De Dolle Oerbier - Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

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

Cap reads that this was bottled in January 2010.

Poured into a stemmed tulip: Cloudy chestnut that shows some dark cherry when held to the light, under big ol' Belgian head: cappuccino color, 4 fingers deep, glistening "celled" body, kind of looks like a Coke Icee, actually. Drops to a finger with a plateau in the center & leaves curtains of lacing.

Smells of sweet Concord grape juice, clove, a little pepper, orange peel, maybe some oxidized, papery/musty notes, a little apple.

Tastes like sweet Concord grape juice, cinnamon, apple juice, mild cocoa, some caramel, some bread crust. The booze is there, but it's mellow, like a wheat whiskey vs. a bourbon. Really nicely tied together, with a chill date kind of aftertaste. The sweet, fruity flavors really pop at the beginning - this is pretty delicious.

Full-bodied, changes textures from very smooth to more active & effervescent in my mouth, which is pretty cool. There's some warming from booze, but pleasant, not hot or overly drying. Very nice.

This is a winner, for sure. Nice interplay between chocolate & fruit, the alcohol level is really pleasing, right where it should be. Considering the last beer I had was a La Trappe Quad, I'm digging this a lot more. Maybe the age has something to do with it, but it's really even & smooth. Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 16:34:27 | More by OneDropSoup

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle of this at Hill Farmstead a few months ago. Bottled May 2010 on the cap and poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Pour is well, almost infected sized head. Talking 5 finger discount here that took forever to slump down so I could pour the other half of the bottle. TONS of sediment glued to the bottom of the bottle thankfully does not come out. The pour is an almost crystal clear dark dark amber honey.

S - Super, super musty with green apples. Super musty, not getting much in the way of dark fruits just really dusty, musty cellar aromas and apples.

T - The taste is full of the cocoa and dark fruits, like cherries and figs, a complete derivation from the nose. Actually tastes a bit infected, getting an off metallic flavour with the old cherries.

M - Very low carb, kinda boozy. Pretty average.

O - Overall, disappointed with this one. Knew when I started to pour there was something not quite right with this. I assumed the age on this beer would be a good thing but I guess not. Really doesnt work for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 03:32:45 | More by rudzud

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I was very impressed with this beer, finding it to be one of the best Belgian offerings I’ve had in quite a long time. The reviews and rating had me expecting something good but it still took me by surprise a bit. The pour was somewhat cloudy, brown, and murky, with a small khaki head and some decent lacing. Overly aggressive pouring may have resulted in too many yeasty floaties but it still looked pretty nice; not as dark as one might expect; the head while small and fast-fading, nonetheless settled down to a creamy band that lay on top for the duration.

Aroma was very chocolatey; I first detected cocoa powder, then emerging yeast notes, wood, dark fruits, and spices. In the taste, the cocoa/chocolate flavor was a bit more subdued and integrated with the other flavors; figs, prunes, and raisins, estery yeast notes, light spiciness, a touch of oak, and just a hint of pleasantly warming alcohol underneath. Complex and very tasty.

The body was medium and the carbonation was medium-high, with a creaminess to the mouthfeel that was excellent. The bubbliness gave this beer life and the smooth creaminess rounded the feel out and prevented it from getting at all prickly. A top-notch beer all around. I’m looking forward to trying the Arabier next!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 15:46:19 | More by tobelerone

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled marked OCT 2011.

A: Pours a cloudy brown in color with some highlights of mahogany and garnet. The beer pours with a three finger tall fizzy beige head that quickly reduces to a thick film with a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Light lacing is observed.

S: This beer has aromas of dark fruit (cherries dominate but also hints of plum and raisin), spices, and yeast. There are some subtle hints of alcohol present as well as a very slight hint of oak/wood.

T: This beer starts out with some malt sweetness but quickly the flavor is overtaken by the dark fruit. There is a pretty heavy presence of cherries along with some plum and raisin. There is a light amount of spice in the finish. Nice complexity.

M: Medium bodied with heavy (effervescent) amounts of carbonation. Gets smoother as the beer warms up.

