De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva 2006 (Bottled 2007) - Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers

Foxman

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It pours a hazy, yeastified brewed tea brown with amber glints. Two fingers of light beige head settle soon to frothy islets. Arches of lacing curl along the inside of the glass.

In the aroma, toasted malt and lightly tangy wheat bring berry fruit and doughy biscuit. Esters grant mild spice and a chaw of bubblegum. A ripe, dark fruit tartness and alcohol also zest the air.

Upon sipping, sugar sweet and dusky grains present briefly before the hog-wild sourness puckers and smacks on a big wet one. Esters are pepper-spice crisp and a gentle floral note brings more aromatics to the party. A twist of licorice and some heady alcohol fancify the interior. A soft mint tickle, dry citrus, and a wee bit of biscuit presage a crisp and savory finish that fades and dries. It's quite an eye-opening blend of complexities.

Medium bodied, it sticks just a little along the way, glows some more, and grows tart on the tongue in ample measure.

It's an anticipated annual release, I'm told, and it's a treat well worth the from year to year. It has a unique profile that hints at adventure in the process and the knowledge to make the stretch work well. The ABV is bowling-ball-bicep bold and worth a word or three to the wise. I've never had it before, and I'm not sure if I'll be lucky enough to have it again, (though I will be looking for it) but I've surely enjoyed this edition.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2008 19:30:00 | More by Foxman

Photekut

Azerbaijan

5/5  rDev +17.9%

05-19-2013 00:09:15 | More by Photekut

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottle, 06 vintage, that I picked up either at State Line or Maxs, I can't remember which.

A clear dark mahogany reddish brown with a dense, beige head with excellent retention and minimal lacing. The head retention is exceptional, considering the ABV here. The nose has a big, vinous sourness along with a blend of smoky cocoa, raisins, plums and toasted oak. There's a mildly dusty note that pairs well with the oak. The fruit character is fairly intriguing too. Along with the aforementioned raisins and plums, there is some dried cherry, jammy raspberry and strawberry acidity present. Very nice.

The palate opens with a rather bracing acidity, a blend of lactic and acetic, with the acetic flavors carrying the raspberry and strawberry flavors while the lactic acid brings forth the vinous notes. The mid-palate has a blend of red wine, cocoa, a little vanilla and some oak. The cocoa character is interesting, I don't usually taste much in big sours. Oak appears on the finish, along with a little bit of a fatty/meaty texture, which is an interesting (but not wholly enjoyable) contrast to the tannic and alcohol-induced astringency that this beer does have. This fatty/oily texture does fade with time, though. Fruity and vinous flavors do linger on the finish. Medium in body this beer is slightly over-carbonated (but not by much). A pretty excellent beer IMO.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 06:17:55 | More by DefenCorps

cfrances33

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2006 bottle, enjoyed 12/31/12, poured into a Hill Farmstead stem.

Pour: Very murky mahogany, with a quarter finger so off white head. Head actually leaves some lacing, and hangs around as a thick rim.

Smell: Lots of caramel up front, followed by some overripe tart cherries. Lots of oak... it probably owns the nose honestly. A light lemon juice on the finish.

Taste: A ton of sour cherries and caramel. There is some oxidation there, but it surprisingly works, and lends some raisons and old dark fruits. More sour lemon juice, a light funk, and loads of dry oak finish.

Mouthfeel: Really tart, and borderline sour. Wait... this is 13%??? Are you sure it's not like 6% De Dolle? Carb mixes perfectly with the tartness, and the dry is super dry with oak.

Overall: This beer was the sleeper of my NYE 2012, and held it's own again Flora b3 and DDG. Insanely drinkable. I'll be crossing my fingers to see more vintages of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 01:35:59 | More by cfrances33

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle, poured into a snifter; side by side with the 2007

The body sits a murky brown with a small, bubbly bone white cap. The head rose a little less than a finger, and subsided leaving some spider web lacing.

Tart cherries, oak, brown sugar, and earthy. Not overly complex, but very rich and well-balanced sweet/tart/earthy aromas.

