Troubadour Obscura - Brouwerij De Musketiers

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Served on nitro-tap at Ashley's, Westland, MI. Belgian beer fest 2013

Appearance- Served in a troubadour Belgian-style flute glass. Cloudy dark amber with a big creamy nitro head. Looks very picturesque. No doubt the nitro helps out the look.

Smell- Faint aromas overall. I don't know if the narrow glass stunts my ability to get a good nose, but it doesn't smell too strong at all. Smells good though. Pungent sour apple, grapes, oak, a bit of coffee, black licorice, and finishes with some earthy yeast. Complex.

Taste- Sour bite followed by strong prunes and caramel. Faint citrus notes rounded out with big, robust coffee and roasty grain. Nutty but starchy chestnut notes as well. Very straightforward. A good complex Belgian.

Mouthfeel- Nitro-aided smoothness with some faint bubbles that coat the mouth and allow the flavors to linger. Nothing unique, but good.

Overall- Belgians aren't my favorite, but I would drink this again. Very drinkable for a "dark" style Belgian. Lets hope it pairs well with some mussels!

Cheers.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-08-2013 02:05:07 | More by SaisonRichBiere

pkalix

California

4.24/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

a belgian stout? this has to be my first.... but my bottle looks different and the abv says 9%....
pours an intersting radiating dark brown; almost can see through the edges, but not quite. hence the 'radiating' description.
smells very dark fruit-y, almost like a thick, nasty, bitter something, but let's see....
so this is a belgian stout. confusing first taste. stout-like, yet dark fruit-like also. almost as if them belgians cant seem to lose the dark fruit in any of their brews. but hey! to each their own, right?
captivating. the high abv makes it worth journeying further. a slight chalky grittiness reminding me it's a stout style. a hard dark fruit malt-iness that reminds me of other, long ago tried brews.... worth a try. like i said, my first belgian stout. never considered it before.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 01:29:51 | More by pkalix

safaricook

Netherlands

3.63/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bought at the Bierparadijs in Meer, Belgium. Poured into a Croy Tulip.

A great fine bubbled beige head that dissipates slowly and leaves impressive lacing. A pitch black body that gives a ruby shine when brought to a strong light source.

Strong smell of coffee and toffee.

Taste is quite sweet and only slightly bitter towards the end. Dominant is coffee flavor and interesting dryness

For a stout the carbonation is rather strong and gives it a refreshing touch.

I am not so much into stout but this is quite pleasant and has enough carbonation to make really drinkable. I would drink it to substitute after dinner espresso.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 19:04:48 | More by safaricook

Fux

France

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours dark brown with mahogany glints. The head (creamy, off-white) is thin but lingering.

S: Roasted malts, chocolate malts, grainy, yeasty. Fruity esters (red fruits, dark fruits). Spicy.

T: Molasses, sweet malts. Yeasty, spicy, with notes of cloves, banana, currants.

M: Medium body with soft carbonation.

O: Tasty, flavor profile with character. Pleasant overall.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 22:04:40 | More by Fux

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark brown with a foamy head that does not stay. Some slight lace.

Some dark fruit, coffee, and sweetness in the malt for aromas.

Coffee flavors, molasses sweetness, with a slight sour edge, maybe date or dried fig for fruit. A bit cloying, even with 8.5% alcohol, which does come thru, but doesn't really help. Moderate bitterness.

A bit thinner than I'd like. Carbonation is ok.

Overall, not a favorite. I had a bomber and after about half, I was really bored with this brew. Structure is fine, just not what you'd want to drink a lot of. For my personal taste, I won't have this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 03:29:33 | More by OtherShoe2

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Poured chilled in tall ale glass.

A: very dark burgundy; good solid, creamy head with retention
S: chocolate, caramel malt; resembles the aroma of a Euro strong dark lager
T: cherry, fig, raisin are the foundation; little in the way of stout proper, and much more like a Euro dark lager
M: slight imbalance between the frothy head and the semiprickly carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 04:03:33 | More by Arithmeticus

wgfxkmf

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours ruby to amber with a light bubbly head which quickly dissipated leaving nice lacing

S - Nice malty nose. Reminds me more of a nice malty lager than a stout

T - very Malt forward with hints of earthy fruits, raisin, fig, currant, even tobacco

M - Thin. Light bodied, not a typical stout, either American or European. The name "mild stout" is fitting. Those looking for traditional stout characteristics may be disappointed

O - I enjoyed this beer. Don't bring presuppositions to the party, and let your nose, eyes and tongue be the judge. Great color, malty flavor, and complex overtones abound. Will definitely have again, and will add to my pubs bottle list

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 21:09:26 | More by wgfxkmf

Tobe

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled this beer from the bottle. Upon pouring I instantly noticed it's ruby brown color with a generous rich brown foam head. The aroma displayed characteristics of rich chocolate and some dried fruit undertones. It had a sweet chocolate flavor with a mild presence on the tongue. It finished with some enjoyable sourness. This is a very tasty treat that I recommend trying.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 14:19:15 | More by Tobe

