La Trappe Quadrupel (Oak Aged) - Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.

PHSCAPT

Pennsylvania

4.74/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a plastic opaque cup (so sue me, I’m at a hotel) from a 12.7 oz @ ~ 60F. Lot number is K03J11 BATCH 8.
A – Dark amber honey, with very little, a half finger say of white head, but that could be the stemware…. Very fine bubbles of carbonation. But the overwhelming sensation was the
S – which was delightfully fruity, like a mixed strawberry and raspberry patch in the cool of the early evening when the smell of berries hangs heavily in the air. Definitely un-beery.
T – Last time I had this I don’t remember being impressed, but that was before I understood that La Trappe actually made a few different types of ales and before I understood that my favorite of any type was a quad. Definite lighter fruits to start, lighter than a Bernardus or Rochefort. This gives way to a slightly sweet medicinal booziness and finishing with a slightly smoky flavor.
M – As noted, very fine carbonation and maybe…dense…at this temperature. Almost, like a Sierra Mist or Seven Up.
O – Rebuy. Very drinkable, smooth. Boozier than most others even though only 10% ABV
And this just in: after opening and writing review, I noted that this was not just the quad, this is the Oak Aged Trappist Ale quad from La Trappe.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 03:54:16 | More by PHSCAPT

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.73/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

375ml bottle served in a La Trapped chalice glass.

By the way, Batch Number 4 and my review number 400 :).

A: Pours a dark amber clear color forming a small yellow color head. Small retention and some nice lacings left. Beautiful beer

S: Smell is delicious. Whiskey and wood. Caramel. Dark sugar. Caramel malts. Alcohol

T: Follows the nose. Absolutely delicious smell of oak and whiskey followed by candy sugar, caramel malts and bready yeast. In overall a sweet beer with a mild bitter end. Alcohol is evident but not annoying

M: Smooth creamy molasses heavy body. Low carbonation. Delicious bitter aftertaste

O: Excellent beautiful beer! I was not expecting that much...

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 19:10:56 | More by eduardolinhalis

PatrickSwayze

California

4.7/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

BATCH #3
A: A foggy brownish amber with a head that barely hangs on.

S: Smells of deep rich figs with a great subtle layers of oak and cherry.

T: Deep caramel, cherry, bananas. The taste blended of rich fruits that melds perfectly together with the oak that kicks in, in the background. Extremely complex but far from overwhelming(in a good way). For sure worth the price.

M: Oh man it sits on your tongue perfectly. Nuff said

O: I have another one of these boys sitting in my cellar. I really can't wait to crack this one again at the 3 year mark. If you see it buy it and treat your taste buds.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 04:59:24 | More by PatrickSwayze

ibbjamin

California

4.68/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Don't recall exactly what I paid for this corked and caged 12.7oz bottle, but I don't recall it being particularly cheap. I pour into an oversized snifter at 45 degrees to review. This is batch 3 as stamped on the back of the bottle.

Cork was a little tough to get out and a modest spurt of the carbonation lets me know it is not flat. The large off white dense head reconfirms that notion. A mysterious cloudy brown color which you can almost see through when held to the light. Superb lacing and a nice layer of retention sticks around the inner rim of the snifter.

First whiff is quite pleasing to me. Seemingly complex with sweet malts, dark fruits and a medicinal oakiness to it. Fig, raisin and prune all evident with an almost grape soda like sweetness to it. There is also molasses, brown sugar, Belgian spice and hints of butterscotch. I tell just through my nose that this is going to be velvety smooth with some welcomed warming from the alcohol.

This beer is damn near an oak bomb, if an oak bomb exists. The woody character takes on a smoky character as the beer warms. Dark fruits, lightly roasted malts. There is that warming alcohol.

As predicted, velvety smooth, a silkiness only the best Belgians retain. Perfect carbonation to hold up this medium-full body. World class mouthfeel.

This is a very impressive Belgian Dark. I can put it right up with my top 3 favorites in the style. If you run across it, get it!

