Alvinne Gaspar

Brewed by Picobrouwerij Alvinne
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Moen, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Pours out a somewhat cloudy copper color, after spewing all over the kitchen. Large white head, big carbonation. Aroma is somewhat lacking, little hop and some yeast. Taste makes up for it though. Nice spice and yeast, slight fruit and rounded out with a very nice hoppy punch throughout, some grassy/citrus hops going on. I thought it was rather solid

FIRST TRIAL: A thick white head covers the foggiest, haziest, dirtiest, orange body I think I’ve ever seen; aroma is very spicy from both the European hops and Belgian yeast; alcohol is definitely there in the taste, but is restrained by the bitterness and almost candied sugar-like sweetness; there’s far less carbonation than in most Belgians, but still more than a typical ale. Overall, this isn’t a fantastic beer, and I’ve had hoppier Belgians, with other more redeeming qualities, but it was interesting enough that I’m glad I bought it once.

Bottle. Very floral, extremely spicy aroma, touch of coriander and candi sugar in with angular, dry and gritty yeast. Hazy, opaque orange pour with a very excited, foamy beige head. Taste is bitter, very carbonated, yeasty, and way, way, way, over-spiced. Very dry with exotic fruit coming in via the hops, but again, the yeast / spice combination is way over the top and makes this nearly undrinkable. Hard, rocky mineral water, with plastic and some alcohol. Some clear Tripel character. Medium-full body. Nasty syrupy aftertaste, touch of grain in there, too. A big, overblown mess (and I thought only American brewers made those!).

Bottle. Medium sized off-white head that was frothy and fizzy and mostly diminished, a lot of floaties, splotchy lacing, no visible carbonation, hazy, and a dark golden hue. The aroma was malty, hoppy but not overly so, spicy, sweet and fruity. The flavor was a little acidic, mildly bitter, spicy, some maltiness, yeasty, and a short dry finish. The mouthfeel was tingly and dry. A medium bodied beer. I did not notice the ABV playing a big role in this beer. I liked the aroma, but the flavor seemed to be all over the place for the style. This beer did not leave me wanting it again.

Draft at Redlight Redlight. Pours a cloudy, glowing, golden-orange color. A small, foamy, off-white head is quickly fleeting, leaving spotty, soapy lacing to rejoin the body. The aroma shows fumy yeast notes up front, followed by sweet fruity notes, honey, and a kiss of dusty, dry, grassy hops. Flavors are bittersweet and funky, with semi-sour white fruits posting up against moderately bitter, dry, floral and grassy hops. Some indiscernible dark spice is in there as well. Medium body and balanced carbonation. Drinks easy. Hoppiest beer in Belgium? No, not by a long-shot, but still a solid, enjoyable beer.

draft @ redlight redlight. Citrus hops with hints of pine and sweet malts on the nose. Pours a cloudy golden amber with a thick white head. There is a very different hop flavor, a very floral bitterness, honey citrus with a spicy fruity bitterness. A lovely flavor profile. A great beer!!

Draft at Redlight. Pours a cloudy orange with a thick white head. We were the first glass after tapping, so it wasn’t chilled yet, but really tasty at the cool temp it was. Very big citrus hops aroma, along with some belgian spice. Smooth bitter hop taste, very floral hops, more citrus and spices. Very good.

Draft @ Redlight. Cloudy yellow gold. Fine head and heavy lacing. Lightly spicy with hints of phenols. A touch of lemony citrus. Alot of floral hops in the flavor, with a semi-sweet finish followed by a rising bitterness. Hops tend toward citrus as well, as the beer warms up.