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

CrellMoset

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On tap at Monk's Cafe, Philadelphia, PA. Served in a tulip.

Appearance: So, looking at this in the dark lighting provided by Monk's Cafe, I see a truly gorgeous mahogany-hued body, replete with soft and slow carbonation, capped by a small and short-lived but significant head. Using my phone as a flashlight to really get in to things, however, shows the body to be much muddier, dirtier, cloudy ... essentially far less attractive. So I'll take an average. Either way, there's only the faintest hint of a collar and no side or surface lace.

Aroma: Warm sugars greet the nose immediately, but they're followed very closely by tons of warm fruit sugars - strong white grapes, black cherry, and raisins are prominent among them.

Taste: The 10 years of age on this beauty shows. Tons of sweet, glassy malts wash over the tongue - brown sugar, caramel, molasses, and dried, dark toffee balances perfectly with some medicinal Belgian phenolic spices, vaugely reminiscent of coriander. The fruit notes shine through in spades, though, with a slew of macerated cherries and raisins as well as a few more unexpected notes like prunes (that definite telltale tartness), figs, pear, and slight green oakiness.

Mouthfeel: An amazing smooth, well rounded, and mature mouth. Tons of smooth, soft, definitively Belgian carbonation in a thick, sweet, malty body make for the perfect balance of lift and smoothness. Immaculate.

Drinkability: An expertly crafted brew. A fantastic drinking beer that had no hint of alcohol at all - I was shocked to read that this one was 11% ... between the mild tartness and maltiness, its completely buried. If you like malty Belgian's, this is one for you - worth seeking out, even at the (somewhat) steep price.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2010 19:51:27 | More by CrellMoset

Billolick

New York

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Large bottle, $9 and change at DeCicco's in Ardsley, NY. Caged/corked/foiled, the whole deal including bottled on dating (100527), and a dated cork (Mis en bouteille 04/2010)

Pours darkest of browns, moderate darker tan head, going to a splotchy film, and leaves some dense bands of sheeting and bigger blobs of lacing.

Love the rum raisin nose of a quality BSDA, with some sugary fruit added to the party.

Complex, large and flavorful. Rum, raisins, dark figs, dense and tasty stuff. On the moderate side bodywise, equals dangerously drinkable.

Mighty fine stuff-Belgian lovers rejoice and go get some.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 23:38:38 | More by Billolick

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 bottling. Poured into a Leffe goblet. The beer pours out dark brown with ruby highlights. Very little in the way of carbonation or head. Very classic quad nose on this one. Sweet notes of raisins, figs, cake batter, and port wine. Oh yes!

Luscious full body and a nice firm feel. It could probably use more carbonation, but I prefer quads to be a little flat so I can get more of the subtle flavors. This one rocks! Lots of ruby port flavors all over the palate punctuated by sweet raisins, dates, sarsaparilla, and brown sugar. The finish has a nice warming touch of alcohol which adds even more richness to the flavor. An enjoyable sipper that goes down much too quickly.

Gosh I love a good quad, and this is a good quad. For big, robust, complex flavors, they just cannot be beat. This one has all the attributes I look for: sweet dark fruit, big bready malt, that Belgian yeast flavor that always reminds me of puff pastry, and port-like on the palate. It's not the best quad I've ever had, but it is awfully good. It's like munching on spiced holiday cookies that have been soaked in mulled wine. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 01:56:44 | More by deadonhisfeet

chinchill

South Carolina

4.31/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Foil and cork capped bottle served in a Unibroue snifter. 2010 vintage on label; 4/2010 stamped on cork.

A: Hazy, cola-colored brown body; a bit murky but not opaque. Tan foamy head quickly settles to a thick ring and some thin 'islands', leaving splotchy lace on the glass.

S: An appealing and sweet mix of brown sugar, dark bread, raisins, prunes and other dark fruits, caramel, and some spicy Belgian yeast. Some alcohol tones and a hint of molasses or sorghum syrup.

T: Taste is also quite rich and complex, and has a similar character, although not nearly as sweet as the aroma suggests. An exceptionally well-integrated mix of flavors featuring dark fruits, and dark bread. Hints of brandy and yeast. It has a moderately spicy finish with hints of nutmeg and anise. Alcohol is even more hidden than in the nose.

M: Full-bodied, with low+ carbonation; smooth. Only a very slight harshness from the high ABV but, of course, warming when swallowed. [3.75]

Overall: An outstanding quad. Sold 'pre-aged' but may well also have benefited from some further aging in my cellar. Mellow and easy to drink for the style, despite the 11% ABV, yet plenty rich and complex. Highly recommended.

