Pelican Bridal Ale

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

October 2005 Bottle Date, Sampled January 2008
A mix of spicy, really peppery notes and oxidized malt character reach my nose as I pour this beer. The head musters up a frothy, amber tinged, tan colored head the peaks just over a finger in height. The beer is a brilliantly clear, cranberry red color. A deeper inspection of the aroma yields aromas of ginger, light sherry, prune, and a substantial malt character of toasted bread crust, touches of soda crackers, touches of caramelized malt and a nice grain character. I really like how softly spicy (really a white pepper note) the aroma is and the initially noticed oxidation is not nearly as present once you get down to it.

Somewhat sweet up front, the beer has a bit of heft to it up front but seems to thin out as you move to the finish. Oxidized malt flavors provide a touch of sherry and seem to accent a pepper bite in this beer. A medium-low level of carbonation provides a touch of an offset to the malty body. Quite a bit of caramelized malt character is here, though without contributing overly to the sweetness of this brew. A touch tart in the finish, as well as having a light, though noticeable bitter hop bite. This has an interesting woodiness to it too; slightly tannic, touches of buttery-oak and even something like vanilla, a mix of flavors I was not expecting from this un-oaked beer (though these notes are certainly soft and subtle).

This has survived quite well in the two-and-a-half years since being bottled. It is definitely starting to show some oxidation, but not overly so and this seems to somehow accentuate the spicy pepper note that I like so much in this brew. There is not much else I could ask from a 2+ year old Bier de Garde; a near perfect mix of lagered, yet spicy, malty, lightly aged character; though of course I will by saying that it could use a touch more complexity.

Purchased via mail order: Liquid Solutions

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

This Biere de Garde pours a deep orange color from a 750ml cork finished bottle. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity and sweet, perhaps a touch of spice. A medium bodied Biere de Garde. Malts are fruity and sweet. There is a touch of mango and pineapple. Hops are earthy and mild. Nice balance. A touch sweet. Good carbonation. Not bad, but nothing really special here, not bland but just not much there. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 5

I had this at the San Diego Strong Ale fest, courtesy of beerguy101. It's copper colored, dry and slightly hoppy, other than that, not much was going on here

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

80/450... Poured a hazy amber color with a small, creamy, off white head, that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of citrus fruits, light spices, earth, and some mint leaf. Taste of caramel malt, yeast, light grass, some citrus fruits, bandage, and some sweet malt. Finishing with light hoppiness. Thanks for sharing this hopdog!