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

ypsifly

Michigan

3.81/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Batch 11 poured into a St. Feuillien chalice.

Dark hazy mahogany with a 1/4 inch or so of tan that falls to a wisp of lace over the top.

Dark fruits, hints of oak and vanilla with a slight vinous note. Bready yeast notes in the back with an earthy suggestion of chalk. All of the aromas of a quad with a little help from the malbec casks. Enticing.

Again the fruit notes are upfront while paired with the oak as found in the nose. The wood stays throughout but is not overpowering. Although there is the malbec, it comes off much dryer with some heat in the back. Lingering oak and wine linger with some sustained heat. The heat is actually integrated and adds some depth, but there could be just a little more complexity.

The mouth is a tad thin but not unpleasant. I would like some more fullness as the base is a quad.

Overall I like this beer and I feel that it is worth the price given the experience given by the addition of oak and wine. The most impressive aspect is the nose but I felt the mouth was just a little more flat than what I was hoping for.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 04:31:55 | More by ypsifly

ChrisPro

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2010 Batch 3 Tasted blind as part of top 10 quad tasting with callmemickey and sideshowe.

A - Pours dark orange with light cream head.

S - Very estery with a little citrus. Some booze on the nose along with vanilla and coconut that makes me think this is bourbon aged.

T - A little sweetness with slight tartness and a ton of vanilla oak.

M - Sharp carbonation with high alcohols. Medium body with a hot finish.

O - A pretty interesting take on some oak aging. A solid beer, but just not in the same league as the others in the list. Finished #9 of 10.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 14:38:39 | More by ChrisPro

comfortablynumb1

California

3.83/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes...

Batch 3

A - Pours a light mahogany with a one finger off white that dissipates at a hasty pace. Lace is minimal...

S - Plums, caramel, sweet malts, and various other dark fruits. Don't pick up any oak...

T - Plums, apricot, figs, with a good amount of sweet malts. Finishes with some caramel sweetness, a little oak, and some alcohol. Oak is very subdued. Tasty...

M - Nice creamy feel. On the higher end of medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation...

O - Solid brew, but a little expensive for what it is imo. Would definitely be interested in trying this one again if it were offered to me, but I don't see myself purchasing another bottle...

Cheers...

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 21:44:18 | More by comfortablynumb1

rlee1390

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A-cloudy ruby one finger head that leaves some lacing

S-oak dark fruits raisins, plums

T- sweet slight oak darker fruits no bitterness

M-medium bodied, not much carbonation

O- For an oak aged beer the oak could have been more present. The cost was too expansive to warrant a purchase. Maybe if a fresh batch came out it would be worth another try.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 22:44:13 | More by rlee1390

ToasterChef

Maine

3.85/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a bottle of batch 8, which is a mixture of 70% whiskey barrel aged quad, and 30% new French oak aged quad. I've poured my bottle into a Chimay chalice.

The beer is colored dark brown, with some plum-like highlights. It is translucent, which a modest head of pinkish foam. There was not pop when I removed the cork, which makes me think the beer will have low carbonation, but there appears to be a decent amount of bubbles within my glass. The foamy head did not last long, which is unfortunate.

There is a nice balance of whiskey and oak aromas coming off of this beer. Also present are some fruity malt aromas, mostly purple fruit, like plum.

The beer has really impressive, fruity flavor. The alcohol is well hidden and feel as though I'm drinking a glass of naturally sweetened juice. Flavors of red grape and strawberry are dominate. A sweeter flavor comes forward as I swallow; it's more like candi sugar than anything else. Aspects of the whiskey and oak are also present, but neither is too strong. But can definitely be tasted though.

The beer doesn't have as full of a body as I expected, but the carbonation is what I thought it would be (a little low). It isn't very sticky for a 10% beer, and any quad that doesn't coat your lips in a tacky film is impressive. Internally, there is a coat left behind that has some fruity flavors. Carbonation can be felt, and this is the slightest burn from the whiskey barrels, but overall it feels very good for a barrel aged quad.

