BEER REVIEW: 313

BREWER: Van Steenberge, East Flanders, Belgium

STYLE: Belgian Red Ale

ABV: 10.5%

VESSEL: 33CL brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 6th October 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Can anyone remember a drink named cherryade (generic, not brand specific)?  For me, it’s synonymous with childhood.  A pretty awful drink that turns the inside of your mouth red, making you resemble a distant relative of Count Dracula.  Well, it still exists.

Here’s the thing – Piraat has the hue of cherryade when it’s unleashed in the glass.  And to be fair, catch a passing whiff of Piraat, and you could be further tricked into thinking it’s our long lost friend, cherryade.

But there, thankfully, ends any resemblance between the two.

Piraat, took me by surprise.  I was not expecting the summer fruity taste sensation that it delivers both through the old hooter and when tipping it down my throat.  It is so well balanced and has tremendous presence in the mouth.  Yes, it’s a great drinking experience.

Here’s the kicker:  Piraat comes in at 10.5% abv.  Believe me, that makes it a dangerous drink.  It’s so easy to polish one of these off, that before you know it, you’ll be on your back with the world spinning around you.

I was genuinely surprised at how good a drop Piraat is.  It’s a wonderful beer and I look forward to the next time I meet this swashbuckler.  

Sammy’s Rating: 86%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Wow! What a beer this is!

Of recent times, most, if not all of the high ABV brews I’ve had (whether on a MOB test or just personal consump) have been of the craft variety and have hidden the super strength VERY well! As I’ve mentioned in previous musings the techniques and wizardry of the modern craft brewer are evolving at an amazing rate. It only seems like yesterday that most DIPA’s, TIPA’s and the like tasted strrrrrrong, still lovely, but STRRRRONG and pretty boozy too, as you would expect. But nowadays most of these big boys taste like they’re more like 5.5/6%! It’s mental!

However, this large lad tastes VERY STRONG INDEED, but (and this is where the genius comes in I believe), not particularly boozy. As in, there is no alcohol burn whatsoever.

Piraat Red really is a hit you between the eyes but sit down and savour kinda brew. The whole savour thing begins before you have even had a sip. It pours so well, looks incredible in the glass and smells great. I found myself just looking at it for at least a minute or so. Once I broke out of the trance and actually got PR underway two things immediately struck me. CHERRY and PILLOW SOFT MOUTHFEEL. We’re onto a winner here Jym lad I whispered to myself.

The theme very much stays along the cherry line but slight notes of vanilla develop the more you move through the drink, which is delightful. Now, I’m going to finish with something that I’m not sure I’m going to be able to convey properly. The late aftertaste has a subtle red wine vinegar tone to it. Absolutely not in a bad way (you’re just gonna have to trust me here) but in a way that complements and enhances like vinegar does with food when used correctly. Don’t get me wrong, its not vinegary, there is just a touch of acidity at the end that without doubt boosts an already cracking experience.

Great drop indeed.

Jymi’s Rating: 89%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 87.5%

MOB review next weekend: HAWKSTONE LAGER by COTSWOLD BREW CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2023