• American Lagers
• Barleywines
  
• Belgian Whites
  
• Belgian Ales I
  
• Belgian Ales II
  
• Beers from Canada
  
• Dubbles and Tripels
• English Ales
• Experimental / Historical
  
• Strong English Ales
• German Beers
• India Pale Ales
• Lambics
• Meads 2003
• Meads and Strong Ciders
  
• Mixed Styles I
• Mixed Styles II
• Mixed Styles III
• Mixed Styles IV
• Mixed Styles V
• Mixed Styles VI
  
• Oktoberfests 1999
• Oktoberfests 2000
• Pilseners
• Stouts 
• Strong Beers I
• Strong Beers II
• Strong Beers III
• Strong Beers IV
• Strong Beers V
• Strong Beers VI
  
• Wheat / Golden Beers

• Alpharetta / Cumming, GA
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
  
• Athens, GA
• Atlanta, GA
• Austin, TX 
• Belgium 
• Chicago, IL
  
• Denver, CO
  
• Fort Collins, CO
• Germany 2003: Munich, Kelheim, Regensburg
  
• Minneapolis, St. Paul
• Montreal, Canada
  
• Nashville, TN
• New England - RI, NH, ME
• New Orleans, LA 1999
• New Orleans Beer Tour Photos 2001
• New Orleans Craft Brewers Conf. 2003
  
• New York, NY 
• Philadelphia, PA
• Germany: Munich, Bamberg, Kulmbach, and Berlin 
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Tampa, FL 
• Chimay Trappist 
• Orval Trappist 
• Rochefort Trappist 
• Westvleteren Trappist 
• Westmalle Trappist 

 
 

 

Copper Creek is Athens' own brewpub, and they were gracious enough to host our evaluation of these beers.  Visit the pub soon for a fine selection of house beers and delicious menu items. Copper Creek Brewing Co. 140 E. Washington St. Athens, GA phone: 706-546-1102

Thel Melton and Jeff Rapp

Het Kapittel Abt  Belgian Specialty Ale  N.V. Van Eecke Brewery – Watou, Belgium  FIRST PLACE Aroma: Fruity and spicy with an earthy, Brettanomyces yeast character.  Sherry-like with a hint of banana bread in the aroma. Appearance: Creamy white head - clear and medium gold in color. Flavor: Thick and viscous with alcohol notes and a big mouthfeel.  This is a delicious ale with a great depth of rich, fruity complexity.

Terrible Belgian Strong Dark Ale  Unibroue – Chambly, Quebec, Canada SECOND PLACE Aroma: Subtle aromas of alcohol, fruit, spice, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Appearance: Dark brown with ruby highlights and a tan head. Flavor: Wood, toffee, sassafras.  Mouthfeel has almost an oily viscosity.  Flavors include figs, sweet malt, caramel apples, and blackstrap molasses.  A rich, dark ale with layers of flavors.

Stoudt's Abbey Double  Dubbel   Stoudt Brewing Co. – Adamstown, PA, USA THIRD PLACE tie  Aroma: Raisin, plum, honey, clove and other spices. Appearance: Dark amber with ruby highlights. Flavor: Malty with undertones of caramel, clove, plum, and raisin.  There is almost no hop flavor or bitterness.  Mouthfeel is full and viscous.  There is also a slightly vinous/cloying sweetness.

Saxo Belgian Blond Ale
Belgian Strong Golden Ale   
Brewery Caracole – Falmignoul, Belgium 
THIRD PLACE tie
Aroma: Honey, slight fruit, alcohol and phenolic hints.
Appearance: Great head retention.  Golden in color with a slight haze.
Flavor: Mineral-like dryness, slightly bitter and spicy.  Starts out dry but ends with a mild, sweet finish.  Nice balance of flavors.

Achel 8
Tripel
Brouwerij De Achelse Kluis – Hamont-Achel, Belgium 
HONORABLE MENTION
Aroma: Cellar-like and slightly musty with a spicy, cheesy note.
Appearance: Lacy white head with a light gold color and a touch of haze.
Flavor: Dry, slightly metallic, and mineraly with fruity, sweaty, yeasty, notes.  Tastes bready and wheaty.  A crisp beer with a dry profile.

Copper Creek Belgian Blonde Ale
Belgian Strong Golden Ale 
Copper Creek Brewery – Athens, GA, USA 
Aroma: Perfume, coriander, fruit, and banana.  Very nice aroma.
Appearance: Clear with a sparkling golden color.
Flavor: Mild flavors of coriander, clove, and other spices.  Malt profile is creamy and nice, but almost dry in the finish.  Hops are subdued.  A very pleasant ale.

Floreffe Abbaye Double
Dubbel 
Brasserie Lefebvre – Quenast, Belgium 
Aroma: Molasses, anise, brown sugar, spice, sassafras, and birch aromas.
Appearance: Dark brown with red hints and a thick, brown head.
Flavor: Rum, raisins, caramel, and clove.  A bit metallic - could be old.  Dry and a touch thin for style.  Somewhat cola-like.

Dogwood Winter Ale 2003 
Dubbel
Dogwood Brewing Company – Atlanta, GA, USA 
Aroma: Malty and yeasty with hints of ginger and roasted grains.
Appearance: Very light carbonation.  A dark brown color with haze.
Flavor: Roasty hints.  Malty with a thick mouthfeel.  A bit worty.  Fruit, caramel, and spice character is nice.