Achel 8 Blond

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

33cl bottle poured into a Trappist glass an attractive light golden orange with a thick (1/2 inch) white frothy head that lingers. Nice lacings. Aroma is of yeast, mild citrus, and alcohol. Well carbonated. Palate was light and crisp with a finish that is bitter and alcohol. Taste was initially disappointing, but got better as the beer warmed. Perhaps I poured it to cold (at 6C). Citrus, hops, and bitters were notable at first, but the sweetness was missing. A rather pleasant sweetness emerged with warming. Overall, pretty good, but I won’t be running out to get more (but in fairness will give another go starting the pour at a warmer temperature).

Bottle. Color orange with medium head. Aroma floral, yeast, alcohol. Taste sweet, hop, spicy, fruits.

33cl bottle. Pours a golden colour with steady bubbles and a beautiful frothy head which mostly hangs around. The nose has oranges and fresh herbs (maybe mint). The taste has candied orange and lemon which turns into a sorbet on the finish. The palate has a medium to large structure a thick and fizzy texture in the middle section and a refreshing bitter/sour finish. Overall, a good beer though I’m not sure if it lives up to the general dizzy standards set by the Trappiste breweries.

Cloudy blonde to orange beer. It’s quite a nice blonde beer. Nicely balanced.

33 cl bottle pours a cloudy orange copper with a mountainous head. Aromas of Belgium yeasts, citrus fruits, malts and candied sugar. Tastes of lemon peels plums yeasts and sweet malts. Light to medium mouth feel due to intense carbination. Finishes dry with a definite alcohol presence. A subtle complex brew deserving of all it’s praise.

Bottle. Poured a beautiful golden ale, lots of foam, flowery fragrance, sweet candy, touch of hop spiciness, and sourness, taste of sweet, bubbly, hop bitterness, full mouthfeel, when I poured the settlements, taste turned bready, the brightness of the ale on the tongue was subdued, the taste changed, wonderful brew.

33 cl. bottle@’t Waagstuk: slightly hazy yellow/orange with lasting white head, smell and taste is that of bitter Belgian hop, mostly citric, bitter lemon, underneath there is some fruit buried, touch of Belgian yeast & hint of bitter honey, rather light with plenty of carbonation, not bad but I feel like there is a lack of sweetness to balance out the bitterness, gets mostly too bigger Belgian, citric hop

Bottle. Loads of a foamy white head even with a gentle pour, hazy bright yellow-orange. Yeasty aromas, some vanilla, lots of spice and some light citrus. Flavor follows suit pretty well, and get a kiss of sweetness before the spice and citrus fruitiness. Medium to lighter body with very vibrant carbonation.