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 04:38:26 | More by ibbjamin

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

4.68/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle poured into a goblet. ABV 10%.

A - Poured a slightly opaque orange-gold colour with greenish tints near the edges. Big bubbly head reduced to surface bubbles. Some lacing.

S - Caramel, candy, herbs, spices, port, hint of booze. Smells really inviting.

T - Sweet, candy, caramel, dark fruit, hint of spice, oak, a bit of smokiness, a bit of booze. Complex yet well balanced flavour. For 10% ABV the booze is quite restrained.

M - Medium carbonation, medium-heavy body, some stickiness, a bit of burn, smooth and well balanced, crisp finish.

O - Wow this is good! Easy to drink for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 04:02:35 | More by decimator

Liquid_Bread

Pennsylvania

4.66/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Batch #6 poured into a chalice at Monk's Cafe.

A: cloudy mud brown with a finger of foam. Looked like there were a ton of floaties. This guy was happy to emerge from the bottle after a few years.

S: Fruit, grass, orange, almond, hops, coffee, chocolate, oak, moss, peat. Most complex beer I've ever smelled.

T: I must reiterate what I said about the smell in regards to taste: it was mind blowing how complex and smooth this beer manages to be. Quite a paradox. I felt like I was eating an enchanted forest. This beer really is a meal to itself. It's almost too sweet for its own good. Maybe I should have been forced to enjoy it slower?

M: Like I said, very smooth. It was hard not to gulp it. If you want a strong alcohol taste to your beer, you wouldn't find that here, it hides well. It had a good lively feel to it but didn't force the carbonation feeling on you.

O: Fully developed palettes accustomed to fine wines and good food pairings will find even more to like here than I did. It's very flavorful and avoids the syrupiness of which some quads are accused (only Westy beats it in this regard). If you prefer bitterness or even just slight bitterness, I'd avoid it.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 19:03:43 | More by Liquid_Bread

PapaEugene

Netherlands

4.65/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally for sale at the Vlaamse Reus in Wageningen. The oaked version of the La Trappe Quadrupel. I heard many good things about this brew from rvdoorn. Normally this brew is just available at the Dutch Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven. This year is a celebration year and that's why all ABT associated pubs are having or this brew or a vintage Quadrupel 2004.

A: Copper/brown color and a light brown head.

S: Roasted malts, caramel, dark and red fruits.

T: Wow this beer surely aged on oak. Roasted malts, toffee, dark&red fruits and a bit woody. Some warming alcohol and a slight bitterness. I would not be surprised if they used Brandy barrels for lagering.

M: Medium carbonation and a light/medium body. Nice dry finish.

D: Just great! I like the Quad, but this version brings something extra and in this way has a unique character. Now bottle it PLEASE!!!

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2009 18:03:38 | More by PapaEugene

STEG

New York

4.65/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 2. A ginormous thanks to jeffo for this excellent beer. Poured into a chimay chalice room temperature.

Pour lighter than expected in color, mediocre retention of the off white light sandy head.

Smell has some fig, brown sugar, light spice, light phenols

Taste is another story, it got loads of complex flavors throughout moderate alcohol heat is complimentary to most of the flavors and there's a semi notable woodiness in this beer. it's got a considerable toasty character and has a definite belgian yeast presence as well as a considerable amount of vinous notes.

Mouthfeel is thin, slick, a bit too carbonated and hot, but I'm nit picking considering the style.

Overall an excellent beer and one I may seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 00:19:50 | More by STEG

acperez88

New York

4.65/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

got my hands on a bottle while @ the Ginger Man in Midtown, NYC. Dark pour with forward aromas. Head retains itself well after pour. the Oak is not overpowering, a good complement to the dark sugars in the beer. The alcohol doesn't bite to hard at the tongue as in other higher alcohol beers do. overall a great drink that i would recommend to someone into oak-aged brews.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 02:26:11 | More by acperez88

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 7

Thinnish white head, caramel body.

Nose is boozy with wood/peat (like Scotch), some cheese (like cheese with cranberries.