O: Due to the complexities in the smell and the taste, this is probably a better sipping beer than session beer - and the higher ABV does not really lend to making this a session beer. There is a light presence of alcohol in the smell and taste, especially as it warms up. This is the second time I have tried this beer and I think it is a really good one.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 19:57:58 | More by dbrauneis

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle. Oversized glass. Enjoyed on apr´12. Dark brown in color. Beige froth, lasting creamy & foamy crown. Intense floral fragancy, wet grass & heather aromas. Vinous with caramel malt hues. Pleasant flavor, spicy, sweet/sour, peppery with a warming ABV sensation. Full body, moderate carbonation. Sweet malty finish. Flavorful for a paused drinking moment.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 17:31:09 | More by GONZALOYANNA

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.83/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a translucent russet color into my glass, with a large, fizzy, 'soda head' it recedes quite a bit but in general the beer seems to be staying carbonated constantly. There are no visible sediment grains. The aroma on this one is fantastic, like decadent baked goods. Sweet bready malts, raisins, tart black cherry, and caramel are all coming out. Taste: All of the aspects of the aroma are coming through as well as slight bitterness, earthiness, and Belgian yeast complimenting everything nicely. The finish is very complex tasting - can't quite put my finger on this new quality it introduces to the overall flavor and why it's so good. Mouthfeel - wow, I really like how this works - the beer coats and sticks to the mouth providing a pleasant tingling sensation, possibly due to the high alcohol content. Overall this is one of my favorite Belgian beers. It's odd that in my area it's not available at many places.... it belongs right next to the classics such as Delirium, Trappist beers, and so forth. Pick this up if you see it, as well as other De Dolle brews.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 04:44:22 | More by Neorebel

bashiba

Iowa

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

Poured a dirty light brown with a thin tan head.

The smell is loaded with cherry and dark fruit, light sweet malt and a hint of alcohol.

The flavor is a bit tart with huge dark fruit flavors and malty sweetness, Very cedary and woody with a bit of belgian spice.

Has a heavy yet dry mouthfeel.

Very easy to drink and enjoyable,

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 00:49:09 | More by bashiba

Blakaeris

Iowa

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours hazy caramel brown with a dense, creamy tan head.

Aroma is brandy soaked dark fruit - fig and date, along with pleasant oak notes. Subtle yeasty spice.

Taste is caramel malt and molasses up front. More of the fig and date dark fruit from the nose, along with orange. Nice bit of woody oak and vanilla. Finishes with a smooth port wine alcohol warmth, and vague yeasty spice.

Mouthfeel is a silky medium full.

Overall, a very subtle and flovorful brew. Acohol heat does have some intensity, but seems to add rather than detract from the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 00:34:08 | More by Blakaeris

sfprint

Germany

3.93/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

exp: 2/1/13
A: Single finger cola head, no rising carbonation, an opaque dark blood red
S: dark cherry syrup, almost balloon like plastic but mild, but also chocolate.
T: between chocolate and fruit. not both but between. well masked alcohol and not too heavy, slightly tangy.
M: Slightly dry, with a numbing sort of edge. very light carbonation.
O: Good. Not wowed, but it's nice.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 01:49:15 | More by sfprint

kylehay2004

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2.5 finger thick off white head with nice lacing on a brownish orange murky body. Very nice lacing. Strong sweet dark fruit aroma, one of the best Belgian dark strong aromas I have experienced with cherry and raisin dominating. Flavor has more dark fruit with a sweet mild chocolate note. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Overall this is an excellent beer and excellent member of the genre. Very drinkable and complex.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 14:03:00 | More by kylehay2004

XicanoBeerRun

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aged 1 year
Poured into a snifter
Smell was tart and of alcohol
Medium foam, but impressive carbonation in the mouth
Opaque reddish brown
Thick mouth feel
Malty, fruity, but not a sour fruit as the smell indicates. Slight alcohol on side of mouth
Good lacing

I’ll have another.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 21:45:00 | More by XicanoBeerRun

dpomranky1

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled July 2011. Purchased from Grape & Gourmet in Virginia Beach. Poured into Beach Brewing Company pint glass.

Appearance: Beautiful looking beer. Dark cloudy brown that produces significant head...dissipates rather quickly as does the thin lacing.

Smell: Belgian yestiness which I enjoy thoroughly. Faint fruitiness.

Taste: I get a little Quad taste to it. Very crisp with hints of apple and I get a bit of white wine qualities in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Very pleasant. Spot on carbonation.

Overall: Very nice beer. ABV of 9.5% is masked well. Will defiantly purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 23:05:16 | More by dpomranky1

4000qtrap

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Source/Serving: 11.2 oz bottle

S: Aroma is intense. Very spicy with ginger and clove notes. Bright notes of white wine, green apple, and a wiff of lemon, mint, and honey keep things lighter than most spice-driven Belgian styles. Light bourbon booziness.

