St. Sebastiaan Dark - Brouwerij Sterkens N.V.

xodin

Louisiana

4.22/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Full, crisp, and dark mahogany body, and plenty of head. Love the presentation in the ceramic bottle. Pleasant, but subtle aroma. Above average taste, smooth from front to back, fruit flavors and hops come out more the longer the taste buds are exposed, some hints of spice linger after swallowing. Silky, yet foamy throughout the mouth, very enjoyable to savor each drink for an extended period.

Serving type: growler

01-09-2011 23:14:48 | More by xodin

Stonepot

Ontario (Canada)

4.88/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On a rainy night while my little one sleeps gently in his crib, I search frantically through the entanglement of kitchen wares I call a top drawer, and after many guffaws and sighs I finally procure my bottle opener, sit down on the terrace and crack open one of the finest brews I have ever had. Life is glorious.

Serving type: growler

08-02-2009 12:08:47 | More by Stonepot

nephilae

California

2.38/5  rDev -38.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

A dark and syrupy beer. Slightly sweet, not particularly hoppy or flavorful. ZERO CARBONATION upon pouring into the goblet. As in NO bubbles. I'm not sure if this is a common problem, but if it is, I'd be hesitant to try it again. It's not good flat, but I see that it could potentially be good with the proper carbonation. I might try it again, and update my review....

Serving type: growler

09-29-2008 04:21:22 | More by nephilae

Deus1138

Georgia

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour: Dark. Darker than I expected.

Smell: Mild sweetness, and surprisingly, some roasted malts.

Taste: Lots going on here. Dark fruit sweetness, maybe some nut flavor in there too. Roasted malts. Tastes kind of like a sweet stout.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy. Just the right amount of carbonation.

Drinkability: This is good stuff. I was surprised by the roasted malt flavors I was detecting. If I had to recommend a Dubbel, I'd recommend it to a friend.

Serving type: growler

11-26-2007 00:43:34 | More by Deus1138

KajII

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

[Suggested Glassware: Trappist Glass]

The pour was a murky dark brown with a slight reddish hue and an average (1-2 finger) light brown creamy head, which reduced down to a medium film and collar with excellent sheeting of lacing.

The aroma was strong of a musty Belgian yeast and a toasted grain malt with notes of toffee, dark fruit (dates and figs) and a mild medicinal odor.

The taste was a tad sweet with a nice malty feel, a hint of toffee and a slight chocolate presence from the start, becoming ever so lightly bitter with a good sweet yeast taste and a note of dark fruit and a slight medicinal flavor right at the end. The flavor lasted an average duration following the swallow, with a dry, bitter and slightly fruity taste left lying on the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was medium in body with a dry, creamy texture and a ticklish carbonation.

Overall this was a decent enough Dubbel, which was rich and creamy and had a nice bold yeasty taste. Although I did think it was a bit over carbonated, it did still possess a smooth and satisfying drinkability...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 15:38:56 | More by KajII

DavidST

Texas

3.53/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a pint ceramic bottle into a tulip glass, best before 08/29/2016. This pours a dark brown almost black with a massive tan head which dissapates in a few minutes to a thin film. The smell is mostly malty, dark fruits, coco. The feel is mediumish high carbonination. The taste is okay, lighter than expected, you get some brown sugar, plum, coco, light malts.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 03:59:26 | More by DavidST

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Review from 10/2010 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a deep murky red amber with a fast dissipating off white head. Aroma of malt and cola, nice. Taste is light toasty malt, fruits and cola, abruptly finishing to nothing. Light to medium bodied. Very subdued and uninteresting. Not unpleasant, but boring.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 19:00:12 | More by LiquidAmber

XicanoBeerRun

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Fantastic heavy ceramic bottle. Dark cola-like head with large abundant bubbles. Head faded fast. A lot of carbonation rolls around the mouth. Needs to warm up a bit. Tastes sweet and is more complex than other dubbels I have had. I did not pick up on bubble gum notes as I have in other dubbels, which was nice. It was a good dubbel, but dubels are not my thing.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 17:50:54 | More by XicanoBeerRun

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a snifter glass.

Look - dark brown/black with about two and a half fingers' worth of frothy khaki-colored foam that dissipates somewhat slowly.

Smell - pretty malty-smelling, as the type would suggest. But it also seems like there's something like a caramel syrup, which of course can't be the case with the purity law and all.

Taste - malty indeed, but it has a different taste than I was expecting. It tastes more like a dark or roasted German Pilsner. Interesting choice of barleys. Not much of an aftertaste except for the grains.

