Judge’s Review: 82 Rating – KEREL Paradise Ale by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery

Fruit Beer | Year-Round | Belgium

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 82
Aroma: 19
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 33
Mouthfeel: 6
Overall Impression: 14

KEREL Paradise Ale by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery is a fruited Belgian Blonde Ale and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (category 29A based on the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The fruit in Fruit Beers should complement the base style without overwhelming it. Belgian Blond Ales (category 25A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines) are average-strength Belgian ales that have a golden color and typical Belgian yeast characters such as fruity esters and peppery phenolics. KEREL Paradise Ale is fermented with passion fruit concentrate and measures in at 5.4% ABV.
KEREL Paradise Ale pours golden in color with a slight haze and a small white head. The aroma is moderately light pils malt with light peppery phenolics; light berry-like fruits and esters are in the background. The flavor is moderately light pils malt with light peppery phenolics. Light lemon and berry-like fruit flavors are present in the background.  The beer finishes moderately bitter with a distinctive sourness.
This is a drinkable beer for those that are not objectionable to a sharp dry and sour finish. But, as for judging a fruit beer, the fruit flavors are too subdued. Also, the base blonde style is more akin to a basic American Blonde Ale than a more assertive (think peppery phenolics and citrusy esters) Belgian style. Finally, the dry and sour finish hurts the quaffability of the beer.