T: Full of rich, ripe dark red fruits but remains dry and not sweet. Intense. Lots of ginger and clove balance the fruitiness. Moderately tart. A touch of lemon peel, mint, and bourbon. In the middle, a heap of bitterness crashes down on you. Not astringent, but a bit rough and quite potent. Combined with the heavy carbonation, moderately high dryness, and intense spiciness, it’s an aggressive tongue assault. Definite bourbon notes. Full stop. Finish is continued spiciness, peppery alcohol and hops, and remains fairly bitter, with a grapeskin character. Minty hop and booziness lingers. Nice medium-full body coats the tongue nicely.

Notes: Over the top in many ways, but very balanced. An intense brew that’s not for the faint of heart. For me, the carbonation is too high and the bitterness is a little rough. Otherwise, top notch.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 00:19:35 | More by 4000qtrap

elNopalero

Texas

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to XicanoBeerRun for sharing this one.

Bottled February 2011. Drank in February 2012. One year old.
This pours a ruddy brown color with tight lacing and thick, tiny bubbles. It has a velvety appearance because of this. Looks fantastic.

Incredible aroma, tart and sour. Some lacto, perhaps, and hints of tannic notes.

Tastes fantastic. The effervescence coats the mouth and the tart, sharp flavors linger for days. The malt gives it some sweetness to contrast with the sour notes. Warms well, with an apparent alcohol warmth to it at 9%. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 17:54:54 | More by elNopalero

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.83/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a very dark brown with red tones. Thin light tan head dissipates very quickly leaving a thin band around the glass, no lacing. Aroma of dark and light fruit, sour apples and cherries. Very dry dark and light fruit flavor. Complex flavor, but very subdued, finishes with a bit of alcohol and and a spicy, almost peppery hop bite. Medium bodied and surprisingly prickly carbonation considering the lack of a head. The dark body must block active carbonation that is not visible and clearly does not persist as foam. This is quite different; too dry for my taste, but I still enjoyed trying it. Interesting an unusual.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 04:25:44 | More by LiquidAmber

dodgerrigo

California

4.47/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 11.6oz. Bottle into tulip.

A: Nice dark brown, large head. Looks great.

S: Some hints of raisin, chocolate present as well.
Smells sort of boozie, not in a bad way?

T: I can taste raisins and choclate, not like stout. Full bodied, very
Easy to drink for 9% alc.

Overall I would reccomend this beer to any fan of beer. Definetely worth $6 at Wholefoods. I now understand the reputation of DeDolles.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 04:29:24 | More by dodgerrigo

smakawhat

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass.

A real large head out of the bottle, but doesn't have much retention, very soapy character and falls pretty good. The color is real impressive, and off redish pink and brown. Body color is a great dark red garnet, with some brown. It looks fairly clear but not easy to see through the color. Cap settles to about an inch, some faint leg coating on the glass, but no given lacing. Very impressive.

Great wonderful nose on this. Cherry spices, hard rock candy and lots of taffy. A nice yeast component mixing in with Belgian candy, just a little heat, giving it almost a wine like edge. Very dam impressive. After a few sips though the bouquet seems to get lost.

Extremely prickly and carbonated in feel upon first taste. Huge gas heat punch opening up with cherries on the palate. Stinging almost wild character but not quite. Fairly light bodied but with lots of carbonation. Fruity, light and crisp for a dark ale which is kind of interesting.

Overall, it quite a neat take for the style, don't think I've had one this effervescent in feel, and the toned sweetness is nice. I think this one needs a food pairing though, don't feel drawn to just casually drinking it, but it's pretty solid have to admit.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 23:39:54 | More by smakawhat

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.63/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled Feb 2011.

Beer is dark brown with hints of red. A large, frothy off-white head sticks around seemingly forever- great retention.

The most immediate smell coming off the beer is cherry, accompanied by plum, raisin, strawberry, bready malt, yeast. Smells quite sweet. Very nice.

Taste has all of the fruit flavours present in the nose (cherry. strawberry, raisin) but also has some new elements: bitter chocolate, caramel, a bit of vanilla. Quite complex and really excellent. Alcohol is noticeable but not in a negative way - adds a nice edge to the sweet fruit flavours, just as the bitter chocolate flavour does. Lovely.

Pretty highly carbonated - more than I like. Somewhat irritating. Otherwise good. Lighter than expected from such a strong and rich beer, but nice.

