Tilburg's Dutch Brown Ale - Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.

brdc

Wisconsin

4.7/5  rDev +25%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Small capped bottle served on my Corsendonk tulip.

Clear dark brew, that when held against the light reveals multiple amber highlights underneath a light tan head with average retention but nice, if not exuberant lacing.
Nice nose, mostly caramel, bubblegum and fruits, particularly grapes and berries, but also some chocolate.
Medium bodied, with very little carbonation opening to an unexpectedly smooth body. The ensuing taste has, to my surprise, some of those bublegum hints, caramel and fruits, sweet but not overtly sweet.
A very interesting brew, quite easy to go down if not a session beer given its sweetness. For a fan of belgians like myself, a great alternative for warmer days when a strong dark is too heavy.
Significantly better than my first impression.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2007 01:38:13 | More by brdc

Chewman

4.48/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Upon pouring; the colour was rich and amber with little to no head, I was concerned that maybe the quality had been compromised. However, to my surprise the flavour was complex and bold, quite smokey and very smooth going down. A top quality ale, I highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 23:29:47 | More by Chewman

RobAlsbury1

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had the pleasure of enjoying this beer last night with some buddies at Bj's Brewhouse in the great Houston Texas. Knowing an Ashton cigar was coming later in the evening I opted for the Tilburg Dutch with hopes that a little sweetness might match well with the spice of a classic Ashton. Indeed I was right! This is a good beer.

Serving Type - Bottle pleasantly poured into a Tulip Glass
Appearance - Dark Plum, light head, slight lacing
smell- fruity, hints of grape juice (not grapefruit) and slight roasted malts
taste - light, crisp, "winey".
Mouth feel - good, slightly stingy with regard to balanced flavor of malts, hops and the fruitiness.
drinkablity - Very, Very strong, flows nicely off the palette

One of the more unique beers I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 16:29:10 | More by RobAlsbury1

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Orange and black label with a freaky bird-like character wearing a pot on it’s head and eating a leg?? Is this brewed by Monty Python?

In a tall glass, this poured beautifully. Mahogany-orange color, clear with a strong carbonation and topped with a huge, dense head of tan foam. Small lacing left on the glass. This looks great. The aroma has caramel and buttery malts, with faint touches of fermented figs, plums and toasted almonds.

The taste is very pleasant. Nutty with a medium body of malt that finishes with a dark mellow smoothness. Pleasant bittersweet and nutty aftertaste. I’m very impressed by this beer. Not too heavy or too light. I could drink this all the time.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2004 13:54:50 | More by pezoids

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Dark brown and burnt orange body with a thick layer of white pillowy head that doesn't fade easily.

S- All malt. Thick dark roasted malts give hints of caramel. To be honest, it smells like wort.

T- Tastes exactly as it smells, malty. The backbone of the malt base is the star.

M- Much thinner than it looks. I expected it to be heavy, but this one doesn't weigh you down.

O- Awesome beer, and my first Belgian Dark Ale. It's easy going, and a great example of what a great malt profile tastes like. I'd suggest this to those that are getting into beer as a novice, and want to know what these beer snobs mean when they say "malty".

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 04:28:05 | More by scot_chale

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I don't know if a Brown Ale gets much better. Though listed as a Belgian Dark Ale, I prefer to describe it as a Brown Ale. Pours a ...well...brown creamy texture with lightly tanned, dense head and ruby highlights. Smells a creamy, chocolaty, nutty, caramel flavor with a bready, toasty, yeasty contributing scent. Flavors of nuts and chocolate stand out with caramel, barley, yeast, and dark fruits lying close behind. A creamy, yet moderate body lends to a easy going brew. Sometimes tasting and feeling rich due to the lack of hopping. Nevertheless many flawless flavors to offset the sweetness and graininess. Certainly one to try.

