By Jeff Evans

Nose

Instantly Belgian. Spicy, malty and winey-fruity but dry.

Palate

The ample malt character, with its soft caramel and nut flavours, could be rather heavy but here it's lightened by mouth-filling carbonation, with pear, pineapple and raisin fermentation flavours.

Finish

After a throat-burning swallow, the finish is light, combining sweet malt and fruit with bitterness from the hops.

Comment

An easy-drinking, tasty, Belgian ruby ale, in which the generous natural condition makes all the difference to the drinkability.

By Sally Toms

Nose

Pineapples, faint tobacco or the inside of a cedar box.

Palate

That familiar Belgian syrupyness finished with a bitter vegetably tang. Like spinach.

Finish

Bitterness fades quickly, leaving a little warming alcohol.

Comment

At 8.5% this one has about finished me off…