{revised with March 2013 tasting of 2011 bottle}

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 23:04:49 | More by chinchill

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draft pour into a 10.5 oz tulip for $7.50. 11% ABV. Indicated as the Kasteel Bruin aged for 10 years.

A: Served with a finger and a half of light brown foamy creamy head with respectable retention. Sheet-like lacing begins to smather the glass as the firm collar and sudsy film stay alive. The body is pitch brown and seemingly opaque until it is held in front of light, where a transparent ruby body is garnered. Active streamers keep the collar alive and well throughout the course of the drink. After the head has dissipated, the body doesn't contribute any more to lacing.

S: Toasty, earthy and woody. Faint cherries add a touch of fruitiness to the nose. This brew is by no means one dimensional, but the aroma has less complexity than expected. Very good nonetheless.

T: The cherry flavor is more distinguishable on the palate. Actually, everything is more pronounced on the palate than it was on the nose. Delicious. Rounded flavors with bitter English hop undertones, very soft, with a finishing flavor of port wine. Rich and smooth. Faint spices including anise.

M: The mouthfeel is wonderfully rich, smooth and supple providing just enough mild carbonation to keep things safely distant from cloying. Long finish. Alcohol is hardly noticeable, until the brew warms, and even then, it was only noticeable on the exhale.

D: This brew has aged gracefully (or has forced-aged gracefully according to an earlier reviewer). The Kasteel Cuvée Du Chateau is very much a sipper and could have just as easily been labeled a quadruple rather than a BSDA. Perfect as a digestif.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2010 00:07:13 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

avalon07

South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a goblet. Had a dark brown color and a cloudy consistency. There was a small amount of foamy head that quickly dissipated. Not a whole lot of lacing.

S: A big aroma of dark fruit, chocolate, and malt.

T: Tasted of chocolate (just enough), some malt, a bit of yeast, and dark fruit (raisins, plums, etc.). Boozy, but in a good way. A powerful, complex, well done flavor.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a somewhat harsh finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is definitely not a beer wimps. It's big, strong and forceful. It's also well made and totally drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 11:49:39 | More by avalon07

Douberd

Netherlands

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Small bottle of 330 ml, at home. Poured into a snifter.
Light brown colour, with a small beige head, fainting too quickly.Aroma of red grapes/port wine, alcohol, molasses.
Flavours of caramel and chocolate at first, with a porto wine flavour on the finish.
Nice creamy body with the right carbonation. Gives a nice alcohol warmth,without the high ABV being much notable.
Really great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 21:26:25 | More by Douberd

Patrickbrusil

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This offering from Kasteel is a goody.

Nice head and big egg shell, yellow cake colored lace bubbles.

Smells of brown sugar, molasses, dark fruits, and some bready notes.

It drinks more like a brown ale than a quad in terms of mouthfeel. Well carbonated with a creamy texture that lingers for some time.

The taste is rather complex with some wood-like characters, raisins, and a fruit cake sweetness that is somewhat muddled into the rich character of the brew. I do get a slight boozy burn but only slightly in the back of the throat.

Very drinkable and very nice. I'll take this any day.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2011 19:49:40 | More by Patrickbrusil

ShadesOfGray

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Issac Newton's in Newtown PA had on tap...stated very limited...new, and will probably never have again. Most people confuse this beer with a Belgian Brown ale, but infact...this is a Barley wine. Pours a dark brown with maroonish tinge, from tap. Brought to our table almost immediately and already no head what-so-ever, and with that said, not much lacing to speak of.

On the other hand, aroma was very pleasant...sweet, Belgian-like of raisins and other dark over-ripe fruits. Slight boozy scent, malty and Belgian yeasts. Overall, a sweet smell.

Hmmm...wow. Great taste. Sweet flavor wasn't as strong as the aroma led to believe. Still good, but more booze in the flavor to counter-balance the sweetness. Not much hops to speak of. Finished pretty dry.

Thick, full bodied...robust! Booze is definitely warming. This beer came out of nowhere! Very, very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2010 00:49:30 | More by ShadesOfGray

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-dark ruby brown with a light tan head

S-really dark, sweet belgian sugars. surprisingly does not smell boozy at all

T-just a dark mouthfull of dark belgian sugars...just tasty! the after-taste is a great quality of belgian sugars with a hint of cherries. this is just wonderful! there's not a lot of booziness at all for the abv. its very sweet as well. the burnt taste is there and appreciated.