I like this beer a lot. I find it to be very tasty. It's too bad it is so expensive, as it is one of the more enjoyable quads I've had lately. I'd love to buy a bunch of bottles, but I don't think it's in the budget. That's ok though. This will remain a treat to look forward to. This beer is recommended to any fan of Trappist beers or other Belgian ales.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 01:08:28 | More by ToasterChef

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-cloudy dark amber with a very thin cream colored head.

S-dark smokey caramel. Odd scent for a quad. I expect it's the oak aged aspect.

T-it comes in with a smokey, black peppercorn cracked taste of creamy caramel. Yeah, it's odd. After that comes a momentary flash of bitterness. The after-taste reminds me of a Belgian BBQ.

M-low creamy carbonation with a dry finish

O-this is an odd quad. Never had the regular version but I am anticipating it, I think it'll be a lot better. The smoke flavor to this beer isn't well received on my part. It's definitely a lot more drinkable though than a lot of other quads. It's very smooth. Wish it were a smaller bottle though.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 02:05:23 | More by AdamBear

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.88/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Review from 3/2011 notes. Poured into a Black Raven pint glass. Pours a dark orange amber with tons of floating particles. Half finger head and lacing. Pungent fruit and phenolic aroma. Sweet fruit, sweet malt, raisins, grapes, banana, vanilla, phenolic flavors. Tastes great, but I don't really detect a strong oak flavor and it may be a bit on the cloying sweet side. An enjoyable quad, but at the price, I would buy one of the others out there.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 03:31:28 | More by LiquidAmber

emmasdad

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch #3
Thanks to schmittymack for bringing this one over a week ago. Poured from the cool little 375 into an Odell glass. Pours a lightly hazy amber color with a good white head. Aromas of light oak, dark fruits (plums, figs, dates) and caramel. Medium bodied, with dried fruits, raisins and toffee.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 03:09:03 | More by emmasdad

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Batch 3 bottle tasted blind at a top 10 quad blind tasting

A: Orangish red brown. Thin eggshell-white.

S: Raisins, orange peel, banana, clove, a little wood, and a brandy like booze

T: Oaky notes really come out here in the flavor. Vanilla, a little boozy sweetness, light fruits like banana and orange. And some dark fruits including fig and raisins.

M: Moderate body with a light astringent finish and just a dash of heat.

O: A unique take on a quad with the barrel treatment. Takes it away from quad territory and almost into the old ale realm.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2011 01:36:20 | More by callmemickey

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a deep black color ale with a nice large brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma consists of light dry fruits and residual sugar with some wood notes. Taste is also dominated by some wood notes with light residual sugar notes and dry raisins. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Interesting experiment but I believe the regular version is probably better then this barrel-aged version and the white wine notes where quite hard to distinguish.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 20:45:36 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

With greater delicacy and refinement than other Koningshoeven brands, this strong Belgian dark ale has genuine "Trappist" confectionate sweetness, but with the power and complexity that's expected of the entitlement.

The pour brings about a russet brown, hazy decantment that carries an eggshell-stained head laced with loosely knit bubbles for an airy/froathy appearance. As the foam reduces to a blanket of creme across the surface, the beer reveals intricate lacing patterns on the glass wall. A classy and masculine look.

A quick swirl brings to life aromas of ripe berries, cherries, apples, dates, and figs- all weaving into a yeasty/briney/winey scent. The bold esters and soft spices allow for a peak throuh of sweet maltiness that straddles cotton candy notes. The base alcohol scent adopts the oak character for a mild woody and pungent impression.

Flavors of sweet malty richness and powdered sugar lead the way with the fruity esters of brandy-soaked berries, dates, figs, raisons, and cherries. As the esters fade, the alcohol ushers in a spicier note that ranges from corriander and white pepper early, and sharper black pepper and cumin late. The alcohol flavor evolves into a mildly caramel/woody taste that gives greater complexity to the alcohol and yeasty fruitiness and spice.

Creamy and soft early on as the sweeter, fruitier notes prevail. But as the alcohols take command and the cherry/brandy taste grow, the beer becomes warm- to prickly- to numbing- and then somewhat hot or fusal. But the soft powdery tanins from the oak somehow keep the harsher alcohols in check for a pleasantly warm and solid dry finish.