Overall, just terrific. A really nice melange of flavours in this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:38:54 | More by jrenihan

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into an oversized wine-glass. Pours an opaque burgundy with a beautiful bubbly tan head that is two fingers even in this glass. It smells of yeast, cherries and a little like red wine- not a strong smell but very enjoyable and flavor enhancing. It tastes very strongly of sour cherries at first- very similar to Russian River's Consecration wild ale. The cherry persists throughout along with some malt and a hint of alcohol. Like all other De Dolle beers, Oerbier is very strongly carbonated (which personally I love) and not a beer you can drink really quickly. I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:20:26 | More by Hopdaemon39

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft pour into a 10oz chalice for $8.50. Sampled 1/28/11.

A: One finger of creamy-foamy light brown head. Respectable retention deposits a delicate web of lace as it drops. A crescent shaped collar lasts long but no lace is added from the body. The color is dark tawny with faded plum accents. Cloudy to borderline murky.

S: Light oxidation on the nose. Flesh of plum, dates, cherry and possibly even a hint of orange peel. The dark fruits are as mellow as can be. Not as complex premier BSDAs tend to be, in either width or depth of aroma.

T: Emphasis on smoothness and the integration of a small canvas of flavors. Mild alcohol comes through but it is very smooth and almost undetectable. A feat given the ABV.

M: Soft, velvetty texture with gentle effervescence for a smooth and creamy result. The beer seems to levitate over the tongue.

D: [DRINKABILITY] Extremely easy to drink - perhaps even too easy - but I don't really have the interest in ordering another. I guess I went in with expectations too high, because I wasn't that impressed. Maybe this beer prefers to be poured from the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 15:28:53 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

3.88/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle 9,5% Abv.
Served lightly chilled in an over sized wine glass.

Appearance: Lightly hazed russet brown body topped by a massive cream coloured head that sadly fizzes away pretty quickly leaving sparse lace. A back light reveals beautiful deep crimson highlights and golden edges.

Smell: Mmmmm, this smells great. The initial note is of lightly burned caramel but this is quickly overtaken by dark fruits and a ton of spices. Plums, sweet strawberries, rum soaked raisins, figs, nutmeg and cloves to be specific. There is a distinct vinous note and warming yields a touch of balsamic vinegar - similar to that which I associate with oud bruins.

Taste: Wow, after the nose the flavour is a little disappointing. Warming yields improvement but not enough for the score to be altered. As with the nose the flavour is quite vinous and offers both sweetness and a little tartness. Raisins, cherries, rum, figs, cloves, almonds and brown sugar are all present.
The complexities of the nose are there, but the flavour just lacks the power needed for this to be a great beer.

Mouthfeel: Initially the beer is quite over-carbonated, but things settle down quite quickly and the medium-full body can be enjoyed.

Overall: A solid BSDA but nothing special. I'm not sure I will seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 19:22:01 | More by Thehuntmaster

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours a deep nut brown with a dirty thick haze. huge creamy head slowly dissipates leaving some great thick retention.

sweet and malty, with loads of fresh dark fruit, raisin, light tobacco.

very sweet with a similar flavor profile that the nose has, only with an added citrus burst in the back. slight citrus hops give this that extra bit of complexity.

very full, chewy, lots of mild carbonation to fill this out.

although sweet, very delicious. a must try

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 01:22:50 | More by hooliganlife

warnerry

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled Feb 2011; a pronounced pfffft as the cap is removed

A - Even a slow gentle pour yields two fingers of head. Head has outstanding retention and leaves a lot of lacing. Pours a clear deep amber.

S - Interesting combination of aromas. A bit vinous with raisins and figs. caramel and a small amount of chocolate. Some of the aromas seem to be clashing, but good overall.

T - Taste starts off with a bit of caramel and dark dried fruits, with some green apple, grapes, a bit of pepper and dark brown bread from the middle through the finish. Also a very faint yeast funk. Aftertaste reminds me of red wine.

M - Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of with maybe a bit too much carbonation. Finish is dry with a bit of earthiness.

O - Very enjoyable and unique strong dark ale. Very interesting combination of flavors. I would definitely get this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 21:59:34 | More by warnerry

hardy008

Minnesota

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

Opaque medium to dark brown color with a large foamy tan head with great retention and lacing. The aroma has green apples, dates, figs, brown sugar, and a bit of tartness.

The taste is much like the aroma. Green apples, dates, figs, brown sugar, some tart cherries, and a small amount of hops. This comes together nicely to make a sweet beer, which is not overly sweet. Nicely made.

Medium bodied, creamy, with above average carbonation. Has a light sweet aftertaste, and the alcohol is well hidden. This is a very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 04:04:46 | More by hardy008

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