M-medium carbonation with a sharp, dry finish

D-i do love this beer. this is one of the best non-fruity belgians i've had. the taste diminishes a bit but i truly hope to have this one again a couple times! i was very pleased, especially after having many disappointing beligians over the past weeks.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 07:54:39 | More by AdamBear

chakadrum

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

No head to the beer and very little lacing throughout the drink.

A bit of sweet dark fruit on the nose. I would have liked a little more intensity, but definitely above average. A little bit of that aged funky basement sort of smell - an appealing amount.

The taste really did it for me. Remarkably balanced. Some sweetness coming through as I'd expect for such a high gravity beer but the right level of sweetness. The taste slowly fades and leaves a little bit of bitterness which is nice.

A little thin in the body. This might be expected given that the beer was bottled just under 2 years ago (July 14, 2010). I could see this beer maturing very nicely for a couple more years.

I think I paid $4.99 (Total Wine and More) for this beer and it was worth every penny. I could easily see this going for $8-10 on tap and I'd gladly pay it.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 04:16:24 | More by chakadrum

OF001

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

750 mL champagne top served at just under cellar temp, 8C, in a tulip with etching.

Very dark ruby-amber pour that is almost black with a nice sedated head that is super find and tops out at about 3 finger with a careful pour. Gentile carbonation maintains head at a dense and resilient 1cm.

Nose of boozy caramel and a touch of toffee, sugary cooked dark fruits: plum and raisin.; and a slight citrus note to elevate it from just deep and dark.

Smooth cooked sugars dominate a base of sweated plums and mulled pears, some dried figs and raisins. Lemon peel and alcohol give some levity and brightness to it all.

Mouth feel medium-heavy bodied and is smooth on the initial taste but quickly carbonates and combines with the citrus and alcohol (broken record i know, but the counter balance is persistent) before it comes to a juicy peak and medium dry finish.

Over all a nice Cuvee/cru, hits all the right notes but lacks a little body and that thick heavy malt base I expect. It looks fine but I want the fluffy wafting head a belgian should always have. Nose is balanced and is in line with the taste and body, but a bit boozy. As it warms the taste does deepen but at the expense of alcohol domination, which I normally like but here it's a little much.
some more residual sugars would have helped a lot, the finish is just too much on the dry side for a dark, fruity belgian.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 00:13:00 | More by OF001

ocelot2500

Arizona

4.22/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep ebony color with a frothy, off-white head that leaves a good amount of lacing.

Smells of rum soaked raisins with other roasted notes behind it.

Tastes of sweet fruits with some dark malt. Fruits are characterized by raisins and plum with perhaps some bruised pear in the background. Sweetness is pleasant and not overly done. Dark malt notes roll in to add some brown sugar and a touch of chocolate. Alcohol is noticeable, but does not detract and gives the fruits added depth as well as warming the palate.

Mouthfeel is medium-full with a slightly creamy amount of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 03:12:10 | More by ocelot2500

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: brown sugar cloudy, shimmer, khaki finger head,
beautiful lacing

S: figs/dates, big malt, spices

T: plums/jam, big malt, mild spice/alcohol warmth

M: heavy/med body, smooth/chewy

O: Wonderful Belgian Quad,
nice ABV warmth. Highly recommend it.

DELICIOUS, MUST TRY!

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 16:41:22 | More by BeerLover99

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma: Bitter fruit, sour apples, yeast, honey, sour white grapes, alcohol (lots).

Appearance: Deep amber, difficult to see through. Pours a thin brown head that quickly dissipates leaving some bubbles around the rim of the glass. Good lacing.

Flavor: Sour grapes and apples, then moves on to sweeter grape. Some alcohol, but hard to detect through the bold sweetness. Mild phenols.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Slightly syrupy, but porous and fluffy from the moderate carbonation. Warming from the high ABV. Overall on the oily side.

Overall: Nice and sweet for a quad. Also mildly bitter. Very easy drinking for the style. The grape flavor is unusual yet exceptional.

NOTE: Bottled on 7/14/2010

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 17:55:14 | More by soulfly1492

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From the depths of the castle's cellars, Honsebrouck pulls these well vintaged Donkers with the added complexities that only maturity provides.

Dark brown in color with timid tawny red highlights emitting, the yeast-hazy beer releases a delicate coffee-like creme that skirts the surface of the beer with low lacing on the glass.