Re-sampled on June 15, 2009: Thanks Arvjunk!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2006 03:50:24 | More by BEERchitect

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Brown, cola-like and crystal clear, with a 1/2" white head that fades to leave a creamy layer on the beer. Smells mostly of roasted malt, but slightly sour and grassy. Taste is creamy with roasted malt, fruity flavors, and a moderate hop bite. High carbonation, and very unique and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2005 22:37:06 | More by TastyTaste

losdizzel

Oklahoma

4.4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Tilburgs Dutch Brown Ale

Is very nice beer here

These the perfect time of year for browns

the smell is awsome , the taste very good good malty finish also.
only comes in a 11.5 oz bottle abv is 5 percent good balance
about to have another .
small lacy head at the end .
A small tidbit let sit for alittle before hand .

enjoy

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2010 20:42:13 | More by losdizzel

UncleFlip

Alabama

4.38/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

To me, this is just a beautiful looking beer. It pours clean and dark, a lush ruby colour with orange tones on the edges. The head is patchy (tight and loose) and thick, just over one finger, but receding at medium pace, leaving a thick wet lace behind.

Smell is light, spicy, and hoppy. The aromas tend to call up brown sugar, orange peel, and just a hint of molasses. There's also a yeasty overtone.

The flavour waits a beat to hit, and contains a strong element of light molasses and spice. These flavours stay very consistent, and coast down slowly, as a hint of woodiness builds. Sometimes in the back of your mouth, you can catch a bit of black cherry, as well.

The body is slightly thicker than what you might expect from looking at this brew. It's not chewy, but it definitely lets you know it's there. The carbonation starts small, then swells and loosens as it rolls back on your tongue.

I'm a bit biased in the review, I think. I loved this beer before reviewing it, and I still love it. Definitely not one of the world's best beers, but it's sort of a 'comfort food' beer for me. It just feels right- I don't demand too much of it, and it doesn't demand too much of me. It's very drinkable, and could keep me company just about any evening.

Be well
-UF

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2005 03:54:21 | More by UncleFlip

Portertime

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I like this one and if anybody didn't know the cover art is from the painting "Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymous Bosch. It is an excerpt from the "hell" panel called the Birdheaded Monster of the three paneled painting with heaven on the left, the Garden of Eden in the middle and hell on the right. It is pretty crazy looking and was painted in 1519! On that note, on to the beer. HAd this one chille in a pint glass. Pours a dark goldish color. Smells of plesant caramel and slightly nutty. Tastes quite the same reminds me a bit of amaretto. I could enjoy this a lot.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2008 22:04:02 | More by Portertime

Offa

California

4.38/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a pleasant and easily drinkable beer yet still very flavourful.

Dark red-brown, it has a medium, creamy tan head steadily srhinking to a lasting creamy top.

The aroma is very pleasant, mostly grapes (hint of concord grape juice), a little caramelly bread, and molasses.

The taste is also quite nice, easy to drink yet with plenty of flavour. It's mostyl fruity-caramelly, grapy with toasted grain, stronger in the finish. It has hitns of winey/fermented plum and raisin, a very mild dryish peppery quality, and a smooth feel.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2009 23:20:36 | More by Offa

etn3000

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My friend suggested the Tilburg's Dutch Brown Ale to me while we were at a bar. I was a little hesitant because I don't typically go for darker beers. But I thought I'd give it a try. Wow! I was blown away. This is easily one of the best beers I've ever had. It was dark, but it didn't taste like a dark beer. The color is just a few shades lighter than molasses. It was very smooth and had subtle notes for chocolate. The beer just takes over your taste buds with heavenly delight. I would highly recommend this beer to anyone.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2011 16:14:55 | More by etn3000

RedSpecial1

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a nice brown and amber color with very little head. The smell is of caramel and malt, very sweet. The flavor is the same as the nose, lots of malty caramel flavor, but not so sweet as to be disgusting. The mouthfeel is light, but leaves a nice coating on your tongue. This is a very drinkable beer, it almost reminds me of some German styles.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 22:46:38 | More by RedSpecial1

Tropicalslip

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The appearance of this beer is a rich brown amber.The taste has a rich roasty creaminess I think stems from the small bubbles and sweetness of the beer. The flavor eminates through your nose while setting on your tongue and clings to your you pallet.

