Off the pour, the beer is a solid golden color with an ivory-colored head of loose bubbles and a lower retention. The aroma is of sweet clean malt, some spicy pepper. I also get a high pome fruit aroma, a combination of apple skins and juicy pear flesh. There is also some kind of herbal and phenolic element to the aroma that I’m not fond of. The flavor is very nice; it’s sweet up front and the malt character is light and clean. There are low bittering hops, and a lot of fruity esters and some pepper. I’m digging the flavor a lot more than the aroma. Whatever that herbal or phenolic character is, it works in the flavor and hits me towards the front end of the sip. The carbonation is just barely enough to wash over the sweetness, so the beer may be a bit too sweet for some people. Still the flavors are good, the body is a bit more full and viscous than I expected but not bad, and the aroma is OK. All in all for a Belgian Golden ale, it’s a solid pick.
Start 14-Day Trial Subscription
*No credit card required
Lips of Faith: Hof Ten Dormaal Golden Ale
For our latest Lips of Faith collaboration, we teamed up with friends Hof Ten Dormaal from the small village of Tildonk, Belgium. Like New Belgium, Hof Ten Dormaal blurs the line between tradition and innovation: The charming family-owned farm and brewery produces everything from classic Belgian blonds to sours fermented by ambient flora to forward-thinking hoppy saisons. In that spirit, we’ve joined forces to craft a deliciously uncommon springtime golden ale, which blends Old World ingredients with modern flavors. Spelt, malted sunflower seeds, and wild carrot herbs swell for a nutty, bready, grassy wash, while Saaz and Mosaic hops lend spicy, tropical accents to the sip. Kick off your winter boots and welcome in the fresh flavors of spring.