The strong presence of malt rise to the olfactories with aromas of hard candies, pound cake, and light chocolate. But the fruit quickly becomes the story, taking precedence over the malt. Grapes become the obvious culprit while savory vinous wine notes follow closely behind. Raisins, dates, figs, plumbs, and prunes round out the estery display. Lighter spice notes rise from a rum-like alcohol scent with subtle notes of peppercorn, clove, and allspice.

Flavors are candy-sweet and startle the taste buds at first. But a quick follow of dry malt taste, evaporation sugar-like malts, alcohol, and mild hop bitterness keeps the beer tasting like candy, but without the associated sweetness. Still the flavor of grape hard candies stick with the palate even while complementing tastes of red wine, port wine, chocolate, plumb, prune juice, black licorice, and a dash of soy sauce waft the palate with wave after wave. Instead of relying on the balance of spice, the beer allows its sheer complexity to round the beer and provided the much needed procession of taste from sip to finish. Still, a backdrop of hop bitterness, clove, and peppercorn rise slightly in finish for the slightest sentiment of closure.

Richly textured, especially for the normally expansive carbonation of typical Belgian ales. But the beer revels in its unresolved sweetness and provides a succulent and savory mouthfeel, drawing favorable comparisons to desert wines and digestive. Wavering slightly as the beer finishes, the dryness of hops, alcohol, and receding malt sweetness allows for an indefinite linger of malt in aftertaste.

Getting past the notion that Belgian ales must provide the effervescent champagne-like dryness and evaporating candish sweetness; a savory sipping beer can be every bit as complex and satisfying to the stomach and taste buds. Honsebrouck has proved this with their time honored Kasteel Donker, but really showcases the phenomenon with Cuvee du Chateau.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2012 18:21:44 | More by BEERchitect

zeff80

Missouri

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 bottle consumed on Thanksgiving 2012.

A - Poured out a clear, dark burgundy color with a one-finger tan head of bubbly foam. It receded to leave sticky trails of lace on the glass.

S - Aroma is dried dark fruits. A good bit of maltiness and bread crust.

T - Lots of dried fruit - plum, fig and raisin. Sweet caramel and maltiness with a touch of toastiness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium to full bodied quad with a dry finish.

O - This is a good beer and a big beer. Went well with Thanksgiving dinner.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 01:20:09 | More by zeff80

mclaughlindw4

Maine

4.18/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip.

A-Pours a very dark amber color with a thin head. A steady slow moving stream of carbonation keeps a layer of head only aroung the edge of the glass.

S-Roasted and figgy and other dark fruits. As I am drinking it the aroma has turned to a sweet and fresh.

T-Its rich tasting and medium bodied, flavors are complex, fig and raison and whatever else. The alcohol is well disguised, but some hints are there.

M-Full and creamy and pleasant.

O-For the price this is not a bad beer, I will drink it again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 21:40:49 | More by mclaughlindw4

CrazyMacHarris99

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark reddish-brown with a tan head that dissipates quickly while leaving a thick, oily coating on the glass. The smell is strong with dark stone fruits and soft, ripe raisins. There is a slight booziness which mixes well with the sweetness of the dark fruits. The dark, sweet fruits come through quickly while the alcohol lingers on the back end. There is not much bitterness, just malty sweetness. A great example of a BSDA. The mouthfeel is smooth from the tight carbonation and the drinkability is insane for an 11% beer. Great representation of the style and a great drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 05:24:10 | More by CrazyMacHarris99

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle: Poured a dark brown color ale with a quite large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of candi sugar and Belgian malt with light fruity ester is quite nice. Taste is also a generous mix between some candi sugar with balanced Belgian malt and notes of fruity ester. Body is quite full with nice bottle conditioning and great carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Well done though a bit heavy for everyday drinking.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 19:28:00 | More by Phyl21ca

barczar

Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque deep brown with a solid quarter inch tan head that dissipates into a ring of foam.

Aromas of dark fruit, cherry, plum, and belgian yeast are supported by a slightly sweet, dark malt backbone.

Flavor is fairly cherry/vinous dominant, with belgian yeast and lightly toasted malt carrying into a somewhat peppery finish. Notes of chocolate, caramel, and alcohol add complexity. Candy sugar sweetness emerges as it warms.

Body is fairly thick with moderately high carbonation and a light finish. Significant alcohol warmth is present.