Its a flavorful yet light beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2011 23:37:53 | More by Tropicalslip

HardTarget

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: Wonderful. A clean, mostly malty, hint of yeast, touch of hop, and a microdot of smoke.
Appearance: Red- amber with a rich creamy tan head that laced all the way down the glass.
Flavor: Balance to the malt with a sweet taste but a good hop finish. A slight nuttiness to it as well and a woody note. The aroma is a good forecast to the taste.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a bit of oil that leaves a coat.
Overall Impression: Good beer! Quite drinkable, tasty, well made. Just about everything I could want in a beer. To nit pick, maybe a bit mild in taste, but otherwise, I loved this beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2004 03:36:21 | More by HardTarget

Halcyondays

California

4.35/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz. bottle,

A: Pours brown with a small white head, very spotty lace, solid retention.

S: Brown sugar syrup, Hawaiian bread, cola, grape jam, very sweet smelling.

T: Excellent dark fruit flavours. Some pastry bread sweetness, caramel candy, with some raisin, Concord grape, heavy plum is the predominant note. Very light hopping, just tastes really good for my palate. Definitely a Belgo-Dutch style brew.

M: Light-bodied, creamy, some crisp carbonation upfront, but very soft on the tongue.

D: Delicious well made beer by the Trappists. I liked this quite a bit. It's hard to find a Belgian style beer with this low alcohol and having this great a flavour which means a definite repurchase is in order.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2010 03:15:38 | More by Halcyondays

WesWes

New York

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a nice ruby red/brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a rich toasted malt scent with a fruity yeast aroma. The roasted malts add a nice "brown" aroma to it. The taste is great. It has a very smooth, malty flavor that boasts of pale and crystal malts along with roasted barley. It is roasted and creamy with a slightly dry, fruity finish. The mouthfeel is good. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a very enjoyable Belgian dark. It's smooth and flavorful which makes it highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2005 21:30:37 | More by WesWes

neenerzig

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I got a bottle of this in a 12 pack "Beers of the World" from World Market as a Christmas present from my cousins. Poured into my mug. This beer pours a medium, clear amber ruby brown color with a nice head that sticks around for quite a while. One of the foamiest heads I have seen in awhile with nice lacing. Aromas of sweet and perhaps roasted nuts along with some dark fruit, such as raisin, as well. Taste is of sweet, slightly roasted malt, with a hint of caramel and roasted nut, raisin and a bit of bread. Not overly sweet on the palate. Rounded out witha slight touch of hop bitterness for good measure. Crisp, smooth and creamy texture and mouthfeel, light to medium body, with moderate carbonation. Just about everything about this beer reminds me of root beer, which is great for me since root beer is one of my favorite soft drinks. The only difference is that this beer isn't as sweet or carbonated as root beer. Also sort of reminds me of coffee as well, but root beer more so than anything else. This beer has its own unique taste, unlike any other brown ale or any other beer period for that matter that I have ever had. A must try for those who like brown ales and also root beer lovers everywhere!

Eric

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2006 04:27:13 | More by neenerzig

Greggy

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a 1 finger head over a beautiful Dark brown/amber color. Body is crystal clear. After a minute or two, the head recedes to a thin cap. Slight lacing is present.

S- Very nice biscuity and bready notes along with dark fruits like sweetened raisins, brown sugar, a slightly floral aspect and a touch of toffee, caramel, and slight chocolate.

T- Starts with sweet caramel/maplenut notes then moves into a nice long delicate finish of maplenut, sweetbreads and slight raisin, finally drying about a minute into the finish.

