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About Belgian Style Pale Ale

About Belgian Style Pale Ale
Belgian style pale ales are pale straw to amber in color and range from 4-6% in alcohol. These beers are medium in body and are characterized by a moderate fruitiness, medium to sweet malt flavor, and a floral, spicy hop finish. Hop flavors may range in intensity, but tend to be slightly more delicate than the hop profiles found in American or English pale ales. Hop flavors range from floral to spicy to black pepper. Beers in this category may also have varying degrees of flavors derived from Belgian yeasts. These flavors should not dominate the overall flavor profile of the beer, but instead compliment the complex hop aromas and flavors. Noteworthy examples of this style include: Orval Trappist Ale, Brewery Ommegang BPA and Russian River Redemption.

Top Picks for Belgian Style Pale Ale

Surly Brewing Company Cynic Belgian-Style Pale Ale
90 points
Surly Brewing Company
Cynic Belgian-Style Pale Ale
Old gold color. Pungent, roasted, smoky aromas and flavors of singed herbal banana muffin, dark roasted nuts, and grilled root vegetable with a supple, crisp, spritzy, light-to-medium body and a peppery, brisk finish displaying notes of wheat wafer, peppered jicama, corn pudding, and citrus rind finish. A rambunctious Belgian pale ale with a bitter hop finish.
90 points
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Brasserie Dupont Moinette Blond
90 points
Brasserie Dupont
Moinette Blond
Brilliant gold color. Aromas and flavors of butter roasted fruits and nuts, apple butter on toast, pear vinaigrette on lettuce, and grape skin with a round, tangy, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, distinctive, medium-long finish revealing notes of tropical citrus, creme brulee, praline, and delicate spice finish. A very tasty, very appetizing Belgian pale ale pleaser.
90 points
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Date Tasted:
Brasserie Lefebvre Barbar
88 points
Brasserie Lefebvre
Barbar
Brilliant gold color. Fruity, floral aromas and flavors of white potpourri, pineapple sauce and cake, and jasmine tea with a supple, lively, finely carbonated, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, long finish with notes of orange spice cake, rose hips, praline, and lettuce finish. A very floral and fruity beer that could almost be a mouth freshener of sorts.
88 points
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Date Tasted:
The Bronx Brewery Belgian Style Pale Ale
81 points
The Bronx Brewery
Belgian Style Pale Ale
Gold color. Vegetal aromas and flavors of brussels sprouts, hominy, and eggs with a supple, crisp, spritzy, dry light-to-medium body and a tingling, breezy finish evoking notes of corn husk, potato skin, pepper, and balsa finish.
81 points
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