A whole lot of Belgian Beer
Poured a dull brown with a nice beige head. Sweet aromas of malt, caramel fig and fruit. Initially sharp on the tongue but overall fairly mild. Predominantly sweet fruit flavors then bitterness takes over. One would think the sweetness and bitterness would balance out, but no. Label may say bruin but this is a dubbel by another name.
2.5 Stars.
Pours a dark brownish red… or brunette if you prefer. Very large beige head… Label derived bad pun possibilities aside. The beer gives off strong caramel and malt sweetness aroma right there with Belgian yeast spiciness. Caramel is the dominant flavor with a fruit sweetness undertone. Some bitterness but not enough to balance out the sweetness of the beer.
3 Stars.
Poured a clear brownish orange; beige head with some real staying power. Dark fruit, fig, mostly spicy yeast ester aromas. Smooth and creamy mouth feel. Malty sweetness, peppery at the back of the throat, not bitter, alcohol warmth. The beer mellows and the flavors mesh as the beer warms, or maybe that’s just the 10% ABV talking but I think not. I am not sure if there is such a thing as a Quad that I do not like
4 Stars.
Pours a bright straw color with a large amount of rapidly disappearing white head. Twirling the glass brings the head right back. Malt and a peppery yeastiness great the nose. Smooth, large amount of carbonation, tropical fruit, grainy malt loads of Belgian yeast character, finishes dry. Improves as the beer warms.
3.5 Stars.
Brother Isidorus Laaber was the first brew master of the Onze Lieve Vrouw of Koningshoeven Abbey. Originally brewed on the 125th anniversary of the brewery’s founding but now part of the permanent lineup.
Poured a rich but hazy amber with small bubbles making up the white head. A combination of malty, caramelly, fruity aroma with some classic Belgian yeasty spiciness. Large amount of carbonation greats you followed by overwhelmingly caramel flavors, light bitterness with a fruity finish. Nice.
4 Stars.
Poured a murky apricot with almost no apparent carbonation. Aromas of malt, caramel, fruit and some sweetness. Full bodied, smooth mouthfeel. Loads of complex flavor; sweet fruit (apple, banana, tropical) flavors are at the front, good alcohol punch, faintly herbal, some yeasty spiciness, lightly bitter with fruit and malt as a long lasting finish. Great sipping beer, which is probably a good idea since it weighs in at a hefty 12% ABV.
4.5 Stars.
Crystal clear and golden with a bright white head. Mild but classic triple aroma; mostly fruity, some spiciness. Thin body; some fruit, peppery spiciness much more pronounced on the tongue than the nose, fairly bitter finishes with flavors of fruit and grain.
3 Stars.
Bright and coppery, tan head with some real staying power. Aroma very Dubbel like. Silky smooth mouth feel, high carbonation, well balanced, some sweetness; dark fruit, malt and some faint spicy pepperiness. No trace of the 9% alcohol to be found.
3 Stars.
Get it? N’Ice Chouffe because it is a nice winter beer? Anyway puns aside the beer is appears a dark brown with a chocolate head. Mellow, bready aroma with faint fig or raisin sweetness. High carbonation, dark fruit flavors, low bitterness with a quickly fading aftertaste. Only thing giving away the 10% ABV is the warm sensation after a few sips.
4 Stars.
Pours a deep gold with a small amount of lasting fine white head. Fantastic floral and apricot aroma. Juicy on the tongue, fruity, yeasty esters, herbal bitter finish. Nothing lets you know there is 9% alcohol hiding in the glass. Less peppery than a typical Tripel but I dig it.
4 Stars.
Appears dark reddish-brown with ample long lasting beige head. Smells of malt, caramel, faint alcohol warmth. Taste reveals fruit, bready malt, some bitterness but very smooth with the alcohol detected by the nose hidden on the tongue. Nothing wrong but nothing stands out either.
3.5 Stars.
Poured a murky brown with a tan head. Malty, Biscuity, raisiny aroma. Easy drinking Dubbel, smooth mouth feel, classic flavors malt flavors heavy on the dark fruit with a long lasting aftertaste.
3.5 Stars
Pours golden with lively bright white head, the color is closer to what I would think a pale ale than a blond. Amazing aroma of ripe apricot, bready malt and classic Belgium yeast. Light, almost fluffy (not a descriptor I have used on beer before) mouth feel. Flavors line up with smell. Easy drinking with a mild, bitter finish.
3.75 Stars.
Pours a dark reddish-brown with long lasting biscuit colored head. Yeasty, bready aroma. Loads of carbonation, slightly bitter, a bit thin and watery, toffee, raisin, bread. This beer definitely improves and becomes more flavorful as it warms with complex fruit flavors coming forward. Perhaps I am being a bit harsh and I love St. Bernadus’ other beers but this one just tastes like a watered down version of the much bigger and better 8 and 12.
3 Stars.
Very light cloudy straw color in appearance with white head collecting in the center of the glass. Strong, strange, herbal aroma with some yeasty esters. Same strange aroma is the predominant flavor, though not as strong. Fairly dry. Overall an odd beer that is full of a flavor I cannot quite place and do not think I have experienced in another beer. I also cannot say that I particularly like it. This beer has no expectation date on the bottle but I am going to surmise that it has passed.
Pours a cloudy, light golden color with a small amount of rapidly dissipating white head. Herbal, citrus and yeasty notes, very balanced and quite inviting. The first sip reveals loads of citrus flavor. The second more citrus followed by coriander. Semi-sweet, a bit watery but still a flavorful beer. This beer is really quite a pleasant surprise as the bottle say best before 2014 and in a style not expect to age well. I would love to taste a fresh bottle.
Simply not fair to rate at this point (but 3.5 as is).
Best before November 2019, only half way there. Pours a murky dark reddish brown with a small amount of rapidly disappearing head. Complex aroma of peach, spice and faint bourbon. Fruity at first quickly switching to bourbon and charred oak, honey like sweetness, leading to a spicy, peppery finish. At 10% the alcohol doesn’t disappear but complements the other flavors very nicely. I would bet this will continue to age well. Aren’t all bourbon barrel aged beers stouts? Not this one and that’s a good thing.
4 Stars.
Old Fisherman’s Ale Aged On Oak.
Appears black in the glass but pours a dark brown with a very small amount of head. Aromas of chocolate and oak with some whiskey character. Creamy mouthfeel with plenty of carbonation, particularly for a beer with this much age. Bitter chocolate, fruit and spices finishes with oak followed by subtle vanilla. Full flavored; a great sipping beer.
4.5 Stars.
Dark golden orange in appearance. Ample frothy cream colored head that clings to the side of the glass as it slowly recedes. Delicate aroma; light fruit, light spice. Bitter with caramel and raisin and an alcohol forward aftertaste. Label states best before January 2016 but I suspect this particular bottle is overdue.
2.5 Stars
Bottled December 2012, best before February 2018. The label states “very strong beer” and at 13% ABV I would have to agree. Pours a deep black with a dark brown head. Aroma is very inviting with dark chocolate and roasted malt with some alcohol punch. The first sip reveals coffee, chocolate, coffee flavors (in that order). Some sweetness but not overly so. The alcohol lingers on the tongue but is well balanced and complementary. Very mellow with no hot alcohol bite. I am happy to sip this one all night.
5 Stars.
