too late for a medal

One might think this was a special brew for an Olympic year, but it's just one of Brabante's regulars.  I think I haven't come across it out of the bottle, but maybe it has been on tap at Toast in the past.  The Olympic thing is mostly because of the name: Oro.  It's a double fermented golden ale, so it should pack a sweet little kick, like it's Belgian role models.

There's a little tangy sweetness in the smell, more like many dark beers, although Oro definitely lives up to its name in the color.  It has a heavy, sweet, malty flavor, again recalling a darker beer than this one, probably most like a bock.  While not sugary or syrupy, it feels like a beer that would be better on cooler evenings than we're having.  It's smooth and easy to swallow, but not as snappy as the bitter of an IPA or even a stout would be.  The strength of the sweetness fades a little with some time, but it doesn't go sour or leave a weird aftertaste, which is pleasant.

Supplier: Carrefour
Price: €1.99

for the ancestors

As odd as it sounds, just being called Farmer's Choice is what drew me to this brew.  Must be feeling some nostalgia.  The farm on the label looks nothing like Iowa, but still.

Er, who's pouring what for who here?

It pours out very light colored, making me think more of lemonade when it settles into the glass.  The yellow color is more golden than lemon, though.  There is a slightly sweet scent, but nothing overpowering.  The first taste makes me think this beer wants to be bitter, but can't quite get the hang of it; first a little sweet fruitiness comes in, then it gets a little sour, but pleasantly so.  Just a touch of bitterness hangs around on the tongue after the beer has gone down.  Something in it reminds me of cider, or even a Belgian lambic, although not nearly as cloying as lambics have been for me.  It's more like a northern Spanish cider, and considering the origin, there's a certain sense about that.  For me, it needs to be drunk pretty quickly, before it warms up too much, or the flavor gets to be a bit heavy.  On a warmer night than this, it would be a very nice day closer.

To sunsets to come