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

brureview

Massachusetts

4.46/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have been cellaring this for 7 months- should have waited even longer:)

The beer pours a beautiful ice tea color with a 3 finger head into a tulip. Good amount of lacing.

Lemon, apricot, cloves, lemon chiffon cake- a pleasant but not overwhelming aroma.

The mouth feel is not malty as in other quads, and is well carbonated for the style.

The taste is outstandingly complex-cloves, lemon, apricot, and alcohol.

As the beer warms up, the complexity becomes more amazing- more apricot and the alcohol mellows. This is a true sipper.

In general, a wonderful complex beer. Doesn't fit the tasting notes of a quad. This comes with cellaring it for a while. Next bottle will be a year or more.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 03:44:34 | More by brureview

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.59/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

12oz bottle from gift set, with gift set glass...really pretty! Data on bottle says: 13: 06
K28H12

Golden copper color with some small floaties ~ paticulates. Nice head hangs around for awhile with pleasant swirls.

Sweet amber malt aroma. I've been drinking this beer for many years...usually in big bottles and I've generally found it too alcoholic fresh with unpleasant phenols. Aging helps those big bottles to a degree.

This little bottle, however, I'm assuming bottled within the last 3 months, is right on...minimal heat or unpleasantness...a beautiful balance of malts and strength...caramel, fig, sweet plum, milk chocolate, and a touch of alcohol. Very easy to drink.

To double check my analysis, I just took it to a discriminating Colleen and she said, yum, is this a grand cru? She gave the big thumbs up also. Big yum!!

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 07:37:36 | More by DenverLogan

1Nrwyscotch

Wisconsin

4.16/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into a chalice.

A. A deep redish amber with a couple of fingers worth of head which sticks around for awhile.

S. It starts with some light tropical fruit and some sweet caramel malt and finsishing with some spice.

T. Its not quite as complex as it smells. It has a toasted malt flavor and then finsihes with some sweet fruit(cherries).

M. It has some body and a medium mouthfeel.

O. This is a very flavorful beer which has a decent balance and screams Belgium Quad even though its from the Netherlands.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 23:32:59 | More by 1Nrwyscotch

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Poured into a La Trappe chalice. Pours a hazy, almost coppery medium amber with a fine two finger off white head with great retention and lacing. Complex aroma of caramel malt,plums, dark dried fruit, light cherry and banana. A hint of sour and mineral. Flavor is sweet, well integrated fruit, dominated by plums, light hints of stone fruit, dried dark fruit and cherry, sweet malt. Finishes somewhat drier, leaving pleasant residual light hops, fruit and a touch of wood. Medium, creamy bodied. A very nice Trappist quadrupel that is a joy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 05:10:57 | More by LiquidAmber

BlurryVisi0n

New York

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

Served an over-sized wine glass (La Trappe signature glass).

Appearance: A semi-hazy amber with heavy bubbles on the body. Head maybe 1/3" off white slightly thick in frame and still hangs around after a few sips.

Smell: Has a banana feel right to the nose, with hint of wheat and honey. Just right.

Taste: A complex brew that has a little bit of everything, sweetness of banana with a pale bitterness that makes you think you chewed the skin. Yeast elements combined of a light sour bread doesn't make you think twice of the price.

Mouth: Dry finish compliments this brew. Nice sticky feel to it with medium carbonation.

Overall: What a total beast of a beer, I mean what is there not to ask for. If you share a passion like I do for quality grab a glass and pour. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 04:38:58 | More by BlurryVisi0n

IPA35

Netherlands

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

A 75cl bottle from the only Dutch trappist brewery.

Looks like a dark amber, much lighter than most other quads.
Hazy and a slightly off white head wih mediocre retention.

Smells different too, more medicinal and less fruity than expected. Big on the caramel, banana and spice.