M- At the beginning of the brew, the carbonation seems a bit much but settles out as it sits. There is a nice full mouthfeel for this gem despite its relatively low ABV of 5%.

D- Bottom line, this is an excellent beer, and a steal at $7.99/six at my store. I will definitely have this again. Given the ABV, you could have a few of these without getting to goofy.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2008 03:55:49 | More by Greggy

kvazzo

Colombia

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - dark with a white head, medium head retention, nice lacing
S - very malty with fruity and caramel esters
T - sweet and caramely with a nice yeast flavour at the end
M - Medium body with medium carbonation
D - great brown ale, easy to drink and with lots of flavour

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 18:10:47 | More by kvazzo

GilGarp

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap into a branded Tilburg half-pint glass.

The Dutch brown ale is a chestnut brown color with redish highlights. It has good clarity and about an inch of cream colored head that settles slowly.

Aroma is sweet and malty with some nice dark fruit and Belgian-esque yeast.

Flavor is really nice. More of that dark fruit comes through in the form of cherries and raisins. There's caramel and milk chocolate too. It's mostly sweet but there is some balance there too. Bitterness definately takes a backseat.

Mouthfeel is medium-light in body and moderate carbonation.

This is definately an easy-drinking Belgian. The low alcohol and easy mouthfeel makes it a session beer of great character and flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2010 14:04:59 | More by GilGarp

bagpiper2005

Idaho

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pour: Deep, clear reddish brown color. Huge off-white head that dissipated fairly quickly and left minimal lacing on the glass.

Smell: Sweet fruity aroma. Hints of apple, caramel, and a bit of chocolate and coffee.

Taste: Deliciously fruity front end with hints of apple and grape, almost like champagne. Caramel, toffee, and slightly sugary middle with a hint of yeast. Finishes up with a delicate chocolate and coffee note. Very interesting to say the least!

Mouthfeel: Medium to full with very high carbonation. Again, almost champagne-like.

Drinkability: Quaffable and sessionable. Refreshing and satisfying.

Final Notes: This beer could almost act as a wine/champagne replacement. It's got a unique, yet very appetizing character all its own. I really like it.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 03:07:28 | More by bagpiper2005

bighoppymonster

Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice dark chocolately brown with a touch of red. Tan head quickly dissipates with very little carbonation going on. Nothing but sweetness in smell. A remarkable similarity to grap juice in aroma. Very sweet tastes of raisins, grapes, and plums with some matliness to finish it off with some dryness. Overall a very smooth, rich, and extremely pleasent beer. Definately one of the sweetest beers I've ever tried, but it isn't overly so. Enjoyed this one very much.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2005 23:53:27 | More by bighoppymonster

hooligan

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed with breakfast on Father's day 2008.

Poured into a pint session glass, to a deep brown beer with soft bubbles that dissipate quickly and slide down the glass as you drink.

Smell is strong strawlike yeast upfront with fruit esters, rum raisin and dried pineapple. Very faint noble hops.

Flavor is big, soft, and chewy, a savory dry malt character upfront that's eventually pushed out of the way by a sublime dried fruit character. The fruit and straw esters from the yeast and noble hops both support throughout and can be picked up easily throughout this complex and well balanced beer.

This is a gentle, pleasant, yet big and complex brown ale. I had never heard of it until I saw it at the store, and I'm glad I did.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2008 14:07:55 | More by hooligan

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330 mL bottle at 48 degrees into a Chimay chalice.

A: It pours a mostly clear reddish-brown color with a half-finger of tan head that falls quickly but leaves decent trails of lace.

S: Caramel, light red apples, sweet figs, and rye.

T: Lots of caramel and bready maltiness, sweet dark fruits, nutmeg, cinammon, and mild banana.

M: It has a medium-light body with average carbonation and goes down smoothly.

O: This is amazingly complex for being 5%. I'll certainly revisit this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2011 19:15:32 | More by bucklemyshoe