Dolii Raptor - Calvados Barrel Aged
Birrificio Montegioco

Dolii Raptor - Calvados Barrel AgedDolii Raptor - Calvados Barrel Aged
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From:
Birrificio Montegioco
 
Italy
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.95 | pDev: 11.39%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
14
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 21, 2017
Added:
Jan 19, 2012
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
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Rated: 4 by Sparky44 from Illinois

Oct 21, 2017
Photo of darktronica
Reviewed by darktronica from Indiana

4.24/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2009 bottle, poured into a brandy snifter. Looks like it could be a spiced apple cider, with half a finger of head that quickly dissipates. Smells like calvados--as in, I just went downstairs to grab a bottle of calvados for comparison, and other than the brandy having more alcoholic sharpness, they're tough to distinguish. Perhaps this also has a tad more wassail spice and tartness to it, but it's absolutely rocking the barrel character. The flavor has a bit of grape and stone fruit to it, beyond the pear and apple in the aroma, as well as some yeastiness and pepper. Beware of a fair amount of yeast and sediment in the dregs, and pour accordingly.
Nov 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.98 by drew74 from Pennsylvania

Apr 27, 2015
Photo of georgeaaron
Reviewed by georgeaaron from Indiana

4.71/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
The best calvados aged beer I've ever had. I'm used to stouts aged in these barrels but a Belgian strong is the way to go. The apple / pear flavor stands out better.
Apr 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jul 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by spycow from Illinois

Jan 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Jun 08, 2012
Photo of Rifugium
Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
First had: bottle shared with some random person at Farmers' Cabinet, Philly, PA

Who am I to turn down a free share from a random stranger? Don't know how much this cost, and considering it was at FC, I think I'm better off not knowing.

Poured a slightly hazy orange-brown with a small whitish head that didn't stick around too long; moderate lacing. Aroma of Belgian yeast, somewhat vinous, light spice notes and a bit of funk. The aroma is reflected in the taste, some yeasty and grassy funk, somewhat overpowered by flavors of apple skin and white wine, mildly tart, notes of oak, spice, earth, and even a touch of vanilla perhaps. Pretty nice. Smooth, medium body, lower carbonation, quite enjoyable overall.
May 27, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by brotherloco from California

May 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by Archemedies from Massachusetts

Mar 11, 2012
Photo of MasterSki
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from West Lakeview Liquors. Served in a Cantillon tulip.

A - Unlike the regular Dolii Raptor (aged in Barbera wine barrels) this version is nicely carbonated, yielding a finger of white foam that settles to a thick cap and glass-coating lace. The body is a mostly transparent amber-orange with some stray bubbles visible when held to the light.

S - The smell, on the other hand, is quite similar to the wine version. Funk, oak, peppery yeast, earthen floor and musty basement abound. I initially got some sweet brandy notes, but the more time I spend with this the more gueuze-like it gets, with only glints of apple and stone fruit malts. Perhaps a bit of alcohol present amid all the oak, and mild lactic sourness.

T - Taste is bit less successful, with the beer maintaining the odd salty and spiced notes I detected in the original version. Again, there's quite a bit of oak present, with some brandy sweetness in the finish. The malt character comes out a bit more as this warms up, along with some tropical fruits (brett clausenii?).

M - Smooth texture, with some barrel tannins present in the finish that dry things out. Chewy, mildly sticky, with lower carbonation. A bit of alcohol warmth after 6-8oz, but nothing surprising.

D - Interesting stuff, and like most Italian beers I've tried it's very unique. Definitely a sipper that demands contemplation, as there is a lot going on here. Still, I largely enjoyed this beer, and happily consumed the whole bottle on my own. At $10 or so, it's too pricey for more than the occasional whirl, but you're not going to find any other beers that taste like it either.
Mar 08, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by chrispoint from Connecticut

Feb 18, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by hoppymcgee from Maine

Feb 14, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by projectflam86 from Ohio

Jan 21, 2012
Dolii Raptor - Calvados Barrel Aged from Birrificio Montegioco
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 14 ratings