Tastes nice. Nice and sweet, a fruitiness with more light fruits: pear, grape and cherry.
As it warms up the dark fruits (cherry note and such) become more appearant but this is not a beer with a big dark fruit component like other dark trappist like Rochefort 10, Westvleteren 12 of even Westmalle Dubbel. This is a complex beer but for the style not that much. A nice beer and this is much more drinkable than other quads. Dangerous at 10% but a good thing since I need to down 75cl of this stuff. The alcohol is very well hidden.

The mouthfeel is nice, medium to full bodied and it is well carbonated.

Overall a recommended beer, not a stereotypical quad but a very pleasant beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 17:06:29 | More by IPA35

gcamparone

Rhode Island

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into my La Trappe goblet. Purchased in Wakefield, RI.

A- Pours a deep amber, ever so slightly hazy body with a 1" white head that doesnt stick around very long and leaves some uniform white lacing.

S- Bubblegum, ripe bananas, sweet caramel. Quite potent.

T- Starts off with a freshly baked bread note which develops into tropical fruit, banana, and bubblegum notes. Ends with a slightly hoppy, spicy bite. No booze.

M- Medium-high carbonation, medium body.

Quite an enjoyable quad. Hits all the high points of a belgian and an excellent interpretation of the style. On the fruitier, more bubbegummy side of the belgian spectrum. Recommendable.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 04:42:32 | More by gcamparone

kylehay2004

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: very large head took up most of the glass which is off white. eventually a clear copper body was seen.

S: dried fruits mostly pear, toasted malts, some dark fruit but not much, musty yeast and wet socks.

T: fairly fruity but not too sweet, and as with the aroma is mostly green apple and pear for me with Belgian yeast, toasted and caramel malts, brown sugar. The alcohol is very well hidden.

M: medium body, smooth with moderate to high carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: A very easy to drink and flavorful quad. Didnt really stand out much from others I have had but still very good and a must try.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 00:47:30 | More by kylehay2004

BigBarley

Texas

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

A - Pours a copper, or dark orange color, with lots of active yeast, and a thick, off-white head that recedes to a creamy topping. Looks delicious! Not see through, deep grainy orange when held up to light.

S - Heavy banana, mild clove, lots of wild yeast aroma and alcohol. I guess I'm not good at smelling Belgian ale, because most of them tend to have the same characters. But it achieved its goal! Very strong smelling, makes you wanna take a gulp.

T - Well look at that... heavy banana, mild clove, wild yeast! Tastes extremely Belgian, with a good touch of alcohol warmth and a lot of yeast notes all over. It doesn't stand out as anything unique or out of this world, it just has a great, balanced Belgian taste.

M - Thick and chewy, but still drinkable. Carbonation is very active, even after a hard pour. All around great mouthfeel for the style.

O - Not exactly unique or groundbreaking, but fulfills it's role as a smooth, flavorful Quad at a generally reasonable price. I'll probably drink it again, but I don't think I'll die if it comes off the market. If you're into Trappist beers though, it's a definite must-try.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 17:07:06 | More by BigBarley

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I picked this up at the newest Giant Market & Craft beer cafe in Harrisburg on Linglestown Rd. Corked & caged bottle into a cervoise chilled.

The color is deep amber with light cream cap w/ slight chill haze and goo lace/head retention. The smell is very appealing to me with abundance of malt sweetness in the aroma with mild floral hop note and yeast phenolic with mild bready element and slightly honey like accent. The feel is very good with high carbonation level and strong full body with malt heft and drying alcohol on the palate with crisp finish that has a lingering spice texture.

The Quad tastes like some toasted malt is present with the yeast adding a clove accent with mild honeylike tinge and floral hop element adding to the complexity with subtle alcohol in the taste and the strength is not all that apparent with malt providing the majority of the flavor with a nice effervescent yeast that leads to a dry mineral tinged finish. A great Belgian and originator of the Quad style I have been enjoying this for over a decade I am happy to drink this on occasion and it is very drinkable for the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 15:27:22 | More by Slatetank

gtermi

Texas

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

A: The beer pours a muddy brownish orange body with a thin white creamy head that quickly fades.

S: I am getting a lot of your typical abbey ale and quad smells and a little bit of sweet grain.

