Piraat 10.5%

A very good strong Belgian ale. I’ve had this numerous times and was surprised I had not rated it. Nice fruity balance and strength. Really tasty!

Pale gold and hazy with a large, frothy off-white head. Aroma is of citrus and coriander. Taste is of coriander, nutmeg, bananas, and citrus with a slightly hoppy character.

330ml bottle from Belgian beer pack from LCBO. Golden yellow colour with thin white head. Strong aroma almost like ice wine. Much better flavour than I anticipated based on the aroma. I expected unbearably sweet, but the flavours are more subtle than the scent.

Draft, mid-session. Transparent gold with a small, off-white head. Nose is rather yeasty yet bitter with fruit and loads of hop. Flavor is similar, a nice balance of malty sweetness and hop bitterness. Dry and with a long, malty finish. Interesting brew.

Clear and golden with a bright head that exhibits excellent lacing. Aroma is highlighted by spicy phenols and banana with a hint of piney hops. Has a strongly alcohol-tinged, peachy flavor with a late bitterness. Hops are detectable but not on display. Is cloyingly sweet with a sticky mouthfeel. Not altogether unpleasant but neither is it my cup of tea.

Bottle in a Belgian sample pack I received for Christmas. Golden, slightly cloudy pour into a trappist glass. Large white fizzy, frothy head. Aroma of bananas, yeast and some spices. Nice dry taste of slight hops with Belgian yeast and a nice full mouthfeel. Lasting somewhat sharp finish.

Brewery glassware on tap (Sharp Edge, Pgh) Pours a deep straw color, pleasant thin white head. Smooth fruity (pineapple, peaches) on the aroma, some hop character, but the fruit overwhelms any bitterness in the aroma. Tastes smooth and sweet, boozy with flavors matching the nose. There is no hiding of the alcohol content, and in this case, it works well. Some bread aftertaste, but none striking in the overall mouth feel. Great beer, one of my favorites on tap.

Bottle from a variety pack. Pours a haxy golden color with big rocky head. Aroma of yeast, citrus and spices. Taste of peaches, lemon and sweet malt. Light yeasty and hop under tone in the flavor. Alcohol is well hidden.Has a nice light sweet spice finish.