La Trappe Quadrupel (Koningshoeven / Dominus) - Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Malt sweet and spice. Many flavors: Cloves,nutmeg and a nice touch of cinammon, Rum and mocha. Rich mouthfeel. Warming alcohol.
3.5 years later had on-tap in Toronto fresh and great aroma, and rich wine-like colour of course. A bit boozy rich and sweetish.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2004 03:49:48 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.63/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2000/2001 bottling. Sparking blood orange beneath a creamy cap of gorgeous orange-ecru foam. Even though I rinsed out my crystal snifter just prior to the pour, blankets of delicate lace are still sticking to the glass. Beer with a double digit ABV isn't supposed to look like this. I'm thrilled so far.

I haven't had many quads yet, but I have to say I'm impressed by the rich complexity of a good quadrupel nose. This one is overflowing with dark malt and smells almost as much like concentrated black and red raspberries as Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock. Talk about taking after one of the best. Actually, it's the other way around given when this one was brewed.

I've had this little 11.2 oz bottle for several years now, never dreaming what deliciousness lay within. I know that La Trappe is one of the seven Trappist breweries (and the only one that is outside of Belgium), but I still never expected to like this beer quite this much.

I'm still floored by how much Quadrupel tastes like raspberries and blackberries. The flavor profile also contains spiced raisins and plums swimming in dark caramel and melted chocolate bars. As it warms, I can appreciate leather and earthy hops. It's definitely on the sweet side of things, but I wouldn't change a thing. Drinking beer out of a snifter always makes me want to sip anyway. Although alcohol is noted, it's as soft and as unthreatening as a baby chick.

The mouthfeel can only be described as liquid velvet... or maybe a highly polished gemstone... or possibly summer weight silk. The only thing that keeps it from the 'mouthfeel hall of fame' is that it favors medium over full.

La Trappe Quadrupel has surprised the hell out of me. I've always considered tripels and BSDAs to be my favorite Belgian styles, but if I continue to drink outstanding quadrupels, they'll be right up there as well. I'm ecstatic to see how well this beer ages because I plan to stock up the next time I see it on the shelves. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2007 15:41:20 | More by BuckeyeNation

womencantsail

California

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The pour is a dark amber/brown color with a fluffy khaki colored head.

S: Sweet dark fruits (such as raisins, plums, and figs) and dark candi sugar make up the bulk of the aroma. Plenty of sweet caramel maltiness, too.

T: The flavor is of the same dark fruits that were present on the nose. A hint of spice and plenty of yeast that almost seems sour at points. Sweet malts and candi sugar, too.

M: The body is medium with a lively carbonation, but not quite as fine as some other Belgian beers.

D: A nice beer, pretty easy to drink for such a high ABV beer, and not really any discernible alcohol on the flavor or nose, either.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2010 06:47:14 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Ebenezer's the night after Night of the Funk - November 6, 2010. Served in a chalice.

The pour brings a nice moderate brown color with a bit of a crimson-garnet hue. Really nice off-white head with a good dosing of lace on the edges of the glass. The nose brings forward some nice dark fruit characteristics with dates and figs plus some light caramel. A bit of malt and plum plus some light brown sugar notes and a bit of alcohol.

The flavor is nice with a bit of malt sweetness and light booze. The yeast does a nice job creating some esters alongside caramel plus plums, dates, and other dark fruits. A really nice body with a bit of booze. Helps bring out the complexities of the brew. Drinks quite well and was the last Trappist brewery that I needed to try to finish off the list.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 14:18:50 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 ounce bottle - $5.29 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Clear, dark brown body with a reasonably well-sized, off-white head. Random bits of lacing on the way down.

Smell: Sweetish, earthly spiced, and ripe fruity notes all come together to harmoniously provide notes of candy, caramel-covered fruits, dark loaf bread, and even alcohol. Yes, even alcohol, friends.

