Abbaye des Rocs Blanche des Honnelles (Blanche Double)

Brewed by Brasserie de l’Abbaye des Rocs
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Montignies-sur-Roc, Belgium

Best before 2008. Poured a cloudy amber dark yellowish orange color. Head was decent, although lacing wasn’t that outstanding. Aroma was of orange peels, coriander, floral, and somewhat musty. As it warmed, the funk and horseblankets came out to play. Flavor followed suit with a decent amount of citrus, wheat, and light funk. Mouthfeel was moderate for the style.

750ml bottle

Thought this looked interesting on a trip to the local beer supplier, plus it came with a ’free’ goblet. Why not give it a try? As you’ll see, it was good but not quite up to my expectations.

Aroma / Appearance - A huge foamy white explosion of carbonation to start, which shortly subsided, leaving a two-finger head. The body was the color of honey with some mild carbonation working its way to the top. Hints of earthiness, barnyard, hay, wheat and semisweet chocolate chips led me to believe this could be an interesting experience.

Flavor / Palate - The first impression was of bread drizzled with honey, fresh orange rind and musty hay. Soon after a tandem of ripe bananas and pears reveals itself. The finish is mildy hoppy with a tickling bitterness that is also overly cloying. Overall, it was extremely easy to drink but I was not blown away. It would be a good fit for those warm summer days when you don’t want something heavy but still are looking for plenty of taste.

Bottle from Super Saver. Hazy golden pour with big fluffy white head. Aromas of orange zest, hopcs, coriander, malty Bretty funk. The flavor is citric at first, then it gets citrusy and floral spicy, with coriander, orange and lemon zest, and some funky black and Bell peppery notes. Complex and well balanced, this one is a standout.

750ml bottle. Yeasty citrus note. Bready yeast. Orange and bananas. Good wit. Another example of why I love this brewery!

BCA (from Bitter Virtue, BBE 2008). Cloudy amber with lots of floaters (but not as many or as objectionable as the montagnarde). Sweet malts form the main flavour. There are hints of spice and light grassy hops but not enough to make it interesting.

Excellent witbier - cloudy, citrusy, spicy. Big, lasting head and the typical coriander/orange peel aroma.

Bottle. Best by 2008. Enticing doughy, bready, lemon-citrus aroma with some orange aromas as well. There is also a bit of spicy pepperiness along with a pleasant floral bouquet. Mildly hazy golden color with a frothy white head and small bubbles that dissipate a bit too quickly for my liking. Adequate lacing. Spritzy, peppery start, turning surprisingly sweet and doughy in the middle. Floral flavors are also present in the middle with maybe the slightest touch of coriander and orange peels. Finishes a bit bitter with some nice grassy hops. Man, I love this brewery!

Pours hazy amber / brown wtih a pillowy white head - much darker than any Wit I’ve seen. Aroma is of lightly toasted malt - very creamy and spicy with majority being coriander. Mouthfeel is very creamy with frothy carbonation. Taste is very smooth with lots of coriander and smooth orange flavor - not sharp or acidic. The finish has heaavy Belgium yeast which isn’t generally in the wits. Laster in the glass more earthiness comes into the finish. Very enjoyable beer and a good choice for #100 for me.