De Dolle Oerbier - Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers

Gyle41386

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle (July 2011) into a snifter. Picked this one up at Bruisin' Ales a few weeks ago.

The pour is a deep, dark, murky brown. I wanted to call it plum until I looked at it near some light. Saying that there's some dark, dark red in there may be pushing it. A very cautious pour still yields nearly two fingers of tan foam. The head retains pretty well. Very little lacing stuck to the glass.

The first thing I notice about the nose is how tart it is; that's not to say that it's the dominant characteristic, but I was taken aback by it. I'd be lying if I said I could identify the various spices that I smell, so I'll just say that there are spices in there. There are dark fruits in there like plums, raisins, maybe red apples and grapes. Also some caramel.

Dominant flavor is dark fruit. Red apples, grapes, plums (hell, maybe even cherries) - all sweet and tart flavors. There's also sweet caramel and toffee, bread, and spices.

There's a boozy burn, but it's not terribly noticeable. It's very possible that the spice flavors and lightly tingly carbonation worked in tandem to cover it up. Body is medium-full. The carbonation is prickly, but falls short of being overdone. It's an easy drinker given its complexity and alcohol content, but there's no rush.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 02:57:13 | More by Gyle41386

jtladner

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 21:59:55 | More by jtladner

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-18-2013 21:17:01 | More by Photekut

ystazi

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 01:33:50 | More by ystazi

DStoked

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-17-2013 18:29:24 | More by DStoked

Ciocanelu

Romania

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-15-2013 18:49:57 | More by Ciocanelu

Liquoric3

Germany

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-14-2013 18:16:28 | More by Liquoric3

earlholman

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-14-2013 13:32:14 | More by earlholman

BierMeJohn

Germany

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-07-2013 19:13:34 | More by BierMeJohn

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +19.3%

04-19-2013 10:20:16 | More by Jason1337

saiconotto

Maine

5/5  rDev +19.3%

04-13-2013 21:49:58 | More by saiconotto

AndrewIronfist

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

04-12-2013 18:25:54 | More by AndrewIronfist

emottram

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

04-11-2013 21:29:51 | More by emottram

Atomicskis5

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

04-11-2013 02:00:08 | More by Atomicskis5

IrishColonial

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

04-09-2013 01:19:11 | More by IrishColonial

JoninVT

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

04-06-2013 22:41:21 | More by JoninVT

zestar

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

04-05-2013 08:49:29 | More by zestar

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A 330ml bottle with a BB of July 2011 (bottled July 2009). Picked up ages ago from Trembling Madness in York and stored in my garage. I didn't mean to leave it so long before drinking it - I just never got round to it. Hopefully this strong brew will have stood the test of time, making it worthy of my 800th review!

Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. A deep, hazy reddish-amber hue with visible sediment and plentiful carbonation. Produces a large head of creamy beige foam with good retention; this slowly reduces to a patchy surface layer. A rich port-like aroma: intensely fruity and sweet. Notes of plums, raisins, figs, dried fruit, cake, brown sugar, vinegar, caramel, tart cherries, mustiness and earthy yeast. A warming whiff of booze in the background; this complements the sweet, oxidised character. Wow - it smells incredible.

Tastes of rich, fruity malt with a complex character and a dry finish. Notes of plums, raisins, figs, dried fruit, red wine, fruitcake, brown sugar, vinegar, caramel, tart cherries, mustiness, faint grass, mild stewed leaves and earthy yeast. A subtle sourness provides a counterbalance to the sweet fruity flavours, while the oxidation yields a vinous quality that hints at port or sherry. A slight alcoholic warmth in the background, though the booze is well hidden. A mild dryness upon swallowing, with a lingering fruity taste. Mouthfeel is smooth, dry and pleasantly tingly, with well-judged carbonation and good body. Somewhat astringent, with an aftertaste of rich dried fruit, brown sugar and fortified wine. Superb.

Most impressive - a highly complex and fruity brew that calls to mind wine rather than beer. It looks the part, with an amazingly rich aroma and a flavour that is a shade more restrained. The body does the beer justice. The tart, oxidised element is subtle and deliciously subversive, adding depth to what would otherwise just be a strong, sweet brew. Truly a world-class example of the style; it should be on every beer-lover's essential list. Not to be passed up if you have the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 01:15:35 | More by jazzyjeff13

Sparky44

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.5%

03-25-2013 00:36:31 | More by Sparky44

nrb1

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

03-23-2013 15:23:36 | More by nrb1

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

5/5  rDev +19.3%

03-23-2013 07:36:35 | More by grahamboudreaux

mscudder

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

03-20-2013 03:55:15 | More by mscudder

fdig23

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle date-stamped September 2012

Appearance: Murky deep brown, light brown around the edges with a really persistent beautifully bubbly off-white head.

Nose: Green caramel apples, nuts and all. Tart and juicy green apple, rich, sweet caramel, nutty chocolately malts. Really nice.

Taste: Feels a bit dulled down compared to the nose, but its definitely unique. Roasty, almost stewed meat-like malt flavors up-front covered in caramel sweetness. A bit of the tart fruity apple comes through in the middle. It finishes bitter, like a coffee aftertaste but less intense. ABV is nowhere to be found. I was expecting a complex sipper but it feels more like a chuggable drinker.

Mouthfeel: Nice, fine carbonation. A bit lacking in body.

Overall: Not what I expected but very nice nonetheless. The nose promises more than the taste can deliver, but the taste is still a delicious and different flavor profile I haven't encountered anywhere else.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 03:48:49 | More by fdig23

smartassboiler

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.5%

03-16-2013 14:17:16 | More by smartassboiler

yancot

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

03-14-2013 16:21:06 | More by yancot