For the first time (when discussing a Koningshoeven beer) can I begin to talk about some of the finer intangibles that separate Trappist Ales from most Abbey Ales. Notice that any mention of oak-aging is slight, as this character does a great job of smoothening the beer and adding subtle complexity without over-stating it. Although the alcohol could exercise some restraint in mouthfeel, the beer has the magical sweetness in taste that translate to succulent dryness late; and while offering many complexities that are difficult to describe... it is Trappist quality through and through. Definately the pick of the litter when considering the Koningshoeven portfolio. ...reminds me of a green Rochefort 6.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 05:35:16 | More by BEERchitect

champ103

Texas

3.98/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch #3

A: Pours a dark orange/reddish amber color. A one finger bubbly beige head forms and recedes to a small ring. No lace is left behind.
S: Sweet malt, brown sugar and some banana esters. Light vanilla and wood aromas. I like it, but I wish there was a bit more barrel aroma.
T: Very sweet with some brown sugar and vanilla. Fruity esters of banana. Other fruity flavors of grape and cherries. Some more wood flavors than detected in the nose. I like it.
M/D: A medium to full body that is low on carbonation. This is pretty smooth with some tannin like like qualities. Very easy and enjoyable to drink. I will finish the bottle without a thought.

An enjoyable Quad. A bit more barrel character and this would be excellent. This is very good anyway. Something I like and would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 04:32:03 | More by champ103

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12.7 ounce/375 ml caged and corked bottle, Batch #3. I've had this bottle for a while now, so I might as well drink it! Served in a Dogfish Head Signature glass, the beer pours a murky amber/brown color with about an inch light tan head that didn't stay around for too long. There's a small amount of lacing. Aroma is malty and sweet, it smells like brown sugar, oak, caramel malt, dark fruit, Belgian yeast, and port. The taste is similar to the aroma, but there's also some banana and dark fruit flavors noticeable. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's a bit slick with moderate carbonation. Overall I think it's a good but not great beer. At $14.99 a bottle I probably wouldn't buy it again, but even then I still think it's worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 00:09:42 | More by bluejacket74

brdc

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another one graciously brought by stoutsnipas.

Small corked bottle, poured into a tulip. Unfortunately my review is from notes and I neglected to write down the batch.
Good looking brown beer with some shining highlights, and a large, long lasting foamy off-white head. Good lacing.
Aroma is quite good, with roasted malts, cloves, cinnamon, sugar, a little alcohol and some oaky/woody notes.
Near full body, the taste is quite good, but looking back on my original notes from the non oaked version, the aging did not seem to add much, and might have spoiled the balance, to some extent. This is not as good as I remembered, or reviewed.
It starts candy, lightly roasted grains, bread, cinnamon, a little warming alcohol.
My taste changed a lot, or this beer actually lost from aging.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 17:34:11 | More by brdc

mattboyer182

Indiana

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours a murky brown with almost no head to absolutely no head.

S - I don't get much of a smell. It's sweet and I can smell the alcohol but it doesn't put a lot off.

T - first of all it tastes good but it's unlike any other quad I've had. It's not complex at all it's such a light fruit flavor and a slight alcohol warming effect but the taste is so simple I feel like this is the worst review I could make.

M - light to medium bodied with heavy carbonation.

O - good but my least favorite for it's style.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 00:49:49 | More by mattboyer182

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A sipper. Batch 4 at The Ginger Man. Fruity appearance with an eighth inch of white head and lacey. Above average in every way and less fruity and sweet than the non BA version. A tad acidic. Fruity and citrus. Alcohol warming. Full bodied, with oaky taste there and it is balanced. Wonder how complex this would be in five years.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2011 14:03:39 | More by northyorksammy

DuncanIdaho

Netherlands

4.08/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled 07-2010

Appearance: Hardly any foam, color is amber and cloudy

Smell: Caramel, Honey

Taste: Hint of liqourice, peach, apricot, cream.

