X53 - De Molen Op & Top (Netherlands)

A light, fine, airy nose with notes of tangerines, almonds, dried summer flowers and some saw dust. An interesting nose, although not that complex.

The taste is fine, fresh and pure with a light, sweet yellow fruit. Some tangerines and white chocolate. Very easy to drink. The bitterness is a little on the light side. It is good but it feels like I have missed out on something?

86p   (tasted from bottle - 2011/02)

X52 - Fuller´s India Pale Ale (England)

I have always liked this classic from Fuller´s. Not that intense as its fellow americans for example, but very yummy none the less.
The nose is soft, creamy and very good with notes of oatmeal cereal, fudge, newly baked bread and some resin. It is soft but in a velvety kind of way. Very good.
The taste is cool, rounded and sweet with very nice fruit, lots of sun warm hay and a nice bitterness. Long and fine. It is not a blockbuster but this kind of ale is so easy to drink and drink and drink...

88p   (tasted from bottle - 2011/02)

X51 - Achel Bruin (Belgium)

A deep, fine nose with notes of sweet root vegetables, blueberry soup, dark chocolate and a touch of mint. After a while some smoky notes appear. Very good. Gets more complex with air. Lovely.

The taste is big and tight with creamy dark fruit with a nice bitterness and a long, intense finish. Dark chocolate with a touch of mint, and a twist of soap, but in a nice way! Very, very, very good.

93p   (tasted from bottle - 2011/02)