripel
M: Light mouthfeel with notable carbonation
D: Smooth and easy, incredibly easy going down, although the warming was fairly prominent - but nice.
Overall this was a great experience! All the flavors came together nicely without hitting you over the head with any one particular element. Unfortunately this was pretty hard to find and at $7 for a small bottle, it's not something I'll be experiencing very often. Fantastic when available!
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4.31/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a cloudy amber with an ample creamy, dense white head and lots of carbonation. Plenty of lacing.
The aroma is excellent: some funky farmhouse fun from the yeast, candy sugar and maybe a hint of lemon.
So tasty: The Belgian funk is strong in this one! Farmyard and cheese with nice spicy notes followed by a very pleasing bitterness. As it warms, a bit more pepper and even a little lemongrass comes through as well as some ripe fruit notes. A very refreshing finish.
Mouthfeel is medium with plenty of carbonation in my bottle.
Just excellent.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a cloudy amber with an ample creamy, dense white head and lots of carbonation. Plenty of lacing.
The aroma is excellent: some funky farmhouse fun from the yeast, candy sugar and maybe a hint of lemon.
So tasty: The Belgian funk is strong in this one! Farmyard and cheese with nice spicy notes followed by a very pleasing bitterness. As it warms, a bit more pepper and even a little lemongrass comes through as well as some ripe fruit notes. A very refreshing finish.
Mouthfeel is medium with plenty of carbonation in my bottle.
Just excellent.
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4.03/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 1.2oz bottle into a tulip glass. The labels information includes its abv (8%) but there is no freshness date.
Appearance: It has a hazy yellow/orange colored body with lots of carbonation rising up to the head. The just off white head is very tall and thick like a meringue. It is very slow fading and leaves some nice lacing on the glass.
Smell: The aroma has an earthy and bready yeast like character with a touch of funk (horse blanket) and spicy hops.
Taste/Palate: The flavor has the same funky bready yeast character from the aroma but with hints of fruity apple and pear notes. On the palate it has a smooth creamy texture with mild carbonation and the finish has a touch of spicy hop flavor and light bitterness for some balance.
Notes: Yep this is your standard Belgian Style Blonde/Tripel.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 1.2oz bottle into a tulip glass. The labels information includes its abv (8%) but there is no freshness date.
Appearance: It has a hazy yellow/orange colored body with lots of carbonation rising up to the head. The just off white head is very tall and thick like a meringue. It is very slow fading and leaves some nice lacing on the glass.
Smell: The aroma has an earthy and bready yeast like character with a touch of funk (horse blanket) and spicy hops.
Taste/Palate: The flavor has the same funky bready yeast character from the aroma but with hints of fruity apple and pear notes. On the palate it has a smooth creamy texture with mild carbonation and the finish has a touch of spicy hop flavor and light bitterness for some balance.
Notes: Yep this is your standard Belgian Style Blonde/Tripel.
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3.8/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
33 cl brown bottle with drink before date on the side label.
Appearance: Thin but sticky white lace, hazed yellowish golden hue yields a dull glow in the light.
Smell: Phenolic and herbal resins, a lemony hop and chalky yeast make up the soft aroma.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Medium body with a crisp smoothness that digs in deep. Dry pale malt character throws down a floury flavour and combines with the chalky yeast. Big phenolic flavour bursts at the same time as the alcohol shows it juicy and fruity side with warming esters and mild solvent flavours abound. More chalky yeast and bitty pale malt husk in the end.
Notes: This reminds me of Westmalle Tripel in a way though I much more prefer Westmalle, this is a good tripel but I am just not as impressed.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
33 cl brown bottle with drink before date on the side label.
Appearance: Thin but sticky white lace, hazed yellowish golden hue yields a dull glow in the light.
Smell: Phenolic and herbal resins, a lemony hop and chalky yeast make up the soft aroma.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Medium body with a crisp smoothness that digs in deep. Dry pale malt character throws down a floury flavour and combines with the chalky yeast. Big phenolic flavour bursts at the same time as the alcohol shows it juicy and fruity side with warming esters and mild solvent flavours abound. More chalky yeast and bitty pale malt husk in the end.
