Top Tastings 2008. A shorter version was first published on facebook January 2009.
ABV: 7.3%
Origin: Bavikhove, West-Vlaanderen
Website: www.bavik.be
Bavik Petrus Aged Pale
Established in 1894 and now a sizeable family-owned independent, Bavik (sometimes known as De Brandenbere after the owning family) made its name with sour brown ales, some of which were blended with a pale ale aged for 20 months in oak casks that was never released on its own. Requests from Michael Jackson and the brewery’s US importer persuaded it to bottle the pure pale, initially only for export, thus the English name, but it now also enjoys a following in the domestic market, where I found it on the list of specialities at Antwerpen’s excellent Waagstuk pub.
This deep golden beer has a light and bubbly white head and a perfumed orange aroma with a touch of sharpness and candied fruit. A sweet-sour almost geuze-like palate has pale malt, lactic notes and a dash of marmalade, and an oily swallow leads to a tart citric finish, with bitter hops giving way to late vanilla and old books. We should be thankful this one-of-a-kind, surprisingly light textured and well-balanced beer has finally seen the light.
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