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Beer details
Rating: 85

Augustijn

Brewery: Brouwerij Van Steenberge · Ertvelde, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Variety: Ale · Belgian / French Ales · Belgian Pale Ale
Alcohol: ABV 8.00% / ABW 6.40%
Preferred vessel: Goblet
Color: Red/Brown (American Amber) (13 SRM)
Added by bjornkri
Last updated by bjornkri

From Van Steenberge: Augustijn is a ‘living’ abbey beer with 8 % alcohol by volume that had been brewed by the Augustinian fathers of Ghent since 1295. In 1982, the recipe and distribution of the beer was taken over by brewery Van Steenberge at which time the flavor was also adjusted. Thanks to the improvements that were made to the existing recipe, you can now enjoy a golden amber-colored beer with a good head. Augustijn has a hoppy flavor with a malty background. The connoisseur may also detect a light fruity vanilla flavor.

Due to the fact that Augustijn, just like the other heavy Van Steenberge beers, undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle or in the keg, the taste becomes more full-bodied and mature the longer the beer evolves. Secondary fermentation is a process that takes place when a small amount of yeast and sugar is added to the beer when packaged into the bottle or keg. These are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide at a temperature of about 25° C, which is what creates the specific flavor.

Every occasion is a good occasion to enjoy an Augustijn. Augustijn is a beer that is appreciated at all kinds of receptions because of its mild and soft yet rich flavor!

Citrus, Fruity, Bananas, Hoppy, Green, Yeast, Cloves

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Reviews

  1. Review by bjornkri
    Rating: 92

    bjornkri

    drank this beer from a Goblet in Ghent, Belgium
    Jan. 24th, 2009 at 5:46 p.m.
    Comment:

    Seems to be fairly local, i.e. it’s hard to get it outside of East Flanders, although I might be wrong.

    On tap in my favourite jazz bar, have at least one almost every week. ;)

    Characteristics:
  2. Review by Dave S.
    Rating: 85

    Dave S.

    drank this beer from a Goblet in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Jan. 24th, 2009 at 7:38 p.m.
    Comment:

    Nicely spicy, with hints of plums, raisins and a bit of citrus. A touch yeasty thanks to the in-bottle fermentation (which also causes it to be seriously carbonated), but it goes nicely with the fruit and results in a nice bread pudding-like flavour.

    Characteristics: fruit spicy yeast
  3. Review by Beer47
    Rating: 80

    Beer47

    drank this beer from a Goblet in Palm Springs, CA
    April 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 a.m.
    Comment:

    Full review with photos: http://beer47.com/2009/04/van-steenberge-august…

    Condensed review: Appearance. Augustijn Ale has a foamy white head that lingers in a very thin layer on top of the beer until the last drop. It has a honey orange color and is cloudy like a gem stone.

    Smell. It has the expected Belgian yeast aroma, but with a slight twist like a fresh banana that is ever so slightly green and a hint of cloves. Unexpectedly, however, this beer has a subtle but nice citrus-orange hoppy bouquet. There is also the aroma of sweet barley malt.

    Taste. Augustijn Ale has a barley malt sweetness that is wel balanced by the hop bitterness. The malt flavor is much stronger tasting than is was smelling. The sweetness of the malt is enhanced by the fresh slightly-unripe banana. The clove is more prominent in the flavor probably by the slightly spicy hop flavors.

    Mouthfeel. Despite being 8% alcohol by volume, this is a medium-bodied beer. I calculated the final gravity to be 1.015. This might be due to the high alcohol content and the effervescence. The level of carbonation is pleasant and a touch higher than most North American craft beers that I have drinking lately.

    Drinkability. Except for Belgian witbier, I usually only want a single Belgian beer per session. Augustijn Ale, so far, is the exception. I think I enjoyed the particular balance of flavors that this beer imparts. I found myself craving another glass immediately upon finishing the first glass. I find this to be a much more drinkable Belgian without losing any of the Belgian beer qualities.

    Characteristics: citrus hops cloves green banana

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