Notes: This reminds me of Westmalle Tripel in a way though I much more prefer Westmalle, this is a good tripel but I am just not as impressed.
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3.32/5 rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
11.2 oz bottle that is past its prime, according to the label. Really didn't know what I had here until I poured it. A hazy, honey colour in the St Bernardus goblet. Chunks of yeast obscure any sight of bubbles. Leaves nice chains of Belgian lacing all over the goblet. Aroma is typical Belgian, with pink grapefruit and baked bread in the spotlight. Cloves and allspice also share top billing. Mouthfeel is thick, almost chewy, and is tart and bitter. Hops make more than a cameo appearance. Taste is complex, with biscuity yeast, sharp citrus, and bitter hops. Not what I was looking for in a Tripel. The yeast chunks settle to the bottom at room temperature, but the taste remains bitter. This is not one of the better Belgian ales I've had over the years. Maybe a fresher one would change my opinion.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
11.2 oz bottle that is past its prime, according to the label. Really didn't know what I had here until I poured it. A hazy, honey colour in the St Bernardus goblet. Chunks of yeast obscure any sight of bubbles. Leaves nice chains of Belgian lacing all over the goblet. Aroma is typical Belgian, with pink grapefruit and baked bread in the spotlight. Cloves and allspice also share top billing. Mouthfeel is thick, almost chewy, and is tart and bitter. Hops make more than a cameo appearance. Taste is complex, with biscuity yeast, sharp citrus, and bitter hops. Not what I was looking for in a Tripel. The yeast chunks settle to the bottom at room temperature, but the taste remains bitter. This is not one of the better Belgian ales I've had over the years. Maybe a fresher one would change my opinion.
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4.05/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Tried a bottle of this tasty concoction at the Blind Tiger in NYC. Its a new one on their bottle list. Poured a typical Belgian shade of light golden, hazy/cloudy, with a puffy, silky white head, leaving some fine lacing. Nose was all nuts, yeast, fruity. taste is boldly tripel, all the way. Fruity, yeasty notes, pleasing on the tongue and quick to the cranium. Very soft and silky mouthfeel. Finishes dry with more fuit and some spice adding to the mix.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Tried a bottle of this tasty concoction at the Blind Tiger in NYC. Its a new one on their bottle list. Poured a typical Belgian shade of light golden, hazy/cloudy, with a puffy, silky white head, leaving some fine lacing. Nose was all nuts, yeast, fruity. taste is boldly tripel, all the way. Fruity, yeasty notes, pleasing on the tongue and quick to the cranium. Very soft and silky mouthfeel. Finishes dry with more fuit and some spice adding to the mix.
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3.98/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle picked up from Knightly Spirits in Orlando. Been having trouble finding this anywhere in Ontario...
Pours a light, opaque golden, with a thick foamy head, crackling with carbonation. Looks great.
Apple, wine, honey, yeast, and a lovely citrus zest to it as well. Smells like a typical, but well-made tripel.
Notes of apple, sugar, malt, pear and grape. Starts sweet, but finishes tartly with a good earthy character.
Crispy carbonation, somewhat biting, but it recedes to a drinkable level soon. Leaves a slightly sticky sensation on the tongue. Tart.
Tastes and drinks like a typical tripel, which for me is a good thing!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle picked up from Knightly Spirits in Orlando. Been having trouble finding this anywhere in Ontario...
Pours a light, opaque golden, with a thick foamy head, crackling with carbonation. Looks great.
Apple, wine, honey, yeast, and a lovely citrus zest to it as well. Smells like a typical, but well-made tripel.
Notes of apple, sugar, malt, pear and grape. Starts sweet, but finishes tartly with a good earthy character.
Crispy carbonation, somewhat biting, but it recedes to a drinkable level soon. Leaves a slightly sticky sensation on the tongue. Tart.
Tastes and drinks like a typical tripel, which for me is a good thing!