Taste: Sweetish, dark maltiness with very, very light tastes of chocolate and even cinnamon-flavored Breakfast Blend coffee. Touch of dark breadiness. Hearty spread of gooey dark caramel. Dash of earthy spices, mainly clove. Another pinch of table sugar. Fruity tastes of green raisins, ripe figs, and green apples marinated in spiced rum. Touch of bitterness. Sweetish, earthy, warming finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Worth a try. The world's greatest quadrupel? Heck no! A decent, okay-inducing quad? Sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2009 05:47:23 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy chestnut color with a nice, rocky head that sheets lacing all over the chalice

Smell: Artificial cherry juice and candi sugar with too much fusel alcohol

Taste: Starts out with a biscuity flavor with a hint of candi sugar and caramel; joined by the artificial cherry juice flavor by mid-palate as well as a touch of balsa wood; after the swallow, a nice, earthy hop flavor, with even more wood, settles things down

Mouthfeel: Medium body with plenty of carbonation; a touch thinner than I would have expected

Drinkability: My least favorite of the Trappists by a big margin; just don't like that cherry flavor

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2007 00:06:41 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Lucky Baldwin's Trappiste Pub & Cafe in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a murky honey brown with a foamy beige head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, dark fruit, brown sugar, and spice. Taste is much the same with a mild spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 19:18:29 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a dark black color ale with a huge foamy head with great retention. Aroma of cookie dough, which seems to be part of all beer from this brewery and is very enjoyable. Taste is also comprised of sweet malt reminiscent of cookie dough with some dry figs. Body could be more full and alcohol was well hidden. Still missing a little something to match the other great beer from this style thought.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2005 19:52:06 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Perhaps the least enjoyable of all Trappist beers. Fruits, candy, and Belgian yeast are hardly appreciated over the fusal alcohols. Dehydrated fruits, candy sugar, and bready yeast are present, but the alcoholic strength and a undecernable nausiating flavor persists from beginning to end. Though I want to like it, the drinkability is low. Finsihes dry, sweet, and fruity / spicy. Not a particualarly good offering for the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2006 17:32:21 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a medium brown with some orange tints with a real nice big creamy head,aroma has a light sour cherry tinge and 10x sugar notes with some real light smokey/yeasty smell.I get a light green apple flavor wich I didnt expect,definently on the malty side but not overly sweet because there is some light hop bitterness.The best Holland beer I have had and only the third of the style I have had,very impresive.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2003 19:30:35 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle, corked and caged. Its slightly hazy deep amber body appears almost reddish in the glass; yet reveals golden highlights when held to the light. It's short but creamy off-white head slowly erodes to an average collar and some whispy surface foam. The nose is somewhat musty and lightly vinous with a candyish note and some mild caramel that rounds things out. It's gently zesty on the tongue with a very fine and natural carbonation atop it's medium/full body. The flavor is sweetish with a lightly vinous and juicy fruit character that exhibits red grape, plum, soft berries, and apple. It's well-balanced with firm bitterness; and it's alcohol is held in check at all times. It finishes dry with some noteable bitterness; a delicate wash of alcohol; and some mild, peppery alcohol spiciness. An interesting and satiating brew.
Koningshoeven Quadrupel:
This beer is very similar to the standard La Trappe Quadruple, although it displays some rougher fermentation characteristics and appears to be a bit sweeter. It pours a slightly hazy, deep amber body that appears almost reddish in the glass, yet reveals golden highlights when held to the light. It's short but creamy off-white head slowly erodes to an average collar and some whispy surface foam but leaves some thin lace as it goes. The nose is delicately fruity with a bright, candyish note and some mild phenolics that waver in the background. It's gently zesty on the tongue with a very fine and natural carbonation atop it's medium/full body. The flavor delivers a sweetish and juicy fruit character (soft berries, apple, plum) and some light caramel. It's well-balanced with a moderate bitterness; and it's alcohol is held in check at all times. It finishes dry, with some light phenols (higher alcohols with a green-apple and plastic-like character). Still, it's fermentation flaws are minimal, and would probably go unnoticed by most. A nice beer that's worth a shot.
 

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2003 03:11:19 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lightly hazed, dark amber hued, nearing crimson, with a small head that leaves in a hurry.

Nose is a complex bouquet, sweetness and deliciousness of many kinds. a trifle tart and a hit of spice, then fruitspeach, apricot, melon, grapefruit, marinated in cognac. Heady, spicy, potent.

Taste: same fruit flavors arrive on the tongue, but are met in kind and in full bu the ever-large booze. Richness of malt matched with rawness of alcohol. Very vibrant, though, turning mellow as it sits in the mouth.
Feels a bit thinner in body than I'd personally prefer, but that's forgotten when you take another sip and the flavor washes over the palate and the warmth creeps up, and it's one of those beers that gets not just your average Jane and Joe saying it, but sometimes me, and myabe you, too: THIS is a beer?
Moderate carbonation, alcoholic, long, fruity finish. An outsized brew, the 10% not hiding in the least.
I remember this being darker and fuller when it was bottled as La Trappe. Is it me, or my memory. Whatever, it's still good. Damn good!

