De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva 2010 - Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers

ehammond1

California

4.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for sharing this with me, JealousChalice!

Clear copper in color with a thin very light brown head. Looks like melted, carbonated, clean pennies. Moderate level of visible carbonation, though the head is fairly persistent, and eventually leaves messy ribbons of stick down the glass. Very pretty, especially considering that this sat in a barrel for over 2 years.

A lovely aroma. This is something that you sit and appreciate, with no care for the outside world, the time of day, or who's staring. Layers of sticky caramel candies create the base aroma, which was a shock to me. Then, a delicate, complementary, interesting Brett and peat characteristic, definitely wine and lots of oak, and sun-dried cherry. Very nice, and very unique.

The flavor is similar, and again, not at all something I was expecting. Very simply, I'd describe this as a Belgian/Brett barrel-aged old ale, with some wine flavors peaking out around the edges, and perhaps the best example of well-integrated (high) ABV of any beer I've had, at least recently. In reality, the layers of caramel, toffees, and rich fruit cake are the base beer's defining flavors, but surrounding that are layers of wine, oak, butterscotch, and an earthy, mild, integrated Brett character. Stunning.

Medium to near full in body with moderate carbonation. Decadent and rich, yet drinkable. Perfect. I would love to take down a bottle of this. It would be effortless.

One of those beers that makes you sit up straight in your chair, look around the room, and see if anyone else is reacting like you are. An early contender for beer of the year for me (2013), though I know the year is only 2 weeks old. Incredibly delightful stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 04:14:57 | More by ehammond1

Photekut

Azerbaijan

5/5  rDev +15.2%

05-18-2013 21:17:33 | More by Photekut

ajzy

Wisconsin

2.75/5  rDev -36.6%

05-14-2013 15:54:47 | More by ajzy

Michigan

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

05-11-2013 13:11:54 | More by Michigan

BierMeJohn

Germany

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

05-07-2013 19:14:45 | More by BierMeJohn

starrdogg

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

05-05-2013 21:03:08 | More by starrdogg

FullObs

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -13.6%

04-30-2013 15:22:05 | More by FullObs

majaqua

Texas

5/5  rDev +15.2%

04-30-2013 06:16:59 | More by majaqua

sweemzander

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

04-28-2013 21:09:18 | More by sweemzander

Etan

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

04-28-2013 04:44:15 | More by Etan

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

04-25-2013 22:52:21 | More by onix1agr

oglmcdgl

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

04-21-2013 03:00:21 | More by oglmcdgl

throwback

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

04-18-2013 21:19:02 | More by throwback

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

04-15-2013 02:30:27 | More by MrMcGibblets

Jonada

New Jersey

4.69/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Deep golden burnt orange color with 2 fingers of a creamy off white head with good retention and lacing. Fairly clear in the glass with insane amount of visible carbonation throughout.

Smell: Red wine grape, oak, lactic tartness, green apple, tart cherries, dried dark fruits. The wine barrel characteristics intensify in the aroma as it warms.

Taste: Sweet and tart upfront with lots of vinous notes. Red grape, oak, stone fruits, caramel, pear, apricot, very light spicy yeast character. There's a lactic character throughout, but without the strong tartness/sourness that tends to accompany it.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, creamy mouthfeel with medium soft carbonation. Nice alcohol warming sensation in the chest, but it goes down surprisingly easy.

Overall: One of the most interesting beers I've ever had. I'm not even sure what style I would classify this as. Nonetheless, this is a world class beer, that I highly recommend trying.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:52:40 | More by Jonada

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

04-13-2013 14:49:30 | More by Holland

zestar

California

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

04-09-2013 06:26:50 | More by zestar

GRG1313

California

4/5  rDev -7.8%

04-09-2013 04:06:45 | More by GRG1313

Robdrinx

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

04-06-2013 20:05:51 | More by Robdrinx

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.46/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Served alongside the standard Stille Nacht 2010.

The beer is orange with a thin white head. Aromas of wine, barrels, musty basement, well water, mineral. Beautiful flavor. So smooth and graceful. Lovely wine character. Alcohol is disguised so elegantly, one could drink this too quickly. Lovely.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 05:44:21 | More by Huhzubendah

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev -7.8%

04-03-2013 23:50:47 | More by t0rin0

mattafett

Iowa

3/5  rDev -30.9%

04-02-2013 02:04:58 | More by mattafett

Quackus

New York

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

04-01-2013 19:38:34 | More by Quackus

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

03-28-2013 01:56:17 | More by bsuedekum

largadeer

California

3/5  rDev -30.9%

03-26-2013 19:07:45 | More by largadeer