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3.71/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
33cl bottle. Semi-hazy pale orange with a thin white head. Notes of Belgian yeast, white bread, copper and overripe fruit. Medium body, medium carbonation and a bitter-sweet aftertaste.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
33cl bottle. Semi-hazy pale orange with a thin white head. Notes of Belgian yeast, white bread, copper and overripe fruit. Medium body, medium carbonation and a bitter-sweet aftertaste.
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4.23/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3.49/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A 330ml bottle with a BB of Feb 2014, so it's a little out of date. Hopefully still alright. Picked up ages ago from a supermarket while on a trip to Belgium and subsequently stored in my garage. One of the less common Trappist brews - the label doesn't give much away.
Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. A bright orange-amber hue with faint haze and good carbonation. Produces a huge head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding to a thick surface layer. Slight lacing. Aroma of fruity yeast esters with hints of raisins, dried fruit, apricots, a twinge of marzipan, sugar, clove, mild spice, earthy yeast and faint stewed leaves. A warming whiff of booze in the background. Vaguely sweet and deliciously complex.
Tastes of fruity yeast esters with a lingering dry finish. Notes of raisins, dried fruit, subtle sugar, mild spice, earthy yeast and harsh stewed leaves. A touch of cardboard in the background, accompanied by a hint of solventy alcohol. A dry, herbal bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with effervescent carbonation and decent body. Pretty astringent, followed by an aftertaste of acrid stewed leaves/herbs, fruity yeast esters and earthiness.
OK but not exceptional. Looks nice, and the aroma is a lovely blend of fruity, spicy hints rounded off with booze. However, the flavour lacks the complexity and balance of the aroma - harsh bitterness is a dominant feature. Body is alright but feels a shade too spritzy. Perhaps this bottle is just a bit too old - I may re-review in the future. Drinkable enough but no need to run out and hunt it down.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A 330ml bottle with a BB of Feb 2014, so it's a little out of date. Hopefully still alright. Picked up ages ago from a supermarket while on a trip to Belgium and subsequently stored in my garage. One of the less common Trappist brews - the label doesn't give much away.
Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. A bright orange-amber hue with faint haze and good carbonation. Produces a huge head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding to a thick surface layer. Slight lacing. Aroma of fruity yeast esters with hints of raisins, dried fruit, apricots, a twinge of marzipan, sugar, clove, mild spice, earthy yeast and faint stewed leaves. A warming whiff of booze in the background. Vaguely sweet and deliciously complex.
Tastes of fruity yeast esters with a lingering dry finish. Notes of raisins, dried fruit, subtle sugar, mild spice, earthy yeast and harsh stewed leaves. A touch of cardboard in the background, accompanied by a hint of solventy alcohol. A dry, herbal bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with effervescent carbonation and decent body. Pretty astringent, followed by an aftertaste of acrid stewed leaves/herbs, fruity yeast esters and earthiness.
OK but not exceptional. Looks nice, and the aroma is a lovely blend of fruity, spicy hints rounded off with booze. However, the flavour lacks the complexity and balance of the aroma - harsh bitterness is a dominant feature. Body is alright but feels a shade too spritzy. Perhaps this bottle is just a bit too old - I may re-review in the future. Drinkable enough but no need to run out and hunt it down.
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4.56/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This one pours a murky golden brown...with a nice fluffy head and massive sticky lacing. The smell is of Belgian yeasts, bread and fruits....The star of the show here is the Belgian yeast...Its a classic old school trappist strain that is immediately noticeable. Fruity, a little sweetness, some malty richness....But still, its the apples-hints, yeast and breadiness that stands out. It finishes quite peppery and spicy with a smidge of bitterness. The carbonation here is medium and allows the ale to finish creamy instead of simply dry. Pretty good. Potable.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This one pours a murky golden brown...with a nice fluffy head and massive sticky lacing. The smell is of Belgian yeasts, bread and fruits....The star of the show here is the Belgian yeast...Its a classic old school trappist strain that is immediately noticeable. Fruity, a little sweetness, some malty richness....But still, its the apples-hints, yeast and breadiness that stands out. It finishes quite peppery and spicy with a smidge of bitterness. The carbonation here is medium and allows the ale to finish creamy instead of simply dry. Pretty good. Potable.