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2007 04:10:03 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours an amber color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It has a tremendous fruity yeast aroma as well as a warm malty scent. It's dry with a slight earthy feel. The warmth seeps through the yeast esters. The taste is good. It has a strong pale and light crystal malt flavor. It goes down easy and finishes dry and warm with a mild yeast fruitiness. The earthiness resinates on the tongue. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking beer. It's got a solid malt character as well as finite yeast component.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2007 00:02:52 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Beer and glassware assist from Lunch, thanks! Beer is brown and clear with a tan head of small bubbles, some lacing, moderate retention, moderate to high carbonation.

Aroma is estery, almost like bubbles gum.

This is my first beer from this brewery and while I've enjoyed a lot of the Trappist ales and tend to seek them out when I get the chance, this is just an OK beer to me. It tastes good but the esters in the beer are dominant. They power through any interesting malt this beer might have had to begin with and end up as a relatively boring one note beer. I drank my bottle of it and I will try other things from this brewery but so far I'm not overly impressed.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 17:52:45 | More by drabmuh

zeff80

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes on 4/19

A - Poured out a light burgandy color with a small, tan, bubbly/soapy head. It left soapy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of dried fruit (pear & apple), spices and malt.

T - It the apple and pear flavors came through on first sip. Also, some spice notes kicked in. It had a smooth roasted malt flavor that added a biscuity feel.

M - It was soft and smooth with a warm alcohol presence. A medium to heavy-bodied beer.

D - This is a very good Quad. It's worth the price.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2008 12:26:39 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured medium dark brown into a snifter glass. It initially poured with a rather large head that slowly died down into lacing or a thin layer of bubbles. A moderate level of carbonation is evident by the bubbles rising to the surface.
S: There's a pleasant aroma of sweet malts with notes of dark fruits and candi sugar.
T: The taste is complex and has flavors similar to the smell but there is a lot of underlying malty sweetness with some other hints of caramel and toffee flavors.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate. It's relatively smooth, but the level of carbonation feels a bit light, making the beer feel a bit on the side of being syrupy.
D: Although the alcohol doesn't stand out prominently in the taste and is rather well masked, this definitely feels like a strong beer and needs to be sipped slowly.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2010 02:45:12 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.68/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Sampled March 2007
Pours a brilliantly clear, ruby hued color with a two-finger thick, amber tinged tan colored head. Quite fruity smelling; notes of mace intermingles with notes of raisins, prunes figs and concentrated cider. Actually after a bit more digging there is definitely a cherry aroma here as well. There is a touch of oxidation aromatics as well; hints of Madeira, sherry and perhaps a damp woodiness that is not quite like wet cardboard yet. Really the concentrated fruit character is what is most noticeable, but there is a nice backdrop of sweet spices (cardamom, clove and perhaps some mace).

The beer is fairly sweet, yet not sticky. The sweetness accentuates notes of concentrated fruit, which are a mix of prunes, figs and some light date notes. There is a nice backdrop of spiciness here that is a mix of clove, a touch of cardamom, a dusting of ginger and even an orange-citrus note towards the end. The finish remains sweet and rich with a rum-like flavor and a touch of alcohol bite. I would not describe the alcohol as hot though, it just serves to add a touch of warming character. There is a touch of oxidation here; its biggest effect seems to be an added chewy, malty, almost meaty caramel / Maillard browning character.

An interesting brew, that seems somehow to be lacking a little something. I could wish for a bit more chewy malt character and perhaps some more body, but on the other hand it is nice that this is not a super heavy brew. Still it is a good brew, and certainly contributes a nice warm glow after a couple glasses from this 750ml bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2007 21:37:17 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.78/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a murky light brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains Belgian yeast, caramelized malts, brown sugar, some spice and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts with sweet flavors of caramel, brown sugar and a little bit of fruit and spice. Then a hearty malt character and some Belgian yeast breadiness comes in. The hops presence is mild and brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Flavorful, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, decent representation of style, it’s a decent beer but there are better options in the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 04:57:33 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've loved this Quadrupel since the first time I had it a few years back. I felt that I needed to revisit this to give it a fair review. Poured this into a snifter glass. It's got a light muddy brown color with a thick tan head on top that stick around for the majority of the time. The smell of this beer sucks me in every time. The aromas that come off of this brew are sweet fruits and some nice malts with just a bit of yeast in there. It nearly smells like candy to me. The taste is lovely, all those fruits and the yeast come alive once it hits your tongue. It tastes pretty much exactly how it smells. The mouthfeel has a really nice creaminess to it and mixed with some lively bubbles this beer just impresses me with each sip. A must try.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 03:38:35 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very effervescent caramel with 1+ finger of khaki head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Juicy fruit, rubber bands, bubblegum & breadfruit

T: Huge fruittyness, dates, figs & ghost booze up front. White grapes, juicy fruit & some phenols, plus pears, leather & some mushrooms as this warms. Finishes oaky, with some banana peels, fruitty & with a little booze kiss. almost pulled a 4.5

MF: Slick, effervescent & a bit thin for the style, more malt depth needed to really vault this into great status for quads.

Drinks pretty easy for the style & ABV, a good take on the style

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2008 04:47:39 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Big "Q" label, cellared for over a year. Bottle opens with a pop, pours a jeweled red-orange into a Westmalle goblet at 60º. Racing trails of carbonation can be seen in the center. After a sip the foam breaks and slowly ebbs away at one side. Slight musty cork aroma, with sweet brown sugar and caramel notes. Dried fruit flavors of raisin, dates, and prune blend with a sweet nutty almond finish and a vague touch of spice. Slight stickiness on the lips, and there is some minor earthy tobacco in the aftertaste. The feel is full and velvety, true trappist style. Not sure if it was aged too long or long enough, but the alcohol thankfully wasn't noticeable. Slighty more enjoyable fresh on tap (4.2).

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2009 01:36:14 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

3.55/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Beachwood BBQ, in Seal Beach, CA,

A: Pours a medium amber, a lighter quad than I'm used to, with a medium white head, good retention, limited lacing.

S: Sugary, with lemon zest, dark fruit and alcohol.

T: The taste has a nice fruitiness to it mixed with the solvent character of the alcohol. Tasty, but it wasn't as complex as I would have like for a quad. Belgian candy sugar dominates the taste, with ripe dates, raisins and molasses and a bit of lemon/citrus quality, no hop flavour except a slight earthy bitterness at the end.

M: Nice and crisp carbonation makes it surprisingly easy to drink, with some medicinal alcohol and phenols.

D: I enjoyed this quad, but in the end, there was nothing really special about it to make me come back to it, especially with Rochefort 10 out there.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2008 01:56:23 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear amber color with a thin head that quickly disappears as expected from some high alocohol beers. The aroma is of malt and honey, with some minor candy tones. The flavor is huge as malt, honey, and caramel are most dominant and make this like a liquid candy bar. Hops are almost a complete no-show here as they can't overpower the thick malt.

Heavier bodied and little carbonation. Very smooth on the mouthfeel. The thick body of the malt seems to stick to the tongue after swallowing. The alcohol is definitely noticeable. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2004 23:43:25 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into glass chalice:

Pours mahogony with scarlet hues. A one-finger creamy head soon becomes a lasting thin cover. Some lacing sticks to glass.

The smell of brown sugar and raisins/prunes soon gives way to tart (lemony/orangey?) fruits. Hints of peppery alcohol.

The taste is of candy-like sweetness balanced by fruity tartness. A mixture of sugar-coated fruits, ranging from prunes to orange and lemon, hitting a few tropical fruits along the way. Finishes with coriander and a warming, peppery alcohol. Alcohol is noticeable, but controlled and adds a nice, spicy touch.

The feel is creamy/coating and syrupy. A light medium body has a nice texture. Spiciness and fruitiness linger on the tongue. Sweetness, with a touch of tartness, hold on into the aftertaste.

This is a luxurious, rich, sipping treat from Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2007 16:17:17 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Guest tap at Volo.

This beer appears a clear, dark reddish amber hue, with no apparent head, just the remnants as a ring of soapy white lace. It smells of apple, pear, wheaty malt, and alcohol. The taste is caramel, apple, melon, sweet wheat grain, and more warming booze. The carbonation is low, the body smooth and alcohol slick, and it finishes clean, the warming fruitiness standing tall.

A keep-you-warm-in-the-winter kind of beverage, this, with memories of summer fields and fruit, and the booze to suppress them...

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2010 18:48:56 | More by biboergosum