Piraat Ale
Pours, the first half, with good clarity, a light amber color with a solid half inch of big bubbled head. The aromas contain a fair amount of Belgian character, light on the phenolics, more a citrus brightness. The hops in this one aren't particularly strong in the aroma, just notes of pine and a light floral spiciness. On the palate, things seem really out of balance, sort of wacky. I get a nice light crackery malt flavor, combined with some more nondescript hops, light yeasty character. But, it's the lower than usual carbonation combined with a biggish body that hurt this beer. The finish certainly has some hop bitterness to it. This is just a really difficult style to pull off (I feel) and Piraat comes up a bit short.