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4.02/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Hazy dull gold appearance, good but not spectacular bottle-conditioned head but dense and clinging Brussels lace. Deeply yeasty aroma, green apples and a spritz of fresh lemonade. Nice body and malt sense, closest to fruit-infused carrot cake that dries to a slightly medicinal finish. A bit of an alcoholic sense, but the best part is the well-bittered finish. A good beer, but I was looking for more in the surprise department, this Tripel also grows a bit too sweet as it approaches room temperature.
Source: Liquid Solutions
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Hazy dull gold appearance, good but not spectacular bottle-conditioned head but dense and clinging Brussels lace. Deeply yeasty aroma, green apples and a spritz of fresh lemonade. Nice body and malt sense, closest to fruit-infused carrot cake that dries to a slightly medicinal finish. A bit of an alcoholic sense, but the best part is the well-bittered finish. A good beer, but I was looking for more in the surprise department, this Tripel also grows a bit too sweet as it approaches room temperature.
Source: Liquid Solutions
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3.73/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Deep golden slightly hazy sunshine hue nice creamy fine bubbled head leaves detailed Belgian lacing. Aroma: Candi sugar lnes layers of sweet pale malts nice fruity undertones some tropical notes with a kiss of hops. Taste: Nice fairly mild overall flavor, sweet candi sugar some fruity undertones and bubblegum with evident alcohol leaves me quite underwhelmed. Mouthfeel: Medium body fine effervescent carbonation, not bad. Drinkability: Nice but for a trappist ale and eight dollars for the bottle I want more, not only do I want more but I expect more.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Deep golden slightly hazy sunshine hue nice creamy fine bubbled head leaves detailed Belgian lacing. Aroma: Candi sugar lnes layers of sweet pale malts nice fruity undertones some tropical notes with a kiss of hops. Taste: Nice fairly mild overall flavor, sweet candi sugar some fruity undertones and bubblegum with evident alcohol leaves me quite underwhelmed. Mouthfeel: Medium body fine effervescent carbonation, not bad. Drinkability: Nice but for a trappist ale and eight dollars for the bottle I want more, not only do I want more but I expect more.
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4.13/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle purchased from Green's on Buford in Atlanta.
Pours a clear golden color with a 1.5-finger white head. The head slowly recedes into a patchy layer on top leaving thick lacing.
Smells of light malts with good amounts of syrup-soaked pears and milder amounts of green apples. As the beer warms the pear aromas subside a bit.
Tastes similar to how it smells. Crisp and clean light malt flavors kick things off and are joined by solid amounts of green apple flavors - the green apple is stronger in the flavor profile than it is in the aroma. Midway through the sip the flavors sweeten a bit before carrying through to a crisp ending, leaving equal parts green apple and pear flavors lingering on the palate.
Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with active carbonation.
Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass very quickly and could easily polish off another.
Overall this was more impressive to me than the aged Brune I had recently. A well done beer that works nice with the time of year. Worth a shot.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle purchased from Green's on Buford in Atlanta.
Pours a clear golden color with a 1.5-finger white head. The head slowly recedes into a patchy layer on top leaving thick lacing.
Smells of light malts with good amounts of syrup-soaked pears and milder amounts of green apples. As the beer warms the pear aromas subside a bit.
Tastes similar to how it smells. Crisp and clean light malt flavors kick things off and are joined by solid amounts of green apple flavors - the green apple is stronger in the flavor profile than it is in the aroma. Midway through the sip the flavors sweeten a bit before carrying through to a crisp ending, leaving equal parts green apple and pear flavors lingering on the palate.
Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with active carbonation.
Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass very quickly and could easily polish off another.
Overall this was more impressive to me than the aged Brune I had recently. A well done beer that works nice with the time of year. Worth a shot.
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Trappist Achel 8° Blond from Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse
4.05
out of 5
based on 748 ratings.