Achel 8 Blond

Brewed by Brouwerij der Trappistenabdij De Achelse Kluis
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Hamont-Achel, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

A light golden beer with a massive 4 finger head that never went away. The head was so white & frothy I let it sit for 10-15 minutes & it never went away. Aroma was grassy & spritzy & had a fair amount of carbonation. Taste was the same as the aroma & was a very smooth beer.

Banana and clove aroma, moderate strength. Clear yellow, thick head, great lacing. Lots of banana with a healthy citrus accompaniment. ABV is obvious. Most definitely brewed with a wheat strain of yeast. Pretty nice.

Bottle, no notes really just going from memory. Nice colour, really good mouthfeel, sparkly. Flavour was nice and spiced but not as intense or refreshing as some other trappists.

Golden/amber with so much sediment that the bottom INCH of my glass looks like gravel in a fish tank. Moderately carbonated, a short, white head fizzes away quickly. Aroma is full with grape and apple fruitiness along with a sweet, cottage cheese yeastiness and a hint of ginger. Full carbonation in the mouth makes the palate quite fluffy which helps to disperse the rather thick body, yet its after-effects to the gut lead to a gassy bloat. Flavor is well-balanced between malt, hop and yeast and the overall impression is of a sweet/tart caramel apple. Alcohol remains well-hidden but it can be felt rather than tasted or smelled. A little off-putting to the eye and belly, but this beer’s flavor and nose redeem it. ~~~~~~~~ Purchased at Armanetti’s on Lincoln, Chicago, September 2006, consumed July 2009.

Bottle. Golden colour with a huge white head. Malty aroma with notes of apples, spices and yeast. The flavour is malt, apples, spices and yeast with hoppy notes. Smooth and refreshing trappist. Very good.

This one poured an orange sort-of colour and a medium foamy white head. LOTS of sediment in the lower end of the bottle, and I made sure to pour all of into the glass. Leave no one behind! The aroma was hoppy and fruity with perhaps a hint of grass? Taste was mostly of fruit and spices - no idea which ones - and maybe a touch of caramel. Enjoyable beer to drink.

Bottle. Aroma peppery, lemony, floral, mint, cracker. Flavor brings no surprises, medium sweet, very bright, very well balanced between yeast, malt, and hop notes. Very refreshing and still complex. Lovely stuff.

Drank from 11.2 oz bottle in Brussels. Hazy golden color with a decent head, lots of lace. Aroma - is fruity and little spicy. The drinks easy for its strength, good beer, not a great Trappist.