Scaldis Amber

Name: Scaldis Amber (A.K.A. Bush Ambree')
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Owner: Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl
Courtesy of: Insop Song

BeerAdvocate Rating: 87 (Very Good)
RateBeer Rating: 90,81
ABV: 12%

Around about the time America was about to be a place, almost exactly nothing was really going on in Belgium.  A farmer named Joseph Leroy decided his farm would be a much better place if he made some beer to keep the workers and the residents of a little town called Pipax happy.  Brasserie Bubuisson is the oldest brewery in Wallonia, but I'm not sure how much of a distinction that is.  Time marched on and the brewery is now run by the Dubuisson Brothers, and we find it today producing several brews and some franken-fruit-flavored atrocities.

The beer we're having today is an amber-colored Strong Ale, which is what they're known for.  Here in the States it's sold as Scaldis amber, but in Europe you'll find it called "Bush."  Since that name doesn't exactly mean "high quality" in America, it's no surprise they re-brand it here.

Serving:
Heartily poured from a 330ml brown bottle into my favorite Steady-Temp double-wall beer glass.  The glass giggled a bit.

Appearance:
This ale pours a deep, cloudy amber with virtually no head, no matter how hard you throw it into the glass.  It's so cloudy that you absolutely cannot see anything at all through it... not even light.  Lacing is "barely there," which is really surprising considering the full-body one would expect of a Strong Ale.

Smell:
You're immediately greeted by a heady mix of orange peel, peach, banana and lightly roasted malt.  Ale yeast comes flying through, lending a bready after aroma.  There's the slightest tinge of clean alcohol, but it's certainly not overpowering.

Taste:
The brew comes on strong with the taste of citrus and white wine.  Through the middle there's very juicy mixed fruit, like a punch almost.  You're left with a prominent alcohol aftertaste, once again reminiscent of white wine cooler.

Mouthfeel:
The body full and satisfying, you're never really sure if you're drinking a beverage or chewing bread.  The tail is slick and pleasant; you definitely know you've been drinking.

Overall:
Taken in totality, I find this one to be just a little better than okay.  It's quite good and I would happily drink it, but it's not one I would drive all over town looking for.  If you see it while you're out and about, give it a shot.