Tart, slightly puckering, cherry flavor with loads of oak tannins. This almost has a red wine aroma to it. Grape skins, earthy toffee, raisins, and rum, all in equal doses. The complexity really comes out on the palate. Every sipped revealed a different layer.

Creamy with a little prickly acidity, but not much. Dry, oaky finish with some lingering tartness from the cherries and a little bit of rum-like alcohol.

This was plain delicious. Tremendous complexity and damn tasty. A stellar example of the style.

I preferred this to the 2007. The extra year seemed to have made this more well-rounded. The flavors played better together and the sourness wasn't as abrasive as the '06.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 17:02:58 | More by ColForbinBC

seeswo

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%

06-15-2012 02:15:17 | More by seeswo

acurtis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.7%

04-01-2012 00:20:08 | More by acurtis

djrn2

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

04-01-2012 00:18:33 | More by djrn2

mdillon86

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

03-30-2012 02:34:58 | More by mdillon86

HopHead84

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

3/11/2012

Bottle courtesy of Joe, thanks! Snifter.

A: Dark brown and opaque with a finger of light brown froth that fades in half a minute, yielding scattered lacing.

S: Date, fig, and prune meet brown sugar and earth. Oxidation is light and there's a dash of caramel. Plum accompanies grape and a light tartness with a restrained funkiness. There's a faint citrus note that reminds me of orange. The malt is rich and complex, with treacle and toffee. No alcohol is evident. Amazing aroma.

T: Tarter than the nose suggested, with a faint acetic note. The malt is robust and rich, with notes of treacle, brown sugar, toffee, and caramel. There are vinous notes throughout: plum and grape with a little prune. Date blends with fig and tannic grape skins. I detect a little cherry.

M: Lower full body with a creamy medium carbonation.

Overall: A unique and excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 03:27:51 | More by HopHead84

chakadrum

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Tasted on 2/27/2012 at Resurrection Ale House in Philadelphia, PA.

Side note, I love the fact that this bar/restaurant always has a good cellar selection.

Related... Today is Monday and I had a good Monday. A good Monday truly deserves the chance for a memorable beer. This didn't blow me away but it was a solid good and held up well to the aging which is such a cool thing.

Served at room temperature (probably 65-70°F) in a Oerbier glass.

Pretty good lacing throughout. I'm a sediment drinker and this one didn't have an overwhelming amount which was also a good thing. The color wasn't anything special but that's not a bad thing.

There was a hint of "old" in the nose. I imagine if you are really really into aged beers you develop a love for this aspect. I'm still learning and old still smells a little old to me. However, it wasn't overwhelming and there was a little dry-fruit-belgian-magic in there too.

Solid taste. Again, a hint of old but some oat, some subtle dried fruit, brown sugar...

A very appropriate level of carbonation, almost pleasantly surprising for something like 5 years old.

Again, I wasn't blown away by this beer but I was glad to have tried it.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 02:28:38 | More by chakadrum

chrispoint

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

02-18-2012 17:40:49 | More by chrispoint

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2006 vintage, opened 1/13/2012

A: Murky, red-brown body. Thin off-white skim. A few stray bubbles left on the sides of the glass.

S: Cherries, caramel, leather, lactic tartness, raisins, and red wine.

T: Tart cherries, sweet caramel malts, a nice tartness, and a fine madeira-like quality. Mild oxidation has treated this beer well.

M: Silky smooth mouthfeel, gentle carbonation, nice tartness in the finish. A little boozy, but I won't complain.

O: Aged De Dolle is a wonderful thing.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 04:03:19 | More by callmemickey

ygtbsm94

Virginia

4/5  rDev -5.7%

12-30-2011 08:13:33 | More by ygtbsm94

pzrhsau

District of Columbia

3.68/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

God Bless my local brew show for having this beer randomly available.
A: Rich cloudy brown color with a nice lace of head.
S: The beer is slighly sour aroma with a nice blend of roasted malt, banana, and roasted nuts with slight oak undertones.
T: Nice tangy malt flavor a nice blend of tropical fruit and roasted malt that really bring out the flavor of the hops.
D/O: Very crisp and drinkable with a great complex flavor that blends with the alcohol content and doesnt overpower.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 02:04:05 | More by pzrhsau

beerpirates

Belgium

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

Had this @ kulminator

pours deep red-brown with a small fine tan head. the head drops fast and leaves spotty lace.

