Cuvee Delphine - De Struise Brouwers

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The 2009 variation marked best before 7-15-2015, poured into a Portsmouth tulip.

A: It pours a deep dark menacing black that is completely opaque. There is a hefty two finger tan head that hangs on for a long time and leaves a good amount of lacing.

S: The nose is full of oak, whiskey and dark fruits. A tinge of apples cuts through as well with a tip of the hat to the house yeast.

T: A menacingly full bodied profile that just makes a man weep. There is a perfect balance between the barrels and booze. The yeast supplies a brief respite from the heavy flavors with a tinge of fruitiness, amazing to say the least. It finishes on a bitter sweet chocolate note rather dry.

M: Big, tough, and sticky. One of the best mouth feels I have come across.

O: I would rate this one of the better stouts I have tasted. Luckily I dodged infection, and I have some extras to cellar. Seek this one out.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 01:58:38 | More by Neffbeer

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.39/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle 13,0% Abv.
Served lightly chilled in a snifter.
2011 Vintage.

Thanks to Thijs for this one!

Appearance: Perfect! Cuvee Delphine appears obsidian in the glass, with a strong back light only able to reveal a micron of deep red along the edge of the glass. A rough pour yields a massive dark chocolate coloured head that lasts ridiculously well for a 13% BA beer and coats the glass in thick lacing as it slowly recedes.
A light swirl coats the glass in a yellow/brown residue that fades into light alcohol legs.

Smell: Mmmm, this smells fantastic! The Bourbon barrels are certainly noted, but they do not dominate the base beer like is usually the case. The initial nose offers deeply roasted malts, rich dark chocolate, some molasses and an overlay of vanilla-ery bourbon and sweet caramel. As the beer begins to warm, the nose opens up with notes of burned raisins, currants, dark caramel, a hint of char and a little liquorice.
Even at room temperature, there is virtually no alcohol noted in the nose.

Taste: Sadly the flavour isn't quite as good as the nose promised, primarily due to the fact that the barrel character is almost absent. That said, the base beer is still pretty damn delicious! Notes include: Heavily roasted malt, cocoa, a little espresso, char, burned raisins, molasses and a general dark fruity character. The finish is fairly bitter and there is no alcohol noted.

Mouthfeel: Initially the carbonation was of a medium-high level (usually too much for me), but was creamy enough that it was actually quite nice. The body is just shy of full and lightly sticky.

Overall: Another fantastic BA version of Black Albert and one I hope to have again soon!

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 14:38:12 | More by Thehuntmaster

muchloveforhops3

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

06-09-2013 19:09:54 | More by muchloveforhops3

ajzy

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

06-05-2013 21:55:27 | More by ajzy

mxchap

California

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-30-2013 04:11:43 | More by mxchap

wyatt13

Illinois

4.41/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My dad likes to randomly give me great bottles of beer on occasion. This was one of those cases -- thanks Dad! Poured from a 330 ml. bottle into a snifter.

A - Pours a muddy black color with one of the darkest colored heads I have ever seen. Two fingers of huge, creamy bubbles form on top, leaving immaculate lacing as I drink. The head retention on this thing is just absurd -- it seems to defy gravity.

S - My first impression is of dark fruits and lots of them! A mild chocolate note is complemented by a hint of bourbon. Maybe a tad of a licorice note and a bit of char.

T - Wow, quite complex. It starts very barrel-forward, and I was worried that it was going to be out of balance; however, it is reigned in by a roasted chocolate note and a bit of licorice. Finishes a little ashy or musty, with some coffee and burnt sugar. A unique sour twang as it warms up.

M - Definitely a full mouthfeel. Very slick and actually a lot of carbonation for something so heavy. A bit of residual sweetness coats the whole mouth.

O - For whatever reason, my expectations weren't super high for this one; regardless, any expectations that I did have were certainly exceeded. This was a great beer, with a ton of complexity. I continue to pick out more nuances as it warms. Most definitely worth trying at least once!

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 02:48:22 | More by wyatt13

Ralphs66

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-26-2013 19:53:47 | More by Ralphs66

campfirebrew

New York

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%

05-25-2013 04:43:25 | More by campfirebrew

TallSaint

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-25-2013 01:58:02 | More by TallSaint

unclejazz

New York

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-24-2013 02:12:35 | More by unclejazz

PeteRiz

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-23-2013 01:16:46 | More by PeteRiz

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-19-2013 18:05:16 | More by DeutschesBier

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-19-2013 00:21:24 | More by Photekut

jtladner

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-18-2013 13:33:42 | More by jtladner

jkane101

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-16-2013 22:16:09 | More by jkane101

mmcnaughton

Michigan

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-12-2013 19:19:34 | More by mmcnaughton

MaineBrewing

Maine

4.69/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

On draught at Novare res 8oz pour on " de struise day"

A - poured pitch black opaque with a good one finger darker tan head. Immediate lacing was apparent.

S - smell of roasted malts, dark fruits, slight acidity. Maybe the atmosphere but a very mild aroma.

T - very complex and delicious. The Belgian character adds a nice fruity finish a nice pedal point to the roasted malt character is domineering .nice smokiness in the finish, finishes a great balance between dry and sweet. Ample hop bitterness in the end with A slight sour character.

M - slow sipping but not too thick. Well carbonated and a balanced finish. The 13% abv is not really prevalent. Very drinkable.

O -very drinkable stout, yet very complex and requires time to reflect on the nuances. A real treat to have this on draught. Chose this over some rare and delicous offerings and don't regret it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2013 17:14:44 | More by MaineBrewing

beagle75

Iowa

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-04-2013 22:51:58 | More by beagle75

Grinky

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-04-2013 03:37:26 | More by Grinky

enelson

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-03-2013 15:29:44 | More by enelson

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap at Belmont Station

A: Pure black with a non-existent head. Spectacular legs, though

N: Roasted malt, chocolate, heavily roasted espresso, and oak. Quite a bit of licorice and there’s a backdrop of vanilla. Not particularly strong, though.

T: Tons of roast and there’s a pleasant sweetness balanced out by the slightest bitterness. Lots of the nose shows up here.

M: Thick, oily, and coating. Alcohol is expertly hidden.

O: A well oiled machine I’d recommend. Wish it had a little more barrel character, though.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2013 15:18:17 | More by writerLJBerg

mscudder

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-03-2013 01:48:22 | More by mscudder

Abio

Belgium

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

04-29-2013 14:12:01 | More by Abio

BierMeJohn

Germany

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

04-21-2013 12:11:43 | More by BierMeJohn

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.99/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Thanks to David for this bottle! Vintage 2011. Poured in to snifter.

A - Poured dark black with one finger of mocha coloured head that slowly receded to a thin layer with good retention.

S - Roast, smoke and licorice dominate with sweet milk chocolate and vanilla notes. The barrel is barely discernible.

T - A big, bold flavour profile. Roast, licorice and bakers chocolate up front that give way to sweet molasses, vanilla and some oak. As the beer warms a big cherry flavour asserts itself. There is no bourbon presence at all.

M - Medium to full body. Chewy. Light carbonation.

O - This was an excellent beer but the bourbon was non-existent, which was a little disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 19:05:41 | More by TheSevenDuffs