Taste is fantastic, spice, lots of fruit (plum, candied apple), significant chili pepper spicyness, and an ashen smoky, peaty finish. Drinks like a meal, dessert first, then main course.

Smooth, rich mouthfeel, carbonation is rather bright.

Fantastic taste, truly an exemplary quad.

Batch 6 is good as well, white wine is kind of an interesting choice, but the sweetness gets balanced by the smokiness in 7 and the dryness/vinuous tart character from the white wine in 6. Decent lacing, too. The dryness and sweetness kinda clash and its a bit rough feeling (like sandpaper tongue) but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 01:45:32 | More by zaphodchak

smakawhat

Maryland

4.63/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from the bottle into a challice/goblet. Batch #6, real long composite cork and no pop upon opening whatsoever.

A real dark garnet murky brown, body. Cloudy, there are some flakes in the body. Head forms nice and creamy looking with an off white, kind of yellow color. Manages to keep a nice puck throughout drinking.

What a nose on this beer. Aged in white wine barrels, real creamy smelling oaky vanilla dominates. White chocolate, cream, no heat whatsoever, like a bourbon aged barrel beer, I am shocked that this came from a wine barrel. Little bit of toffee

Taste follows with an unbelievable creamy texture. Whipped up merringue like cream, vanilla rich, small toffee, and a soft taffy candy like taste on the finish. Hints of sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate, but nothing too sugary granular or crystalized sugar. Marshmallow in feel and subdued taste also!

This is a VERY unique tasting quad, never had anything like it, this is from wine barrels? Wow shocking. Fabulous beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 00:42:59 | More by smakawhat

rvdoorn

Netherlands

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

An oak aged Trappist beer, that by itself already sounds unique! Had this beer two times, once on tap, and once bottled. These two beers were surprisingly different, I will review the best one here (the one on tap).

Looks: hazy dark copper-amber color, with a nice but short head.

Smell: quite sweet in general, caramel, vanilla, bourbon, roasted malts, dark fruits and some hints of alcohol and red fruits (cherries).

Taste: Full of sweet caramel and dark fruits. Oak is clearly present as well. In the end some warming alcohol and some hints of bitterness. Aftertaste is a bit too short. But in general, this beer is a bit too sweet and flat in taste for my pellet.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation and medium bodied. Very soft and smooth.

Overall: A very nice la Trappe beer, better than the regular la Trappe quad. As mentioned before, the sweetness in the taste was a bit too much, making this beer a bit simple. Compared to the bottled version, the tap version is very smooth and easy to drink. The bottled version is still a bit too sharp and needs at least another year before it can be fully appreciated.An interesting experiment for sure, can wait to try it again in a few years, then this beer should be magnificent!

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 09:12:37 | More by rvdoorn

JLeege

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 6. Poured into a goblet.

Appearance- Pours a deep coppery brown color with about a finger of creamy white head. Fades to a nice collar with a thin filmy layer atop the beer.

Smell- Dark fruits, caramelized malts, a little maple syrup, a hint of chocolate. Slight wood and vanilla when you really get into it. The fruits are the main star here.

Taste- Brown sugar, caramelized malts, and a bit of maple syrup up front. Then turning strongly towards the fruits. Cherry, plum, dried raison, a little banana bread as well; a touch vinous too. This leads to some nice bourbon notes. Oak, a touch of smoke, vanilla, and caramel. The finish has lingering dark fruits in a vanilla and caramel bath. The barrel aging compliments the base beer nicely, without overpowering it. Great complex flavor and it comes together excellently.

Mouthfeel- Creamy and smooth. The first few sips I thought it was a bit highly carbonated, but after drinking more, it is pretty perfect. A nice alcohol warming, but nowhere near a harsh burn.

