Judge’s Review: 95 Rating – Devil in a Blue Dress by Butcher and the Brewer

Belgian Golden Strong Ale | Limited Release | USA

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 95.00
Aroma: 22.00
Appearance: 6.00
Flavor: 38.00
Mouthfeel: 10.00
Overall Impression: 19.00

Devil in a Blue Dress by Butcher and the Brewer is a Belgian Golden Strong and is being evaluated as a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (category 25C from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  Belgian Golden Strong Ales are noted for their deceptive strength, light color and simple malt profile as well as prominent yeast-derived citrusy esters and peppery phenolics with an occasional complement from hops. Devil in a Blue Dress measures in at 9.5% abv.
Devil in a Blue Dress pours golden in color, and is clear with a huge fluffy white head. The aroma is moderate peppery phenolics with lighter citrusy esters and herbal hops. The flavor is moderate-light peppery phenolic with light pils malt and citrusy esters. A hint of herbal hops hides beneath the prominent peppery phenolics. The beer finishes moderately bitter with moderate peppery phenolics again taking prominence. Light citrusy esters and light herbal hops round out the finish in this fairly dry and moderate-strongly carbonated beer.
Devil in a Blue Dress is a solid Belgian Golden Strong Ale. The phenolics are prominent with lighter malt and hops. The beer is appropriately dry, deceptive in alcohol strength, and well carbonated.  Drinking this ale reminds me of sitting outside of a café in Grote Markt in Antwerp. Cheers!