Review - Piraat Beer 10.5%

Beer - Piraat
Brewery - Van Steerberge
Strength - 10.5%
Type - Strong Pale Ale

There's a lot of people who, having seen my drinking preference, have begun to guess drinks that I might like, so I have to thank Sully from the bar staff at the Swan and Mitre in Bromley for bringing me this ale as a gift. 

Brewed by Van Steerberge brewery in Belgium, it follows a series of similarly strong beers made by the brewery, including the blonde beer Duvel, brewed by the brewery in an Abbey setting. The brewery has a lot of experience in brewing strong beers so my sights were set high with this beer.

The beer itself has a strong hoppy flavour, and hits the palate subtly at first with it's intense depth of flavour that develops as you progress through the drink. When drunk directly from the bottle it has a thick bubbly texture but when poured properly into a small glass it has the perfect smooth and drinkable texture that garners it's high ratings and rave reviews. Covering a wide range of flavours behind the hoppy kick the beer fulfills all the requirements of a strong ale - it is full in flavour, having been refermented for depth of texture as much as taste, but does not move in the direction that many stronger beers move in and have an overpowering taste of alcohol. The beer is well rounded and is in perfect keeping with it's powerful brothers.

This beer goes well on it's own and was a perfect companion to a large roast lamb dinner. The hoppy flavour is high grade and therefore would be one to save for times where beer appreciation is in order, and NOT for drinking on the average night out. A high grade beer like this needs to be enjoyed on it's own, and I can guarantee that you should leave a fair period of time after drinking it if you plan on trying other beers, it's strong flavour is described as "overpowering" for a reason.

                                                                      GDBS - 9