Overall- This is a fresh batch and is drinking extremely well right now. I will probably try to grab a few more bottles to throw in the cellar and bust out on special occasions, like the next Chicago sports championship (minus the Cubs obviously), or something like that. Even at $20 I would not pass this up if you have the chance to try it. A no doubt top 20 beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 04:09:11 | More by JLeege

basica

Singapore

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Pours a translucent orange-brown color into my La Trappe chalice yielding just a thin layer of beige foam clinging neatly to the sides of the glass (4)

S - Vinous nose with pleasant notes of yeast, oak, leather and dark fruity notes of grapes and plums (4.5)

T - Light caramel sweetness upfront quickly decked with intense vinous flavors of oak and leather in the middle gradually lifting to reveal some yeasts and dark fruity suggestions of plums, raisins lasting well into a tannic and slightly tangy finish with an after taste of malts and grapes (4.5)

M - Medium bodied thickness with the right amount of carbonation and a creamy smooth texture finsishing dry and with a pleasant warming (4.5)

D - Most interesting vinous nose and flavors with an almost flawless feel except perhaps for being a tad dry; sweetness and phenols highly evident in the regular La Trappe Quadrupel have clearly mellowed down pleasantly, giving way to an elegant wine-like beer, masterfully crafted to be so easy and pleasant drinking (5)

This is a Batch 1 bottle corked 07/10, serial KO3F10, procured from Tanakaya Beer Store in Meijiro, Tokyo at 2070 yen; a treasure unearthed and a clear purchase decision. This is taken shortly after my 2009 La Trappe Quadrupel and quick comparisons reveal a mellowed sweetness and phenolic nature as mentioned and the introduction of vinous, oak flavors. The fruity nature was also less succulent and felt more "matured" generally. Very interesting and will definitely revisit this batch and the other 3 batches in the 2010 vintage.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 17:09:25 | More by basica

nickhiller

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch #1
A: thick and syrupy brownish-red, no head but great lacing and rings left behind.

S: oak at first, then chocolate syrup, butterscotch, Christmas pudding (raisins and spices), currants, overripe bananas, brown sugar.

T: fresh malt, sweet apples/pears, waves of oak, port wine and vanilla aftertaste.

M: you would never know that it is 10% ABV, it's incredibly smooth and mild.

O: so smooth, not too sweet or too alcohol-y. The nose was amazing, easily the best part, apart from the taste. A pretty perfect beer all around, there's not much that I would change about this.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 00:46:30 | More by nickhiller

LambicKing

Virginia

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 4 bottle, purchased at Dranken Geers, poured into my St Bernardus chalice.

A: Slow pour yielded minimal head that reduced to edging...good lacing. Not much carb, but LOTS of sediment. Body is a murky, medium earthy pecan brown, with a tinge of warm red hues. Head/edging is off-white.

S: Smells delicious. Heavy on the dark fruits - raisins, prunes, as well as toffee, caramel, and ?cream. Some sweet malt notes in the background. ZERO booze smell...first quad I've had without smelling at least some heat. Still a bit cold from the fridge, so I will wait until it warms a bit before I taste.

T: Creamy...wow. Almost taste filet mignon amongst dark fruits, burgundy, caramel and toffee. This is awesome, albeit probably somewhat sweet for the style. Still zero heat.

M: Creamy (again), thick, chewy. Slightly dry finish. Perfect carb.

O: Not as complex as Westy 12 or Rochefort 10, but this really hit the spot today. I don't feel I need to pair this beer with food to balance the complexity/heat like I do with other quads. Depending on the day (and time of day), this could be my favorite Belgian quad.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 15:13:55 | More by LambicKing

Damian

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank from a 12.7 fl oz corked and caged bottle purchased at Berman's Wine & Spirits, Lexington, MA
Batch 3
Served in a goblet

The liquid poured a hazy, dark crimson-mahogany color and was topped by a one-finger, fizzy, light tan crown. The head was super effervescent and it snapped and crackled before it quickly dissipated. I was a bit letdown both by its lack of staying power, as well as by the complete absence of residual lacing.