Moutful: Throat feeling is slightly burning like a spirit, faint hint of smoke. strong after flavor, balance is great like a good whiskey.

Drinkability: Very easily drinkable, alcohol taste is light, very fullfilling beer.

This was a very expensive beer, I paid 14 euro for a single bottle but it was a real treat.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2011 19:34:12 | More by DuncanIdaho

beerdrifter

Germany

4.09/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up at my favorite beer store in Belgium, Dranken Geers. (Batch 5 white wine barrels) Surprising murky dark brown color. An aggressive pour yielded almost no head or lacing. Big woody nose with tons of butterscotch and oak along with hints of bubblegum, vanilla, dark fruits, and just a touch of vinous notes. The oak is dominant in the taste as well, but with much more of the white wine character emerging from the barrels. Also getting hints of caramel, vanilla, booze, butterscotch, brown sugar, and just a faint touch of chocolate on the finish. The mouthfeel has very low carbonation, almost to the point where it seems flat, but not in a bad way. Slightly syrupy with a subtle warming alcohol burn on the finish. Overall, a fantastic beer, but I prefer the Isid’or Oak Aged.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 21:15:11 | More by beerdrifter

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Snagged this bottle up at Julios tonight on my way home. Poured in to a snifter, the color is a nice rose, with a ring of lace, and tiny chunks of yeast floating here and there. The smell is of peach nectar, honey, alcohol, and stone fruit. Taste is pretty damn close to the nose, with a nice lively carbonation. The oak barrel aging is apparent, but not too over the top. Same with the alcohol, definitely noticeable, but not overkill. Interesting to see a Trappist brewery use barrel aging. La Trappe Quad is one of my favorites from the monks anyway...wish I had a bottle of regular Quad to compare. Either way, damn tasty.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 01:46:54 | More by jamie2dope

Dope

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 3 bottle, just over 2 years old.

A: Pours sort of a ruddy dark brown. Big fizzy tan head. Fades slowly, leaving moderate fluffy tufts of lacing behind.

S: Fruity and dry. Got some raisin and grape mainly. A little oaky. Mild brown sugar and caramel.

T: Fruity initially with lots of dark fruit. Grape skin, raisin, cherry, banana and some plums maybe? Turns toasty, yeasty and oaky in the middle with a bit of caramel. Finishes a touch dry and earthy with some spices in there. Lots of yeast and cloves in the aftertaste.

M: Fairly heavy, carbonation is a little lower than normal making this borderline syrupy sometimes.

O: Excellent complexity and balance of flavors. Very fruity. Smooth and easy drinking, especially for a 10% quad. Barrel treatment pushes everything up a notch from the base beer, making it a slight improvement everywhere.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 04:55:26 | More by Dope

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12.7 oz bottle... Batch #9 which I believe is red wine barrels, even though I was unable to find exact specifications on the brewery website. I realize it says i tried this in tap... I did not, this is a different batch, and the only way I could get this review in, was to have a different serving style.

A: pours a murky brown... Reminds me of iced tea, after my last go around with one of these oak aged quads I learned to pour carefully and leave the sediment in the bottle... Half a finger of tanned brown head after the gentle pour. Dissapates nicley, not much lacing to speak of.

S: red wine and oak notes right up front, nicley compliments the quad base here, that brings light notes of dark fruit, light plum and raisin. Smells nicley rounded.

T: much like the nose, although it seems the wine is toned down a little bit. Nice grape notes intertwine with raisin and plum and a touch if caramel and brown sugaryness, very nicley rounded.

M: the body is on the heavy side of moderate with moderate carbonation.

O: thisnisna very tasty brew, the red wine barrells really complimen the quad base excellently, very nicley done.

Serving type: growler

11-26-2012 03:31:02 | More by PeterIngemi

Gmann

New York

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a muddy chocolate brown color with some honey highlights. The head is small and settles into a wispy ring. Plenty of yeast floaters.

The aroma is quite fruity. Red grapes mix with some tart apple and lemon flavors from the oak. Some light bready malt pick up. The oak really stands out in the aroma.