T: I am getting a little bit of alcohol, some sweetness and of course the signature quad type flavors and a strong amount of yeast.

M: The beer is very smooth and goes down with ease.

O: This is a pretty decent quad, but not as good as some of the others I have had, but I would for sure drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 05:31:54 | More by gtermi

King_KongDCO93

Minnesota

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

A: amber, reddish/brow... yet you can still see through it. has some effervescent carbonation and light head that quickly dissipates.

S: Lots and lots of fruits (Cherries), figs, dates, and toasted malts

T: notes of citrus (oranges and tangerines) and cherries. Has that pungent Belgian taste that I love.

M: wet and bitter/tangy upfront then a bit boozy but gradually finishes sweet.

V: Never doubt a Trappist ale... Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 19:44:13 | More by King_KongDCO93

Maakun

Afghanistan

3.73/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Light mahogany color. Small head that dissapears almost completely, leaves just a small island.

Smell: very strong ripe fruits, a lot of banana, some plums. Really sweet, some bubblegum and candy.

Taste: Also sweet, but not as upfront as the nose. Big cherries at first, then a nice balance between malts and banana fruitiness. Some fruit candy tastes, with a light touch of hops and some sour notes. After it's been in the glass a while some woody notes and more bready malts. Aftertaste is dry, a little sour fruits.

Mouth: medium, feels a little light for this style. Aftertase is very dry which feels a bit weird, not very pleasant. Carbonation is a bit low, but that's as expected.

Overall: the taste is by far the best thing about this beer, but it's a bit too sweet for me. Has a nice balance though. Of all the trappists I've had La Trappe is the one I enjoy the least. This is not their worst beer though, and much better than some other heavy Belgian beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 20:01:09 | More by Maakun

Offa

California

4.3/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is excellent.

Reddish-brownish copper, it has a very big off-white head slowly shrinking to foamy ring,traces of lace.

Aroma is metal, plums, light rose wine, fruity with dried cherries, hint of cocoa.

Taste is richly fruity wine, toasted-caramelised grain finish. It is zesty yet silky, firm but not too heavy and nicely engaging.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 00:38:25 | More by Offa

funkengruven

Ontario (Canada)

4.8/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Tis the season for these wonderful trappist ales (that only seem to be stocked this time of year around here), this poured into a chalice a deep ruby with a puff of off white head that stays with the brew. Smell is of sweet dried fruit and alcohol. Flavor is very bold and seems to consist of sweet dried figs, some prunes, some spice, very nice. Mouthfeel is full and smooth. No alcohol burn at all, very pleasant.

This is a fantastic beer. If you can get it, get it.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 20:36:07 | More by funkengruven

bskrtz

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11.2 ounce bottle served cold in glass beer snifter @ Fat Pour, Chicago

A) Hazy bright reddish brown. Puffy 1 inch head settles down quickly but sticks around as lacy white top. Looks wonderful.

S) Cooked dark fruits, raisons, apple pie and sour dough. Its all there and its all delicious.

T) Port like complexity. Sweet caramel, honey, mild hops, baked bread.

M) Near perfection - ample carbonation, thick and sticky, alcohol is apparent yet not strong.

O) I really enjoyed this most classic Trappist quad and am sure to buy more.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 04:27:25 | More by bskrtz

jucifer1818

Florida

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

Trappist brew number 1:
Served in my new challance. I am excited ^_^

Appearance: Red beautiful amberness, with a nice thick head. Quite nice
5/5

smell: It smells strongly of bubblegum and nice sweetness. Its nice, but could use more.
4.5/5

Taste: theirs more of that bubblegum tate coming through this one. heavy biting carbonation, with a thick syrupy texture. I like It I suppose, but I was expecting more
4/5

Mouthfeel: Syrupy and full
4/5

Overall I give this a 4/5. I'm not too crazy about it, but it tastes pretty nice and hides its alcohol nicely. It just tastes too strongly for bubble gum for my tastes.

chears.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 02:23:44 | More by jucifer1818

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

n2185

North Carolina

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

A: Pours a murkey brown with two fingers of khaki head that fades into a nice cap with good lacing.