The nose was fantastically robust and complex. A rich, bready maltiness was immediately detectible. Strong caramel notes. Sweet and fruity. Plums and raisins were quite apparent. Lots of dark Belgian candi sugar. Belgian yeast notes soon kicked in as well. Phenolic with hints of banana, cotton candy and a touch of smoke. Strong spice notes (clove and nutmeg) were also noticeable.

The flavor profile was similar to the nose but perhaps a bit less dynamic. The beer was anchored by a stiff, caramel malt backbone. Strong prune and raisin notes came through on the front end. Lots of Belgian yeastiness. While the beer started semi-sweet, it dried out as it moved along the palate. Subtle hints of oak and tannins came through on the back end. Strong spice notes and a touch of alcohol warmth appeared on the finish.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied with a crisp, sprightly effervescence. Initially, the liquid felt a bit thin, but it turned super slick and creamy once it sat on the palate.

La Trappe Quadrupel Barrique is a remarkably complex beer that was all too easy to drink. While the oakiness was subtle, it, combined with the two years of aging, lent a good deal of flavor complexity. (From what I remember, this beer had a much more interesting flavor profile than the non-oak aged version I tried a few years back.) While this is, ounce for ounce, one of the priciest Trappist ale available, it is definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 05:27:40 | More by Damian

Blindpigbiz

California

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Smell: slight balsamic vinegar hits the nose with a black licorice foreground; subtle oak is prevalent

Taste: it tastes like a Texan cook-out. With tri-tip, charred wood, and BBQ sauce paired with bourbon, vanilla beans and licorice

This beer is phenomenal! It may be a bit pricey for its size (I paid $17 for330ml), but what it lacks in frugality it makes up for in taste. If you want to go the safe route, this PAIRS very well with smoked meats, BBQ-anything, along with grilled vegetables and smoked fish; this is an incredible beer

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 21:42:34 | More by Blindpigbiz

Blakaeris

Iowa

4.55/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours very cloudy caramel brown. Head is initially dense, but quickly dissipates to a thin ring.

Aroma is bold caramel and toffee with hints of brown sugar.

Taste is surprisingly rich and leathery. Caramel and toffee from the nose still make an appearance. Very dry and oaky, with good bit of vanilla. Finishes with orange rind bitterness, brandy soaked dark fruit and alcohol heat.

Mouthfeel is medium-full. Rich and chewy.

Very interesting and flavorful. Flavor is pleasant and unified. I would be happy to pick this up again.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 01:07:44 | More by Blakaeris

htomsirveaux

Texas

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

375 mL bottle tried 19 Feb 2011. Poured in a ~300 mL Maudite snifter. Courtesy of OrgasmicChemist, thanks!

Small light brown head quickly dissipates. Cloudy orange brown color. Aromas of raisins, yeast, alcohol, brown sugar. Lots of dark dried fruit. Maybe some oaky dryness through the middle. Sweet tart throughout. Fairly drying oaky finish. Moderate alcohol. Medium body.

Could drink this all night.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 03:17:30 | More by htomsirveaux

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

375 ml, batch 3.

Pours a cloudy, deep dark ruby red/chestnut brown color with mahogany edges when held to a light and a half finger light beige head that quickly settles into a thin lasting ring. Thin rings and sporadic spots of lacing left behind.

Sweet estery aroma with hints of dark fruit, spice, candy sugar and a nice oak barrel presence. Slightly toasty with a sweet vinous character that compliments the dark fruit notes very nicely. Hints of grape, raisin, fig, currants and plum along with some other dark berries and some nice earthy oak. There's also some zesty spice notes with hints of pepper, anise and candy sugar. The nose on this beer is very complex.

Medium bodied but on the fuller end with a good balance of vinous and earthy barrel character, spice, estery Belgian yeast and sweet dark fruit. The barrel character is most prominent up front but it isn't too aggressive, allowing the flavors of the base beer to shine through. Great balance of toasted oak and sweet vinous notes. The blend of virgin, La Trappe and Port aged French oak creates a nice balance of flavor. Subtle smokiness with hints of vinous grape notes that compliment the base beer very nicely. Not boozy or hot at all, however, resulting in a very flavor, well balanced beer that is extremely quaffable. The barrel flavors are quickly balanced by the sweeter, spicy notes of the base beer. Hints of grape, currant, fig, plum and raisin as well as some faint alcohol sweetness, candy sugar and peppery spice.

