Saranac Belgian Ale

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

It has a thin off white head over an amber color brew that looks to have to have been filtered. The aroma has a definite Belgian malt and yeast character that I like. Its flavor is very malty and sweet with some classic Belgian yeast and fair amount of hops that give it some citrus and bitter notes. The palate is medium bodied with a nice smooth texture and carbonation. Overall it's not as complex as other Belgians but it is still a decent brew.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Didn't know what to expect with this one. Usually a generic belgian ale is blonde unless it's labeled brune. This one was a brune... medium brown, wtih a pale, thin head. Lots of belgian spice on the nose. Kinda' thin bodied for the style. Dry, with a nice hop/malt balance. Not too fruity as is caracteristic of most belgian ales. Actually a nice little beer, however, not really a belgian ale.

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

This one is fresh out of the Saranac Winter Sampler pack. Aroma on this ale is of some musty yeasty overtones as well as some mild candy sugar and maltiness with some sweetness and maybe some thin, dark fruity overtones and is not bad at all. Appearance is a deep burgundy amber in color when held to the light with some haziness with a very full head on top that is off-white in color and frothy and remains on top leaving fine lacing. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with decent complexity as well as balance with a palate that is clean but wet-like and coats nicely and is pretty well-rounded. Flavor is of caramelized maltiness with some sweetness and some Belgian yeast with an aftertaste that offers some dark plums and prunes with a finish that is sweet and not all that bad but seems a bit thin. Overall, not a bad example of the style and I don't think this brew is bottle-conditioned but nonetheless is quality for the price and a good, solid example...

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

Poured a deep red amber, with a half inch of creamy white head. Aroma is spices, cloves, nutmeg, some fruity zest and hops. Tastes a little sweet with some yeast, fruits, carbonation is well balenced.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 4

I'm a fan of Saranac but this beer comes nowhere close to the world class, authentic trappist beers. Pours light coppery brown with a beige head that's slightyly lacking. Mouthfeel was light. Flavor had hints of what a trappist might taste like but misses the mark.

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

Definitely the worst of the winter pack. I don't drink beer for its appearance, but the aroma was decent. Flavor of spiced plums did not fit well with the brief splash of hops they threw in. Unpleasant aftertaste. This isn't really how they make beer in Belgium is it?

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

This poured a hazy orange-amber color with a nice looking head that disappeared rather quickly. There was a fairly strong hoppy aroma. the flavor was a diversion from the typical Belgian Ale and there was a bitter aftertaste as well.

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

Poured a lightly hazy, copper color with a small, white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of orange peel, citrus fruits, tangerine, some toast, and faint cardboard. Taste of tart citrus fruits, caramel malts, some banana, tea leaf, yeast, with a watery mouthfeel. Moderately hoppy in the finish.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 4

This had a hazy rusty orange color, looking like a stronger belgian ale. Aroma had some fruit and yeast. Medium bodied with lots of fine tingly bubbles. Tastes of oranges and coriander spice............. It got some flavor but falls apart in the finish where it turns kinda bland and uninspiring. Not that i was expecting too much with this. but it had promise i suppose ..............There was also a persistant acidity in the finish, sorta nasty, that didnt agree. But altogether, a decent beer i might buy if it was sold alone. E for effort i guess.

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

Saranac Belgian Ale was a disappointment. I think Saranac should leave the belgium beers for the real brewers in Cooperstown. This one poured a golden color with not much head at all. There is not much to speak of in taste. It was slightly sweet with minor notes of yeast and fruit. Why did I buy the 12 beers of winter....oh yeah for poker night!