The taste is of raisins and grapes upfront. The tart green apples skin punch from the oak comes next. Some light chocolate and carob flavors bring a needed depth to the flavor. There are traces of some fusel alcohol.

The feel is light and spritzy. Sweet on the palate, finishes with some stickiness and ABV burn.

The beer feels a little raw but the oak adds another layer of flavor and works well with the style. The oak is strong in this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2011 01:37:14 | More by Gmann

cosmicevan

New York

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

picked up locally - batch 3.

a - opened the cork and cage and filled my La Trappe chalice. opened without much of a pop. beer poured a murky brown into the glass and settled rather opaque although I could see carbonation bubbling along the glass to the surface as well as small yeast hunks. not the crazy creaminess I love about the original, but there are nice thick patches of yeasty head on the surface and like the original, the head hangs out for the entire journey leaving thick coating on the glass sides.

s - as soon as I started pouring this beer the sweet smells started to fill the room. very boozy, in a vinous way. green grape on top of dark fruit. inviting and unique with a vanilla oaky coating on everything. some belgian sugar. fairly complex.

t - again, the booziness of the wood seems to take to the forefront. it is an interesting mix. there is a green grape almost white wine tingle on top of the classic quad. the barrels have certainly impacted the smell and flavor adding new levels of complexity and booze. although this is an interesting take on a classic, it came off a bit too boozy for me.

m - creamy and rich. lots of carbonation. very stong alcohol tingle in the mouth. after feel leaves my mouth coated in deep quad flavor.

o - overall, the oak adds a lot of complexity to the beer. the smells and flavors certainly have been altered from the barrel aging, but these barrels and this beer are not a match made in heaven and i really wonder if any barrel aging can improve this classic quad which is one of the few that defines the style for me. the original is not boozy at all in my opinion and the barrel aging really brings out the booze (perhaps with time this would be a gem?). definitely a solid beer and worth checking out if you are a fan of barrel aged brews and/or quads. i'd be interested to try some of the batches that use "toastier" woods.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 18:40:55 | More by cosmicevan

megahurts4

Louisiana

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

*I have multiple reviews under this review (one for each batch). Highest ratings are added to each category

La Trappe Oak Aged Quad Batch 6

Appearance: orange-brown, medium head, and good lacing. 4

Smell: alcohol, dark fruits, and a faint toffee. 4

Taste: dark fruits, oak barrel, and a slight brown sugar sweetness. 4

Mouthfeel: medium and subdued. 4

Overall:
This is a pretty good brew. For being a tad on the watery side, this is a pricey one. The flavors are pretty well balanced, but could use a little tweaking. 4

---

La Trappe Oak Aged Quad Batch 7

Appearance: brown, medium head, and some good lacing. 4.5

Smell: yeast, dates, figs, and other dark fruits. 4.5

Taste: banana, oak barrel, faint yeast, and a maltiness. 4

Mouthfeel: medium-light. 4

Overall:
This is a good batch. The oak flavor is very strong. The dark fruits are plentiful in the aroma, but very faint in the taste. 4

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 04:33:29 | More by megahurts4

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to mindspin315 for this awesome extra! Thanks Jason!

Batch 8; C&C bottle poured into Duvel tulip.

small pop when cork came out of the bottle.

Appearance: murky brown bodied beer with small white floaties. 2 fingers of white head that drops quickly to a thin cap.

Smell: big sweet caramel note. A little bit fruity and even oddly enough smoky. Hint of mild dark fruits. Not what a quad traditional should smell like, but I still think the nose works.

Taste: Alot of sweet and smokey whiskey barrel notes in this Quad. Oak is pretty strong in this beer also. Some vanilla, caramel, and peat moss. A hint of dark fruits. This beer tastes just like it smells. The beer finishes smokey with a touch of fruity sweetness.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Just a touch of sweet booze noted.

Overall: Really unique Quad. The barrel notes are really prominent in this beer; not quite to style as far as a Quad is concerned. Not as fruity as I would like to see this beer. I did like it though. I would say it going to get better with some age; those barrel notes need to mellow out a little bit.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 12:29:02 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT