Kasteel Cuvée Du Chateau - Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck N.V.

SaintBenedict

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on July, 14, 2010. Tasted on November 28, 2012 from a 330 ml bottle.

Cuvée Du Chateau pours a warm and murky plum-tinged chocolate brown with an inch-tall frothy beige head. The foam, however, is soon reduced to a thin yet solid cap of fine soapy bubbles across the surface of the beer. As the contents of the glass are emptied, the head creates a lovely dot matrix pattern of lacing on the walls of the Duvel tulip.

Not surprisingly, the nose is sweet and bready highlighting bracing citrusy notes, a spicy alcohol tincture of clove and anise, and dark juicy stone fruit. There is also significant vinous maltiness, which reminds me of bubblegum at times, as well as a notable Belgian yeast character and rock candi sweetness. Not sure how Kasteel did it, but the brewers managed to shoehorn some plump raisins, sugar-coated dates and fresh figs in there, too.

The palate follows through on the aroma, as sweet bready malt —with highlights of molasses, caramel and cacao bean— makes way for tangy citrus, faintly sour dark berries and crisp orchard fruit. Mild spicing and a hint of alcohol warmth is thrown in for good measure. The finish is tart with only the slightest bit of dryness, along with a modest suggestion of bitterness.

The body is full, although the smooth and silky velvet-like texture makes it drink quite easily. This quad goes down a heckuva lot more smoothly than the double-digit alcohol percentage might have you believe.

The sharp, bright and zesty citrus-like qualities of Cuvée Du Chateau make this a memorable quadrupel in my book. Just when I thought I had this style figured out, I get thrown a curveball…and a uniquely delicious one at that.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 07:36:31 | More by SaintBenedict

flagmantho

Washington

3.99/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 750mL corked & caged bottle into a tulip. This is the 2010 cuvée.

Appearance: dark brown with ruby highlights when held up to the light. Body seems to be haze-free with a moderate effervescence. Head is a finger of fizzy tan foam which subsides relatively quickly. Not too bad.

Smell: sweet malt with a very big raisin component, backed up by a nice pear and date bouquet. Not dramatically complex for the style, but I really like the composition. Mmmm.

Taste: very much like the aroma, with an emphasis on raisin, date and pear; there's also a pretty strong alcohol component here, which I suppose is not surprising. Quite a bit of sweetness features here, but that's acceptable for the style and works with the darker fruits.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and a good creaminess. Satisfying enough for me, although for a big Belgian quad I expect a whole lot. Still, quite good indeed.

Overall: this beer is a bit on the hot side, at least in the aftertaste, but I like the dark fruit composition. Beers of this style don't have to work too hard to be pretty tasty to me; still, this guy is worth a shot if you like the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 02:38:45 | More by flagmantho

beyah

Maine

4.85/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Tried this beer at Ebenezer's Pub, it was a blend of the 10, 3 & 1 year old Kasteel.
This dark brown rich brew with a heavy light brown head.Nice Lacing.

The taste is amazing, similar to a port, can detect the Belgian yeast. This is an especially sweet and malty beer. It ends dry, and you can't barely detect the alcohol.

Heavenly beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2013 22:51:12 | More by beyah

Dactrius

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-29-2013 00:22:07 | More by Dactrius

VAcrossr

Virginia

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-24-2013 20:23:49 | More by VAcrossr

desint

Belgium

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-24-2013 11:09:46 | More by desint

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 04:31:35 | More by MrMcGibblets

BartMcStout

Belgium

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-12-2013 21:00:32 | More by BartMcStout

Stugotzo

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-10-2013 22:23:29 | More by Stugotzo

thebouch01

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

04-18-2013 02:02:52 | More by thebouch01

JWNYC

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

04-17-2013 18:09:55 | More by JWNYC

FreshZ

Missouri

5/5  rDev +23.2%

04-09-2013 15:56:38 | More by FreshZ

RD1163

California

3/5  rDev -26.1%

04-06-2013 03:47:09 | More by RD1163

korene84

California

3/5  rDev -26.1%

04-04-2013 23:09:50 | More by korene84

Poupae

Thailand

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

03-24-2013 11:19:24 | More by Poupae

OriolesFan1008

Maryland

4/5  rDev -1.5%

03-24-2013 02:53:51 | More by OriolesFan1008

dokupe

Maryland

4/5  rDev -1.5%

03-23-2013 02:40:15 | More by dokupe

George2744

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +23.2%

03-20-2013 16:08:47 | More by George2744

LegoHunter

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

03-20-2013 01:37:33 | More by LegoHunter

MickeyD

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

03-18-2013 21:46:11 | More by MickeyD

Shatter

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

03-14-2013 00:15:07 | More by Shatter

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

03-11-2013 04:53:25 | More by spycow

Beeranator

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

03-09-2013 02:15:40 | More by Beeranator

Slikpitt

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

03-04-2013 22:22:13 | More by Slikpitt

HollyHops

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%

03-02-2013 23:56:25 | More by HollyHops