St. Sebastiaan Golden

Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes, according to this scholar’s slapdash and entirely unreliable research (two minutes on Google). Unfortunately, this beer from the range that bears a version of his name is no world-beater. It’s more of a journeyman, the type you might yank off the bench if you were desperate, but that would never feature in your starting line-up. It’s as golden as Mark Spitz’s medal haul at the Munich Olympics but as loose in the head as Dennis Rodman. I’ve had this in the house for a year or two and frankly, it looks dog-tired, like it just finished a marathon third from last. The aroma is as sickly-sweet as a synchronised swimmer’s smile. It’s all golden syrup, Curacao and grape juice. The mouthfeel is as slick as a David Beckham free kick but as flat as the feeling when your team is drawn against Brazil in the World Cup. Don’t know if it’s the swing-top or the ceramic bottle but this is one dead beer. I’d blame myself but this is supposed to be good to 2008. It tastes as sweet as it smells, with honey and aged semillon dominating before a mild warming, peppery finish. It carries its 7.6% abv very easily but that’s about it for redeeming qualities. Undercarbonated, too sweet, too simple. Back to the minor leagues with you. (500ml ceramic swingtop bottle branded "Grand Cru" from IBS Perth. Best before end 2008)

Like the dark, this beer doesn’t age. It is flat, but the flavor and aroma is ok. Once again I wonder why a Belgian brewer is following the German purity law. Some fruit in the aroma and flavor. Belgian yeast flavor as well, and I bet this had decent palate at one time. Hazy gold but no visible sediment.

Bright golden color with small head. Little lacing. Nose: spiced fruit (peach, apricot) Flavor was similar, but left me wanting somthing a bit more. Little honey as well. Clean finish.

Nice golden color,small but long lived white head that faded slowly to leave a bit of lace behind.The aroma was spicy and fruity with a slight hint of hops in the back ground.The flavor was good but then uneventful.Some fruit and bannana with some mild spiciness and a bit of a peppery thing in the finish.Not exactly a super brew but it is still nicely done and worth trying again,and the price is right for what you get.

an intersting taste of spice and citrus. a bit thin, but its a real of flavor with a balance of hops spicy and maltness for character

The aroma has lots of yeast, fruit, malt, ans some citrus. The appearance is hazy gold with a nice foamy head. The flavor is like the aroma with the addition of some spice. The palate is a little thin but smooth. Overall I like it.

Pours golden with a thick white head of long duration. The aroma is spicey with some light fruity notes and a bit of malt. The flavor has a nice spiciness with some malt and leaves a mild bitterness.

bought a swingtop bottle with the words grand cru on the label / amber, copper, slightly hazy body with a nice thick and spread out lacejob, thick white ring around the meniscus; light flavors come in to form a nice and long overall taste--honey, sweet nuts, floralness, stand out the most; a bit strong, a bit good. UPDATE 07’ Jan 04 / more than usual, i note bacon/smoke...