S: Sweet candy sugar and dark fruits like plums and dates dominate here with Belgian spices and a sweet bready finish.

T: Similar to the aroma, candy sugar and sweet dark fruits hit at first with light spice notes. The finish tastes of sweet breads with very little alcohol presence.

M: Body is on the heavier side of medium with moderate, creamy carbonation, this beer is silky smooth. While I tend to prefer my Belgian styles a bit lighter and crisper, this beer is very smooth.

O: A good quad overall, and probably overlooked since it's so common. I don't know if it can stand up to Westy 12 or the Blauw, but it's still enjoyable and affordable.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 03:31:05 | More by n2185

Twincrasher

3.93/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Amber color with thinner head for type. No lacing. Must be glass.

S: Spicy Belgian yeast. Esters abound. Very typical trappist aroma.

T: Good but not my favorite. Less malty that I prefer of this type. Big alcohol flavor - as should be expected for 10% ABV.

M: Thinner feel and finish than accustomed for Trappist.

O: Very nice beer. Will have again, though not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 16:32:40 | More by Twincrasher

barleywinefiend

Washington

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

A: Poured an opaque red, with hints of copper leaving a foamy, white head which stayed with the beer.

S: The smell of sweetness overpowers the maltiness, borwn sugar, dark fruits and caramel.

T: The initial burst of flavor is highlighted by the spicy phenols and flavors that is expected in a Belgian Trappist ale. It turns very sweet and doesn't finish as dry as I normally like with a quad, but still incredibly delicious. Dark fruits, candy sweetness,caramel.

M: Medium body, with carbonation. Sweeter, thicker mouthfeel than some other more popular quads.

O: It's an enjoyable belgian ale, with a lot of the spicy flavors expected in the style. It's on the sweet side, but still a solid representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 16:53:00 | More by barleywinefiend

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

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

Appearance: It has a nice deep orange/amber color to it. It has a nice thick light beige head that dies down moderately and leaves little lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of spicy Belgian Yeast, dark fruit, some breadiness, cloves and some banana.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a some yeast notes, spices, dark fruit, some caramel, a nice bready feel, and light banana and cloves.

Mouthfeel: It has a med/high carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas. Solid Quad.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 20:32:30 | More by SebD

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

2.1/5  rDev -49.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Cellared for 1 year

Appearance: sizzling carbonation on pour, but gone before you know it leaving nothing at all for a head - not a good sign; hazy, red/brown like leather

Aroma: minimal scent, but getting some booze and sharp fruit

Taste & Mouthfeel: not completely flat, but definitely short on carbonation; very sweet caramel and toffee, sugary; a hint of spice, probably from yeast because hop balance is nowhere to be seen

Overall: really nothing much to it, lacking character and proper mouthfeel; boring and too much like candy; maybe cellaring had a negative affect, this is the second La Trappe review I've had that ranked their beer way lower than others did, so something's up

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 01:14:32 | More by BGDrock

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

maxk

Maryland

4.6/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

33cL bottle, brought back from Belgium, aged for a few months in my house, dated 11-2014. Poured into a snifter, very lightly chilled.

Pours a clear red with a brown tinge. Nice two finger tan head which settles into some good looking lacing across the top of the beer and along the sides.

Dark fruit and alcohol. Dates, fresh plums, even a little bit of raspberry. Definitely the smell I look for in a Quad.

Tastes of candi sugar, figs, smooth caramel malts, and of course that great Trappist yeast.

One of the smoothest drinking Quads I've ever had. Perfectly carbonated with an incredibly creamy mouthfeel. Has a tiny hint of alcohol burn to it, but it's pleasant and to be expected at 10%.

This is one of the best Quads I've ever had. It doesn't get nearly as much fanfare as Westy, Rochefort, etc. but it's every bit as good.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 19:34:06 | More by maxk