Piraat 10.5%

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ertvelde, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Got this in a mix-6 of beers from Belgium. Unfortunately I drank this at a Halloween party and didn’t take good tasting notes beyond the numbers.

Cloudy orange appearance with a thin white head. It has a sweet citrus nose that fits the sweet fruity initial flavor, followed by a spicy and slightly acidic taste. Finishes with a heavy alcohol feel. Quite possibly my favorite Belgian ale.

Oranges and golds shimmer and shiver under a generous head of coppery orange tinged foam which fades in rocky splotches. Huge clumps of lace are left clinging desperately to the sides of my glass while a thick blanket lingers long into our session. Raising her chalice to my nose, I dip into her moist bounty dripping with tropical fruits and honey. She finishes smartly with a warm nip of brown sugar and spice and a tart tang of yeast. Belgium is as far removed from tropical as one can get, and yet Piraat has captured perfectly a feast of tropical proportions to honor the best of our azure islands of relaxation and harmony. Mango, papaya, pineapple, and kiwi stimulate my thirst while warm and sticky butter rolls lead perfectly into sourdough, yeast, and a touch of funk. Orange and lemon pith compliments cinnamon for a brisk note of dryness which finishes with a pineapple juice flourish. Wow. Keep in mind folks, this is just the nose. No need to lick my lips here; I dive right in and savor a mouthful of bottled treasures. She coats my lips and mouth with honey fresh from the comb even as my tastebuds tingle with tart acidity and pinpoint carbonation. Her tropical palate is in full force as I find myself awash in pineapple, mango, papaya, and kiwi with just a touch of dryness from their skins. My breath is all spice while bright acidity continues to tickle and tease the top of my tongue. As she warms, her mouthfeel shows a softer side with gentle effervescence and a pleasant warming sensation. Cooked cinnamon apple slices, anyone? Sweet, tropical, spiced, and dry, Piraat is a Belgian classic, and would be perfectly at home on the Black Pearl.

The Belgian brewery which brews Piraat offers dozens of others brews such as Gulden Draak, one of which I have also quaffed. Piraat is easy to find ages wonderfully. When I cracked open my 2007, she was pushing 2+ years and was as good as if not better than she had been fresh. Forgo the smaller capped bottles and go for the corked 750ml bottle; there is a difference in quality and taste between the two, and especially in terms of ageability. When having to choose cap or cork: always go for the cork.

11.2oz bottle. poured nice with a large head. hazy golden yellow. smell was very fruity. initial taste was the same. very spicy banana like flavor. finish leans more on the spice side. not the best belgian ive had but still a decent brew.

Very slightly murky orange-yellow. Thin white head. Smells sort of like a tripel, but flavor falls far short of a good tripel’s spiciness. Unpleasant bitter aftertaste; maybe more hops than most Belgians? Dry, fizzy feel.

Bootle in São Paulo - Golden appearance (a little orange color as well), consistent white foam. The alcohol is apparent in the aroma, along with a nice fruitiness and spicy. The taste is big fruitiness up front, sweet malt, apples, then the spiciness combines with the alcohol for a bit in the finish. Very good beer!

750 ML bottle purchased at Liquor Barn in Redding, CA. Color: Light to Medium golden. Bouquet: Yeasty Butterscotch. Flavor: Great balance of sweet and hop bitterness fruity, and spicy. Palate: medium bodied. Finish: spicy hop bitterness. This is a classic Tripel- this is a must have. Praise the LORD.

Sample at the Aleksey Portfolio Show. Flavor is dough and yeast. Little tin on the finish.