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From the 11.2 fl. oz. bottle with the cap stamped 0204101216. Sampled on April 20, 2012. The pour is a deep amber brown with reddish hues and a tremendous, puffy, mocha head. The aroma brings out dark malts, yeast, and a touch of alcohol bitterness. The body is medium to full. The taste also has a pungent bitterness to it with roasted dark malts and the alcohol not as well integrated as I would have hoped. It was good in its own way and I think is fairly true to the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 23:25:13 | More by puboflyons

warnerry

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by 11/15/12

A - Pours a deep red/brown with more than three fingers tan head. Head has great retention and coats the glass with lacing.

S - Lots of dark dried fruits, some vanilla and cocoa. Doesn't scream stout but is pretty appealing.

T - Similar to the nose with a more pronounced chocolate/cocoa presence and some roasted malts that bring a bit of earth into the taste. Finish is dey and somewhat bitter.

M - Medium mouthfeel that starts semi-creamy and finishes dey and bitter.

O - Pretty solid all around, if not outstanding in any particular way. I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 22:02:05 | More by warnerry

elNopalero

Texas

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tried from the bottle. Didn't get date information. Didn’t realize it was a stout until I posted my review.
This poured a malty brown color with some foam. There was a light, malt-estery aroma with a more definite malt sweetness on the palate. Lots of dark fruits, mostly figs with some raisins on the flavor. All-around decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 05:00:30 | More by elNopalero

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured a reddish black with a four finger tan head that subsided to one finger very slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, dark fruit, bread, dark chocolate, and wood. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark fruit, roasted malt, and dark chocolate. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a fairly good brew. I have to be honest that all aspects of this brew were really quite nice. However, the aroma was a bit of a letdown for me. It just lacked the complexity and pleasant notes that can be had in the flavor. Really glad I got to enjoy this one with my dinner the other night and suggest you try it as well if you have not already.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2012 03:47:28 | More by thagr81us

RappAttack

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: poors a deep amber almost red, white thin head
S: smell is very subtle, yeasty some dark fruit and a slight cocoa smell
T: tast's bit more complex than it smell's. dark fruit comes through as the dominant taste
M: med body(maybe less), good carbonation
O: this is my first Belgian stout and while good is not quite what i prefer from my stouts ( i enjoy Russian imperials). something different but that's about it

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 01:18:19 | More by RappAttack

Holland

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: dark brown and opaque in the middle, but there is a great deal of lighter brown on the sides in the light. Tan head is thick even when poured cold, and it has good retention.

S: smells quite like a foreign stout, with a slight acidic/vinegar smell along with the roasted malts and slight sweetness. There is a nice yeast presence.

T: complex in yeast and malt, with no hops that I can detect. Same as smell for the most part with a concentration on acidity.

M: a little bit too carbonated for my liking, but it has a medium body that helps balance that.

O: very nice beer. I've had this a couple of times, and this time I really enjoyed it. Excellent beer overall, and my favorite foreign stout so far.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 01:15:07 | More by Holland

TheWhiskerReview

Tennessee

3.65/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tasting sample pours a dark reddish-brown with a frothy head and wet, thin lace.

Aroma is like a caramel soaked kit-kat with a vague spice box quality- nothing to piercing though- and yeasty coffee. All of it comes together like a dark, elegant cigar.

The palate is full-bodied and pure silk- smooth delivery of rich chocolate, dark fruits, vanilla and caramel- with a very mild bitterness. The yeasty, bottle-conditioning fills in those gaps that the roastiness of other stouts leave behind, contributing to the beers softness. Alcohol is well hidden and the roast picks up a little on the finish, but never outshines the silk.

Overall, a nice change from a more traditional stout, but not something I'd want to go back to often due to its big softness. The cigar-like aroma is pretty nice though.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 20:16:05 | More by TheWhiskerReview

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown color with thin head that dissipates quickly. Smell is a little chocolatey. Taste is fruity with some chocolate and a dry bitter finish. Mouthfeel is smooth and medium bodied with small amount of carbonation. Overall this was really just o.k. Not great.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 22:56:04 | More by TrappistJohnMD

homebrewhawk

Kansas

3.48/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz. bottle served in a snifter. Bottle conditioned. Poured a dark copper/brown Finger of fine bubble tan head. Slightly metallic aroma at the start. Fruity, yeasty aroma as it warmed along with a little black patent malt. Medium bodied and smooth. Very dry, some chocolate in the finish. Not much roasted barley character that you would expect in a stout. Not a lot of Belgian yeast character either. Didn't do a whole lot for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 23:20:09 | More by homebrewhawk

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Stout poured into a flute

A. Dark and pretty much opaque, head is light tan about a 1/4". 

S: Mild chocolate heavier on the coffee scent. 