Mouthfeel - very well-balanced, pretty close to perfectly between the watery and/or creamy sides.

Overall - not a bad brew at all! Very interesting to taste, and given the purity law, pretty amazing in the quality and complexity involved.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 03:38:28 | More by Nerudamann

Lexiconical

New York

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

There may not be much variety in the taste, but this is one of the most friendly dark beers you'll find. Goes extremely well with food. Comforting, nutty flavor, pleasant smell, great mouthfeel, and pleasant appearance. Well worth the world class rating it gets from the bros. If you drink this while not eating YMMV.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 15:04:43 | More by Lexiconical

Drinkerofales

California

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown with cinnamon in the glass from the light. A good sized tan head dissipates quickly to leave some lacing and a nice cap that stays throughout the whole drink.

Smells of molasses, thick, dark, dense, with a hint of dark fruits.

Tastes of roasted malt, and a hint of bitter chocolate.

A smooth beer, well carbonated to make it's medium body feel light.

I was a little disappointed in the flavor, almost one note. All the other aspects of the beer were better done.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 08:41:21 | More by Drinkerofales

ikantspel

California

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 oz bottle served into a duvel tulip

best by date of 01.07.2016

pours a lurking dark brown color with a modest foamy head that leaves behind a nice lacing

heavy dark fruits, heavy toasted malts, oak aged smell, and some brown sugar in the smell. could pass as a quad

follows the nose, but was surprised to find a hint of citrus in there as well

mouthfeel as pretty light considering the style

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 04:32:00 | More by ikantspel

teromous

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First off, the bottle is very cool. I won't base my review of the appearance including the bottle...but it will be a keeper.

A: The beer has a very nice brown color. It's hard to describe, but it has a sort of "soft brown" appearance as it's poured. In the glass it appears very dark brown, with lighter shades at the bottom. The head is perfect. It's a light shade of tan, with lots of creamy foam that sticks to the side of the glass.

S: It smells wonderful. There's a sweet candy-like scent to the beer, like vanilla and strawberry taffy. I get the strong smell of figs, instantly. It has a distinctly Belgian scent...completely unmistakable.

T: It has a very light fruit taste to it, like raisins and even some plum. The malt character is very light, but just enough sweetness.

M: It has a nice pleasant mouthfeel. The body is light, hinting at medium. Nicely carbonated.

O: Overall I think this is a really nice beer. It has a very light character. I would drink it again and would recommend it. It would go well with a number of dishes, such as a lightly seasoned steak or a light dessert desert.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 02:45:33 | More by teromous

SLeffler27

New York

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fills a St. Bernardus challis clear, dark copper with garnet highlights and a creamy champagne head of about one inch that slowly settles, never fully dissipating. Puts up a film with each sip but no lacing.

This has a sweet/tart cherry and cranberry aroma with fresh fig and dates. Subtle green apples linger in the background.

Flavors are all rather subtle and pleasant; however, I am accustomed to bolder dubbels. Tartness follows cranberry flavors. Applesauce comes out with warmth. This one would easily rate higher were it not for the style guidelines.

Softly carbonated with a silky texture. Medium body, this one is fairly dry.

St. Sebastiaan is very approachable as a good, relaxing beer. It would also work well with mild foods.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 22:38:09 | More by SLeffler27

nickthetick

Maryland

4.95/5  rDev +27.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: pours an almost opaque black-brown with some mahogany tints that shine through when held to the light in a DFH signature glass. It opened with an amazing burst and the head matches the sound, big (almost three fingers) and tan. The head hangs and drops slightly each time your lips hit it and leaves beautiful lacing.

S: absolutely gorgeous. Woody, oak like, cherries, dates, figs, plums, raisins, yeasty, bananas, some pears, and light lemon notes. Licorice, anise, cardamon, clove, cinnamon, caramel and sweet dark brown sugar.

T: matches well with the nose, the oaky and dark fruit flavors are right up front. The fruits make the transfer into the spicy by mingling and creating an altogether new flavor with a side of the sweeter lighter fruits and candies. Bananas make a an appearance throughout the beer and a bit of lemon is left on the tongue.

MF: a tad chewy, but great effervescence, not at all warm but just slightly dry on the finish.