Overall, a nice quad that hides the alcohol flavor fairly well. Not as complex as I had figured but the vinous character is interesting and helps the body not seem so heavy.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2012 01:32:05 | More by barczar

DaveHS

California

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The aim of Cuvee De Chateau is to recreate the experience of drinking a ten year old bottle of the Kasteel Donker, their standard Quad. Though it is not much of a success in this regard, it manages to reproduce a few characteristics of a vintage beer. In fact, the brewer has had to defend his beer against allegations he has simply released a ten year old batch of Donker.
A few months ago, I was lucky enough to sample a ten year old bottle of Kasteel Donker. It had held up very well over the years. Though the body had thinned a bit, there were fantastic musty stewed fruit flavors and an overall character that was reminiscent of a great vintage port wine. The finish had dried out considerably, compared to the sticky sweet back end of fresh Donker. Some of these characteristics exist in the Cuvee.

A-Pours a hazy mahogany with over an inch of frothy off white head. As it recedes, it leaves thick sheets of lacing, with an inner layer of sticky, spidery lace and a small cap of foam.

S-Aromas of dark rum, biscuity malts, raisins, candied cherries and brown sugar.

T/M-The flavor profile manages to be fairly complex, without ever getting too sweet. The body is significantly drier than fresh bottles of the Donker, and has the same muted carbonation as a vintage bottle. All the flavors you'd expect from a quad are present (dark fruits, candi sugar, roasted nuts, etc.) but there is also a liqueur quality to the Cuvee that I cannot attribute to many other fresh quads. A thin, focused sweetness that never gets too big, but feigns the maturity of a vintage beer.

O- Good stuff. I'd be interested to see how this ages.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 18:37:27 | More by DaveHS

bogus564

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 fl oz, poured into a tulip glass.

The Rams are getting pummelled by the Eagles, and the Ravens are whipping up on the Rams. Can't say I care too much, except that they're both losing me in my spread pool. Time for more beer...

A: Surprise, surprise, surprise - it's dark, and real dark at that. It's the color of a Pepsi, with a dark wheat-colored 2 cm head that doesn't last very long before dissolving into lace. This could be interesting...

S: I can smell this from 18" away, but let's get it to my nose for giggles. I smell citrus fruit, dark fruit, and something slightly burnt. Even more interesting.

T: Wow, it's really sweet. There's the banana that you'd expect from a belgian ale, there's also a dark fruit, like prunes, there's a caramel note, there's a slight spiciness, kind of like cloves, there's the yeast - there's a lot going on with this. Makes you go all Sherlock Holmes with the clues.

M: It's good, halfway to very good. Medium-bodied, carbonation is right, you can taste the alcohol, it washes fairly well over the palate, and there's a sweet finish. Most people prefer a dry finish, but I don't think that it detracts from the general mouthfeel.

O: A decent beer to have with dark meat, like burgers, steak, ribs, that kind of thing. I'm going to have a cheese steak in an hour, and I probably should have cooked it earlier; it would have paired nicely. Good health to you.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 20:00:15 | More by bogus564

Everydayoff

Thailand

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 vintage came in 750ml bottle poured into a tulip.

A:
Gloomy dark brown color with a slight garnet tinge, the pour produces rich tan frothy cap with medium retention then yields plenty of sticky laces clinging on an inner wall. Once it settled, there is thin bubble film covering the partial of a surface.

S:
Exploding a well mellow fruitiness and sweet derive from plums, prunes, grapes, molasses, treacle, barley malt, balancing by subtle phenolic note, slight creamy chocolate, some roasted trait also dough and bread.

T:
The sweetness and fruitiness overwhelm reminiscent of dark fruits, ripe grapes, sugar, molasses, treacle and caramelized malt. Alcohol reveals itself in the middle of a taste yielding process reinforcing a sweetness portion which is a bit fusel-like, some burnt smokiness and roasted malt bitterness weight in the complex end that wrap up all sweetish, fruity and bready hints.

M:
Thick yet a bit chewy body, rather low carbonation but well carry out in entertaining the palate, finish is rather dry.

O:
Well done in all dimensions, not a brew for daily drink but perfect for special occasion and time.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 08:38:17 | More by Everydayoff

nickd717

California

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft at Ebenezer's. Apparently this is also called by the less appealing name "Donker."

Pours medium-dark brown and somewhat opaque with a nicely formed off-white head.

The aroma is nice with caramel, brown sugar, Belgian yeast, and dark fruits.

The flavor is somewhat fruity with plum and raisin notes, nuts, sweet caramel malt, mild roast, and Belgian yeast.

Medium-full bodied with average carbonation.

Not boozy at all - the 11% ABV really hides itself, making this a dangerous beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2010 18:14:49 | More by nickd717