Hell’s Belle

Nutty, grainy malt initially takes center stage buttressed by a sweet, honey-like character. Light tropical fruit esters along with a spicy alcohol punch round out the aroma. The flavor likewise begins with a sweet bready/grainy, graham cracker maltiness that turns into tongue-grabbing bitterness mid-taste. Along the way, some peppery phenol spiciness adds depth and the expected Belgian character. The full body, combined with the elevated sweetness, suggests under-attenuation that is never quite balanced by the notable bitterness. The character swings from sweet to bitter, but never seems to be fully integrated. Esters and phenols contribute additional layers of complexity, bringing this beer closer to expectations.