O: just the perfect beer, it was a christmas present from last year and after sitting there for so long I thought I should probably drink this. I'm so very glad I finally did. This is by far one of, if not, the best dubbel I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 03:47:36 | More by nickthetick

raznug

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: It pours a black in color with some red highlights it is light enough that I can still see light through it. The beer is topped with almost an inch of tannish head in the snifter.
Smell: The main aroma in this beer is malt with yeast character not too far behind, a small amount of spice notes are way in the back to keep that Belgian style in your head.
Taste: Carbonation hits the palate first followed by a little malt flavor and some of the spices that were in the nose. I was expecting some yeasty flavors but none are present.
Mouthfeel: St. Sebastiaan is on the thin side which really doesn’t let the flavors stick to the tongue like I would hope but it makes it very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 15:11:33 | More by raznug

Phocion

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

550ml capped, swing-top ceramic bottle poured into a goblet. Date of 08/01/14 on the bottle. Dark mahogany body with a thin crown of large bubbles, but absolutely no actual head to speak of.

Aroma is of alcohol, molasses, caramel, chocolate, toasted nutty malts, and dark fruits (dark cherries, plums).

Flavor is very fruity, including just a touch of sour cherries. A bit woody and definitely a good dose of caramel malts, but not cloying, and in fact a rather dry and vinous finish.

Medium-bodied with medium carbonation, and just a slight alcoholic warming presence.

The slight tartness definitely holds the sweet malts in check. Overall, not too bad but I've definitely had better Belgian dubbels.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 00:35:11 | More by Phocion

Amalak

New York

4.18/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Well, first off, the bottle is fantastic. It's very, very dark red/brown with bubbles tracing the glass and a massive foamy head that leaves a good deal of lacing. It has a malt and soapy scent to it.

It's very high in alcohol. There's a maltyness that pervades throughout and a dark fruit taste of grape. Thick and very heavy, yet smooth in short doses. Interesting.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 03:12:27 | More by Amalak

atlason

New York

3.4/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from clay bottle into tulip.

A: Dark brown, small head with small amount of lacing. The white head does make a pretty contrast to the dark brown beer.

S: Roasted coffee, sweet barley. Fairly straightforward but pleasant. Some Belgian yeast character.

T: Smooth yeast profile gives a full flavor to this dark ale. Feels like gliding over the dark depths of the roasted malts.

M: Low to medium carbonation provides barly enough balance for the medium attenuated beer. Pretty drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 02:08:48 | More by atlason

taigor

New York

4.15/5  rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from ceramic bottle into chalice glass.

A - Poured dark brown non-transparent color with big head that very slowly dissipated leaving lots of lacing around the glass.

S - Lots of yeast, malts, figs and nuts. Very Belgian like smell.

T - Very bready and yeasty with sweet malts and dark fruits and a nutty dry finish.

M - Medium bodied with high carbonation.

O - Very good dubbel that I highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 18:17:56 | More by taigor

foogerd

New York

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Dirty brown body with a caramel colored one inch thick head. Looks like coke.

S- Dried candied figs, some cinnamon, dark breads, a bit of metal in the mix.

T- Malt bready bomb with dark fruits.

M- Thick and a bit chewy.

O- Good Dubbels, not worth the 12 bucks. Drinkability is certaintly high.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 03:25:15 | More by foogerd

hoser

Alberta (Canada)

2.7/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A bottle that have been abused a bit but this beer has a thin metallic body to it that is not the pleasing and more fusels than this reviewer like in Belgian Dubble. Thankfully big ass porcelain bottle was gift. Becoming more drinkable as it warms up but not enough for me to change my numbers. Definitely not the first dubble I would reach for but definitely not the last.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 23:35:26 | More by hoser

feylure

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this little number at a restaurant that was more wine oriented.

Poured a nice dark, unclouded brown with decent amount of carbonation. I'll have to steal the bottle away from the waiter next time because he clearly didn't know how to pour a beer.

Smell was sweet, malty and lightly spicy.

Taste had a completely full mouthfeel with dark, almost roasty overtones. The taste wasn't too complex, and the carbonation struck me as a bit much.

Overall, this is an ok beer. I won't be getting it again because I didn't find it to be as good as the packaging might suggest.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 01:14:40 | More by feylure

spree92

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 500ml bottle. Fluffy white head topped the off black beer. Dried fruit and apple are in both smell and taste. Hardly no carbonation makes this easy to drink. A lighter dubbel than I am used to. Still a solid beer and well worth the price paid.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 03:36:21 | More by spree92

impending

California

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz says the label (peculiar) into a tulip. Pours a dark bronze, no light passes through the glass. Decent dense towering head, nice lacing.

Spicy aroma of coriander, ginger and cloves nearly mask anything below. A clean, upbeat happy scent !

Taste has a surprising molasses smack, raisins plucked from a soft molasses cookie. Dark crusty bread underlies it all. Finishes sweet. Medium bodied creamy yet prickly mouthfeel.
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2011 21:50:09 | More by impending