Ommegang - BPA

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

BPA (Belgian-style Pale Ale)

Brewery Ommegang

656 County Highway 33

Cooperstown, NY USA 

Est. 1997

www.omegang.com  

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.2 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review

Translucent apricot golden color.

Citrus fruit, dry yeast and caramel malt made up the aromas.

One finger, fluffy white head. Foam leaves nice spotted lacing.

Deliciously fruity but crisp and dry with a nice dry hopped finishing taste.
Balanced carbonation.

Light to medium mouth feel. Nicely complex flavors.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy

The bottle label claims "Limited Edition", however after researching their website I find it listed under their 'Year-Round Brews'. I purchased this bottle while on vacation at a natural foods store that carried an incredible beer selection. The bottle gives perfect advise for storing, serving and pouring to avoid the yeast sediment. Details such as these are what make the drinking experience produce the most enjoyable outcome possible. Also interesting to note, its a little bit European and a bit American, borrowing ingredients from both regions and combining for a spectacular Belgian-style Pale Ale.


Dry hopping and warm cellaring at the brewery are listed on the bottle's label. This shows the dedication to craft that goes into Ommegang's products. As we allowed our bottle to warm slightly from the fridge, and then again in our glasses, the aromas of the dry hops and Belgian yeasts treated our noses. Citrus and tropical fruit notes wafted up as we took a sip. This is a very nice sipping Belgian Pale Ale. And it was sweet to have found it on the shelves that day. A pure pleasure to share with a loved one on these warm summer days.

Brouwerij Alken-Maes - Grimbergen Blonde Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Grimbergen Blonde Ale
Brouwerij Alken-Maes 
Melle, Belgium
Est. 1654
www.grimbergenbier.be

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
Pale amber color.
Spices, rich dark fruit smells.
Two finger off-white head that is creamy. Spotted lacing.
Somewhat deep and earth malts, with fruit taste.
Medium carbonation.
Light and smooth bodied mouth feel. A bit watery.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
When you visit the website for this beer, you better have brushed up on your Dutch (NL) or French (FR) as these are the only two languages they cater to there. I found the music strangely haunting and loved listening as I poked my way through the site. If you have visited enough beer and ale websites, you begin to notice a pattern that will lead you to understand some of what the brewery is trying to impart upon you in the way of marketing. So even if you don't speak one of the languages or take the time to have your browser translate, you can still kind of get the idea of what they are selling.


As for the ale, it is a very nicely done Blonde (Belgian Pale Ale) and I would drink from the Grimbergen trough on any given day. Treat yourself to one of these blondes, soon.

Val Dieu - Blond

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Val Dieu Blond
Brasserie de L'Abbaye du Val~Dieu
Val-Dieu, 225
Aubel, Belgium
Est. 1216 - Re-est. 1997
www.val-dieu.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
Translucent golden color that appears partially filtered.
Yeast smell detected on the nose.
Bright white, fluffy, tightly bubbled head.
Lots of sparkling nucleation.
Good amount of draped lacing on glass.
Sweet up front with a balanced bitter middle-to-finish.
Light bodied and easy to drink. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
From their website, "The abbey of Val-Dieu was built 1216 by Cistercian monks. They were looking for a lone valley with a stream for agricultural and brewing activities, a haven of peace full of nature. Cistercian orders are well-known abroad for their brewing skills. The monks of this abbey made no exception to this rule." It seems that over the centuries, the Abbey fell into different states of disrepair. Thankfully, it was re-established in 1997. The Reaper applauds the brewery for a fine 'resurrection.' Mua-haa-ha-ha!

Unpasteurized and partially filtered, this blond has a nice pungency in the nose. The Belgian yeast is detectable and offers a wonderful, inviting aroma that reels you in for more. Another fine ale from Val Dieu. It is wonderfully sessionable and easy to drink at only 6% ABV.

Avery - Karma

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Karma Belgian Style Pale Ale
Avery Brewing
5763 Arapahoe Ave.
Boulder, CO USA
Est. 1993
www.averybrewing.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Orange golden color.
Fruity aromas with yeast and esters.
Off white, creamy three finger high head.
Traces of lacing on the glass.
Medium mouth feel with sweet fruity finish. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
From a combo pack, this little gem was tucked inside. Matter of fact, two of them were in the box. Lucky me.
The second bottle in the crypt that has Buddha's image. We'll take all the luck and wisdom we can get.

The folks at Avery have these Belgian yeasts down to a science and it shows in this aromatic brew. A touch of sweetness and some esters really set this ale apart from others in its class.

"Good things DO happen to good people.." is on the label with the rest of the Karma story. Let this ale happen for you!

Leffe

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Leffe Belgian Abbey Ale - Blonde
Brouwerijplein 1 (InBev)
Leuven, Belgium
Est.1240
www.leffe.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2 

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden orange in color.
Fruity flavor in mouth.
Great mouthfeel; richness yet subtle and smooth.
Rich, frothy head with tremendous ringed lacing.
Full bodied with no bitter finish. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
"Savor the Mystery of the Ages" is printed on the back label. I don't know about you, but the Abbey style ales that I've sampled are always very very high in alcohol content. I guess when you have that much time on your hands, ahem, practicing celibacy, you can craft a great ale. Can you imagine if the church took beer and wine making away from these guys after already banning women??? Got to give them something to look forward to! A great delicate tasting ale that is not in the least bitter like some of the higher alcohol ales.

Check out their interactive website. It's like taking a beer SAT test!