Overall, I enjoyed this beer very much. I had high expectations going in and they were exceeded. If you love this brewery like do or Belgian quads in general, I highly recommend seeking out this beer. Excellent!

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 03:05:06 | More by corby112

cradke

Texas

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 3 bottled 9/10

Appearance: Cloudy. Carmel, A thin fine head. Opaque.

Smell: Very complex and very good. Molasses, carmel, fruit. The batch 3 used 55% port cask and it really shows. It is much more, dare I say, tropical tasting than the original. I get notes of pineapple and raspberries and it's fantastic. At 10%, there is no alcohol taste. Exceptionally well layered and complex. Something to behold in my opinion.

Taste: Carmel, molasses. very layered. The oak comes through and adds a nice backbone to it. Figs, earth, with a bit of alcohol. It evolves greatly while oxidizing.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, spreads nicely. There is a nice amount of carbonation that adds a nice touch.

Overall: A great beer that really benefits from the oak. I love the original and this really added a wonderful touch. The nose is fantastic and it gained a great amount of fruit and layering from the aging. I had been looking forward to this for a while and it didn't dissapoint. I really enjoyed it.

Batch 3, aged 1 year then poured from a bottle into a orval snifter.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 06:19:49 | More by cradke

mcallister

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 3

Deep mahagony colored and completely still. A slight yellow haze of the rocky thick head with fabulous retention and lacing.

Aromas are as good as the looks. Very complex and many different things going on. Raisin, date, prune, milk chocolate, tobacco, red currant, caramel, toffee, some earthy hop esters, and a nice layer of oak and vanilla.

This is a damn tasty beer. Tastes like it smells but with burnt sugar, hints of maple, walnut, black truffel and black tea. Really datey and pruney. The oak is nice, adds a soft round mouthfeel to the beer as well as some tannin from the wood. A good bit of vanilla on the finish really helps the drinkability and keeps the 10% at bay. Delicious beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 20:52:04 | More by mcallister

jera1350

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch #3:

With a sandy colored head of creamy soft suds on top, this beer has an amber body with sediment stirring about. Awesome retention of the head.

The nose is quite malty with lots of sweetness in the form of brown sugar and caramel. A light oak scent leads to some vanilla also.

Complex as hell is the flavor. Some rum raisin and fig along with caramelized sugar and vanilla. Some noticeable alcohol with some of the oak coming in at the end. Not much oak. Tastes much like regular La Trappe Quad, which is still awesome.

Very dry with a body that feels relatively light from the soft and abundant carbonation.

I really like this beer, but I must say that it is nowhere near its price tag. $17 for 12.7 oz.? I'd rather go with a full 750 of regular La Trappe Quad for $6 cheaper. This is still a great beer, but it's hard to notice the oak aging and it's cost is not really worth it. I will enjoy the hell out of the rest of it though.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 03:04:30 | More by jera1350

yankeepride

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 9, into a tulip. Pours a deep mahogany, with a pop of fizz that completely dissipates in about a minute or less. Burying your nose in the tulip gives a really nice, inviting aroma that hides the alcohol of a 10.0% beer. You get the typical date, fig sweetness of a quad. Quaffing it yields an unbelievably mellow flavor, and since this is not one of the older variations, the oak aging seems to have done a trick. I didn't get any alcohol burn until it got all the way to my stomach, likely as a result of not having eaten in a while. Otherwise, this is super silky smooth. I didn't know that this was made with Malbec wine casks until I went to look up some details due to catching a tannic taste from my red wine drinking days. My suspicions were confirmed online. It has a pretty light body, and was not as thick as I thought (or wanted) it to be. However, the overall flavor was excellent, and I'm glad I popped the cork on this before the weather got too warm.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 22:34:24 | More by yankeepride