1001 Beers

So here we are, 7% of the way through 1001 Beers...a loooong way to go.  And here goes beer #2 on my trip through 4 oddly shaped 330ml bottles.  This time it's Piraat from the same brewery as Gulden Draak, Brouwerij Van Steenberge.  Here again, we have a heavily malted beverage and again, 10.5% ABV.  This time it's a little bit easier to classify - a Belgian Strong Ale.  Hopped a little more than the Gulden Draak, this time, they add rice and sugar to the mash tun to ensure plenty of sugar for fermentation, hence the 10.5%.

Again though, this sort of heavily malted beverage just isn't up my alley.  But, like Gulden Draak, it's not a bad beer.  In fact, if I were a fan of these heavier malted beverages, Piraat would be right up my alley.  In fact, back in the day, I used to visit a local eatery, Hollingshead's Deli, I used to get Piraat quite often.  But then again, in those times, it was probably the 10.5% that attracted me to it.  Either way, if you haven't had a Piraat, it's definitely one to try - at least once.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Piraat by Brouwerij Van Steenberge

Aroma: 7/10
Appearance: 3/5
Taste: 7/10
Palate: 3/5
Overall: 12/20

Rating: 3.2 / 5.0

Pours golden yellow / orange with a slight white head. Aroma is mostly sweet with hints of honey, oranges, spices, and hints of citrus hops. Taste is mellow - sweet, malty, low hop flavors. Another fizzy beer from Van Steenberge, finishes slightly astringent with alcohol lingering. Good, just not great.