Piraat Ale
This concludes my visit to the 'living beers' of Van Steenberge. An interesting journey I must say, yet I finish with the most familiar, and the most potent, of the brews found in the sampler pack. The Piraat weighs in at a hefty 10.5%, this is really two beers in one. What's next? The Belgian Octuple? Pours a hazy golden orange in color with a thin head into a tulip glass . I inadvertantly let some yeast slip through and it now is settling slowly into the abyss. Smell is rather compelling. Nice and fruity, yet rich and malty. Otherwise typical of Belgian esters of sorts. Taste is slightly sweet yet appropriate for the style and offers some spicy notes on the close. A bit like barleywine on the tongue as the carbonation was lower than implied by many other reviews. Bottom line: A nice Belgian Ale worth trying...