aroma is intense. malt vinegar. lemon. leather. bit of horse blanket. bit of orange. light alcohol. cracker. bit of grain. white bread.

taste is great. lightly toasted white bread. multi-grain crackers. leather. tobacco leaves. bit of horse blanket funk. light alcohol. lemon. bit of orange. malt vinegar. hint of dark chocolate. light dark fruit - cherry.

mouthfeel is good. just over medium carbonation level. medium body with a dry finish.

drinkability is great. nicely balanced, hiding the alcohol quite well. the funk and sourness also don't overpower. great depth and complexity overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 20:28:43 | More by beerpirates

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

12-03-2011 13:50:11 | More by bsuedekum

brandoman63

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

11-30-2011 17:01:07 | More by brandoman63

kansascitytrader

Kansas

5/5  rDev +17.9%

11-24-2011 18:03:10 | More by kansascitytrader

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by ygtbsm94. Thanks Brad.

The beer appears chestnut / dark ruby hued with a light tan head that leaves ample lacing on the tulip glass. Fantastic aroma of wood, sour cherries, yeast. Terrific flavor, with a prominent wood character throughout. Cherries and a light, basement like funk. No way I would guess this is 13% abv. Alcohol content masterfully hidden. Nice feel. Easy to sip and enjoy. A superb example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 01:29:57 | More by Huhzubendah

bbadger

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +12%

11-15-2011 02:28:54 | More by bbadger

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +12%

11-14-2011 23:05:52 | More by JAHMUR

scinerd3000

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was the last bottle at Teresa's and poured into a tulip.

A: Medium pour raised a perfect one finger head which fizzled but stayed for almost the entire time i was drinking it. Hazy dark ruby/brown beer and red highlights. Lacing was poor.

S: Very complex, cherries, dark figs, pronounced sourness, clove, cinnamon and fresh leather.

T: Sour with some fruit up front. Cherries or maybe something else- couldn't say. Lingers long into the taste. Just sweet enough to cover the 13% alcohol. No bitterness. Only fault is a slight cardboard note at the very end- possibly oxidation which was a bummer. otherwise a 5...

M: well carbonated and smooth. Medium body. Leaves a lactic fruity sweetness which is very pleasant.

O: Would drink again if i could find it....

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 00:28:00 | More by scinerd3000

DaveHS

California

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

courtesy of pranaferox.

A-Opens with a hiss and nearly gushes all over the place. Luckily I had a glass ready to go. Pours deep mahogany with ruby highlights and a foamy amber head that hangs in streaks down the glass.

S-Smells like an awesome flemish sour ale. Rich notes of oak and cherry, balsamic vinegar, dried stone fruits, rose petals, musty barnyard funk...Jesus. This is going to be good.

T/M-Balsamic vinegar acidity, sour cherries, brown sugar and dried flowers. There's a lingering funkiness on the back end that becomes more pronounced with each sip. The mouthfeel is velvety smooth and rich without ever approaching cloying. There is a warming quality in the finish, but that's about the only indication of the ABV.

O-One of the better years of this I've tried. It's drinking perfect right now, so if you have any bottles, now's the time to enjoy them.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 00:22:55 | More by DaveHS

glid02

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of a 2005-2009 vertical shared by Jeremy – thanks!

Pours a slightly hazy dark brownish-amber color with a half-finger tan head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of medium malts with lightly tart white grapes. Also present are hints of leafy hops and funk.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Lightly sweet medium malt flavors kick things off and are joined almost immediately by booze-soaked and lightly tart grapes. Midway through the sip light funk comes into play and the tartness intensifies a bit. Near the end of the sip mild leafy hop flavors even things out and carry through to a mildly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It’s got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall I enjoyed this beer as much as the 2008, more than the 2005 and 2009, but not as much as the 2007. I feel as though it’s seen its peak. Still, it remains a complex beer and is worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 01:31:17 | More by glid02