Beer of the Weekend #319: Scaldis Belgian Ale (Bush Ambrée)
Today’s brown bottle lunch is another beer with an ambiguous name. However, I will be referring to it as it is called on the front label: Scaldis Belgian Ale, brewed by the Brasserie Dubuisson of Pipaix, Belgium.
On BA the beer is known as “Bush Ambrée” because that is apparently its name in Belgium. Though the Belgians are excellent brewers, they are horrible with consistency.
Serving type: 250 ml bottle. That’s right: 250 ml. The back label features “Best before end” tabs along the side to be notched, but there are no notches.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color is cloudy, dark, caramel/honey. Two fingers of eggshell-colored, buttery head dissipated quickly, like it was late for a hot date. It left a bubbly ring around the edge and a thin skim.
Smell: Sweet fruit and spice. Apple, banana, plum, fig, cherry, raisin, raspberry, honey, a little brown sugar, and caramel. After a couple whiffs the spice fades far into the background. As expected, it has a hint of booze sharpness.
Taste: It basically mirrors the smell, but the booze is sharper once it hits the tongue. It is far from overpowering or distracting; instead, it compliments the other flavors. The darker fruits (plum, fig, cherry, raisin, and raspberry) are much more prominent in the taste. It is not overly spicy, either, but there is a hint of spice.
Drinkability: This definitely gets two thumbs up, but I now understand why it is offered in 250 ml bottles. Though it is very well masked, the alcohol is still potent.
Fun facts about whatever the hell it is called:
-Style: BA classifies it as “Belgian Strong Pale Ale.” Here is the skinny:
-Price: $3.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 50-55ºF.
-Alcohol content: 12 percent ABV. One webpage called it “the strongest beer made in Belgium.”
-Food pairings: BA recommends “General (Apéritif, Digestive) Meat (Game, Salmon).”
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
On BA the beer is known as “Bush Ambrée” because that is apparently its name in Belgium. Though the Belgians are excellent brewers, they are horrible with consistency.
Serving type: 250 ml bottle. That’s right: 250 ml. The back label features “Best before end” tabs along the side to be notched, but there are no notches.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color is cloudy, dark, caramel/honey. Two fingers of eggshell-colored, buttery head dissipated quickly, like it was late for a hot date. It left a bubbly ring around the edge and a thin skim.
Smell: Sweet fruit and spice. Apple, banana, plum, fig, cherry, raisin, raspberry, honey, a little brown sugar, and caramel. After a couple whiffs the spice fades far into the background. As expected, it has a hint of booze sharpness.
Taste: It basically mirrors the smell, but the booze is sharper once it hits the tongue. It is far from overpowering or distracting; instead, it compliments the other flavors. The darker fruits (plum, fig, cherry, raisin, and raspberry) are much more prominent in the taste. It is not overly spicy, either, but there is a hint of spice.
Drinkability: This definitely gets two thumbs up, but I now understand why it is offered in 250 ml bottles. Though it is very well masked, the alcohol is still potent.
Fun facts about whatever the hell it is called:
-Style: BA classifies it as “Belgian Strong Pale Ale.” Here is the skinny:
Like a Belgian Pale Ale, the strong versions will also be pale to golden in color. What sets them apart is a much higher alcohol content that can range from hidden to spicy to devastatingly present. Expect a complex and powerful ale, yet delicate with rounded flavors and big, billowy, rocky, white head. Hop and malt character can vary, most are fruity and quite hoppy, but hop flavor and aroma will generally be within the low range and artfully balanced.
Duvel is the quintessential example of this style, and many others have tried to imitate it with similar references to the devil.
-Price: $3.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 50-55ºF.
-Alcohol content: 12 percent ABV. One webpage called it “the strongest beer made in Belgium.”
-Food pairings: BA recommends “General (Apéritif, Digestive) Meat (Game, Salmon).”
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
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