pours a slightly cloudy straw yellow with a creamy two fingers of white head; decent retention and nice lacing. pretty much the epitome of how a belgian strong pale ale should look.

aroma is a really nice bouquet of belgian yeast, citrus, banana, malts, and a touch of spice. flavor substantiates the aroma, with all the above-mentioned characteristics following through nicely. very tasty beer, and i'm not a big BSPAguy (although i'm starting to warm up to it)... has a dry finish... probably the measuring stick against which otherbelgian strong pales are judged, which is not to say it can't be (or isn't) surpassed. brooklyn local 1 might give it a run for its money... would like to stack it up against that, DT, mischief, maybe a few others in a tasting.

medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. creamy, crisp. pretty drinkable considering its 8.5% ABV. definitely a classic in its style.