T: tastes like it smells but magnified, it truly is a very tasty beer that makes you think of a cappuccino minus the sugar. With a offset of hops

Mouth. Light carbonation might feel heavy at first but quickly goes down. 

Overall: Pretty damn good. Was surprised ordering this at the restaurant and will keep ordering it. 

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2012 02:10:35 | More by BlurryVisi0n

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Bruery snifter.

Another late-night snack tonight. it pours a dark, murky sienna topped by over a finger of wan tan foam. The nose comprises toffee, light roasted malt, graham cracker, sweet and mild cocoa, and a touch of walnut and cashew. The taste brings in more of the same, with the cocoa coming in stronger, and a touch of both cola and lightly acrid coffee being added to the mix. Not bad. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation, and a lightly creamy feel. Overall, a pretty decent export stout, nothing amazing but something fairly drinkable and generally enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 06:59:38 | More by TMoney2591

Pegasus

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Epic, dense, persistent off-white head crowns a nearly opaque dark amber body. The sticky lacing rings the glass walls.

Aroma: Dark fruit and bitter cocoa dominate the aroma. There are also notes of spicy, vinous alcohol, spices, earth, and leafy hops.

Taste: Opens with dark roasted malt, followed by bitter cocoa, then cold coffee. There is an undercurrent of dark fruit, and a slight presence of alcohol, but it is subtle and gracious. AS the taste progresses, the roasted notes intensify. In the latter part of the taste, the dark fruits are prominent, and the alcohol tales on a spicy and warming note. Finishes with a bit of anise, and a lingering note of charcoal.

Mouth feel: Smooth and soft, with a modest sting of carbonation.

Drinkability/notes: A spectacular tour-De-force of complexity, daunting in its greatness.

Presentation: Packaged in an eleven-point-two (335 ml) bottle, served in a standard Pilsener glass.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 02:35:31 | More by Pegasus

beveritt

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Presentation: Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a Troubador logo-ed chalice.

Appearance: Pours with small amount of light tan head. This settles and leaves some lacing behind. The beer itself is dark brown, almost black.

Smell: Sweet malt with a hint of sourness in the finish.

Taste: Sour upfront with sweet malt and notes of cherry. Like a mild stout and a dubbel or other Belgian mixed.

Mouthfeel: Average carbonation, great body.

Drinkability: Not really a fan. My first and last. It tasted like a dry Irish stout and a Belgian mix, some roastiness but with the sweet caramel backbone of a Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 23:03:45 | More by beveritt

gatornation

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz pour on tap

A- pours the color of Dr pepper dark brown with cherry highlights a tan head that recedes to a thin collar and lacing

S- was sweet fruit,pears and apples and fig some spice

T- was sweet and caramel bread mixed with dark fruits and malts ,hops and spice

M- medium/low carbonation, with a crisp feel a little coffee and chocolate

O- unique tastes like a strong ale but with some stout characteristics a sweet and prickly brew

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 21:08:51 | More by gatornation

kiddynamite920

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark brown, mahogany.

S: Smells sweet, pears, apples and banana. Caramel up front.

T. Roast shows up, not huge but noticeable. Strange fruit note for the style.

M: Excellent mouthfeel. Carb is creamy.

O: On the borderline of what a stout should be.

Not impressed.

Serving type: growler

12-18-2011 06:12:12 | More by kiddynamite920

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle, taken home from this year's Belgian Beer Fest and allowed to warm some before being poured into my Bruery tulip.

Troubadour Obscura pours not quite black, but rather a very dark brown, and has faint cherry highlights when held up to light. There's a touch over three fingers of tan foam that rise up above the beer proper. Head retention is very good, and lacing is a little bit spotty, but still pretty nice for a stout. The nose is very surprising. It's almost devoid entirely of most traditional aromas that are associated with a stout, and instead smells much more like a nice dark Belgian ale. Specifically, there are a lot of dark fruit smells wafting about, with just a little bit of roast there to balance things out. It's nice, it's just a little bit off for something that calls itself a stout. The flavor brings a bit more balance. Specifically, a nice chocolate note comes in and shares the lead. The result is a flavor profile that resembles cherries and plums drizzled in chocolate. The body is a little drier than a typical stout, and the carbonation a little more active. It really falls in well with the flavor profile though to create what I'd imagine a Belgian Stout would taste like, which is what I get the impression this beer's aiming for (even if it's not a recognized style on BA). Troubadour Obscura is a refreshingly different beer from a Belgian brewer, and a fairly tasty one to boot.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 06:17:14 | More by axeman9182

FUNKPhD

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

THIS BEER WAS EXCEL-ENT

mAYbe not that good.

It tastes liike malt mixed with water.

aFTER that it it tastes like mild stout.

[,I',m feeling rather complexly refreshed now after that beer.
This thing is awesome?!

I'm deffinetly passing out alot of beer points.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 03:06:30 | More by FUNKPhD