St. Paul Special
Appearance - 3.0 Poured a finger and a half of beige head that quickly reduced to half a finger. Colour is a darkish amber-brown with large chunks of sediment (should have been swirled before pouring), almost completely opaque. Smell - 3.5 Very sweet and malty, aromas of ginger teacake and a little spice. Taste - 3.5 Certainly no off-tastes, but I was expecting a little more complexity for a Belgian ale. Despite just 5.5%ABV the alcohol is warming which couples well with the light spiciness. Very much malt driven, with just a little bitterness to go with the butter, biscuit and brown sugar flavours. Becomes oversweet with warming. Mouthfeel - 3.5 Light, fine carbonation coupled with a heavyish weight make this beer feel thick and smooth in the mouth. Drinkability - 3.5 Perhaps a little sweet to be sessionable, but it's close. I'd drink it again. OVERALL - 3.4 Part of me feels that this beer deserves a higher rating, as I was close to giving it a 4 for taste and smell, but the oversweetness and lack of hops for balance knocked it back down. Pretty average for a Belgian, but still a decent beer.