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

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

radioscooter

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Decided to try a little bottle on advice from Dave at House of 1000 Beers, who I am now going to fondly refer to as my "dealer" or "enabler" or "personal savior".

Poured into a Chimay goblet. (hint - someone should get me some new glassware for my birthday) Dark, almost opaque Burnt Umber. Head is minimal but dissipates nicely into some remaining delicate swirling lacing.

Aroma isn't strong when right from the fridge. Smells right for a quad, fruity and robust. As always I wait a few moments before drinking for it to warm a little.

Starts off boozy and strong flavored. Vapory, with lots of dark fruit taste. Currants, maybe some plummy/figgy even a hint of grape.

There's moments of Rochefort 10, but it goes sweeter quicker and develops out as fruity vapor sooner. Also feels bozzier.

Mouthfeel is exceptional. It is a delightful feel. Perfect carbonation balance.

Overall - too strong to drink all night, but definitely a capper of the evening. A star, not a supporting act. Don't bother with food pairings, unless maybe some barely sweetened chocolate.

Awesome.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 02:19:52 | More by radioscooter

Jeffo

Netherlands

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got this one at the liquor store down the road.

From a 750 into a snifter. Cool looking bottle that I will try to get a photo up of.

Note: This is their quadrupel, or donker, brewed to be like it's ten years old. Read: This beer is NOT 10 years old. It is a recent brew, but the brewer artificially aged it to be like it was ten years old.

APPEARANCE: Pours a one finger, medium looking an head with very good retention. Dark bistre brown in color with medium carbonation evident. head slowly fades to a good foam cap. A good carp remains until the end and leaves lots of nice lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Caramel malt, dark malt, and lots of dark fruits. Raisins and dates come through in the aroma. Some spicy notes, cloves and coriander, as well as some brown sugar.

TASTE: Definitely could've fooled me. Tastes exactly what I would expect a ten year old briun to taste like. Caramel malt with lots of dark fruits; raisins, dates, and dark grapes perhaps. Lots of spicy, yeasty notes or coriander, cloves, pepper, and some spicy alcohol there as well. Big, sweet and spicy aftertaste is bold but quick. Flavors are very smooth and blend together extremely well.

PALATE: Very soft. Medium body and carbonation, and very smooth and soft on the palate. Light on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes slightly dry. Definitely feels like it's been aged in a cellar somewhere.

OVERALL: What the hell? This was a brewing experiment gone right. I would absolutely love to find an actual 10 year old bottle to compare to the magic con-artist that is the Cuvee du Chateau. I quite enjoy their regular bruin, but this freak of a brewing fast-one really got the best of me. I've had a few aged Belgian brews, and this one tastes and feels exactly like what I would expect from an aged Kasteel Bruin. Liked it so much I went back a grabbed a few more. Wonder if other breweries would be willing to try this with some of their age-friendly beers? A unique and enjoyable drinking experience. One to check out if you get the chance.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2010 12:55:35 | More by Jeffo

Proteus93

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I saw this in the store and noted that the description was merely a "Belgian Ale." Intrigued, I was curious as to what kind it would be... the 11% ABV suggested that perhaps it would be a quad. I chose to not look it up first and simply picked it up, as $8.49 for a bottle seemed acceptable compared to others flanking it.

A: Very dark mahogany... some ruby highlights that struggle to sneak out of the darkness... remarkably deep. Head is somewhat modest, but retains quite nicely. Somewhat creamy, leaving a bit of a clumpy sheet over the beer.

S: Dark fruit, though not quite like what you might find in a dubbel or quad, really. It's a bit plum-like, with perhaps some hints of raisin, but there are aspects of other ripe fruits that kind of give it a unique nose as far as the fruity esters go... like fresh apple and pear. I almost want to go so far as to say that imagining all of them in one mutant fruitball might be accurate, but that just sounds gross. Malts and sweet candi sugars are notable... a hint of toffee or caramel.

T: Quite similar to the aroma, and rather sweet, but it's a very positive experience. It manages to have a robust flavour which finishes remarkably dry, which makes for a very nice drinking experience. Finishes with just a little bit of bitterness that doesn't linger. Carbonation is beautiful... crisp, sparkling, and then it gives way to the dryness to finish. Alcohol is there, with a touch of pleasant warmth through the throat, and just enough to make each sip quite enjoyable. Very nicely done, and well worth every penny.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 03:10:51 | More by Proteus93

quine

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia

A: Poured into a flute glass. Color is deep mahogany brown, topped with a thin, tan head. Very nice looking.

S: Aromas of dark fruits, raisins, malts, and a little alcohol.

T: Strong flavors of dark fruits and raisins, along with notes of sweet caramel malts. Actually somewhat earthy. Can detect a little bit of the alcohol, but notes of tartness and bitterness towards the end works nicely to cover it up.

M: Thick and full bodied, with nice carbonation. The alcohol, while not as noticeable in taste, tingles slightly in the throat. Goes down very smoothly.

D: For 11% ABV, this is incredibly drinkable. The alcohol is very well hidden by the balance of flavors, and it sweetens even more as it warms up.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 22:03:08 | More by quine

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

300 ml from 2010

Pours a cloudy nutty brown with a yellowish white lacing.

Smells of brown sugar, cloves, red wine and cinnamon.

Tastes of cinnamon and caramel with some figs and molasses sweetness. Also, mild toasted buttered bread malts and some nutty bitterness.

Thick body with prickly carbonation and some booze numbness and warmth in the back of the throat.

Delicious dark Belgian ale, good balance of flavors. The strength makes it a sipper. Very enjoyable, though, and I could have this again and again.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 22:27:23 | More by Cylinsier

bruachan

Rhode Island

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

attractive heavy garnet color

from distance this smells like oaky wine (and maybe something fortified like marsala). cork

ooh yeah, that's vinous: wine-like heat and corky. leather and winey fruits. tart, yeasty flavors. strong bitterness holds everything afloat, yet manages not to really diminish the strength of the wine metaphor. i suppose up until the finish my mouth can pretend the bitterness is part of the alcohol experience

minimal malt-type flavors (you know, nutty or caramel), in favor of some complex esters. blackcurrant

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 01:12:59 | More by bruachan

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Bottle dated "100714" (whatever that means), poured into my New Belgium globe.

A: Pours a deep deep dark brown with a lively off-white head full of large bubbles that dissipated quickly.

S: Lots of malt sweetness and candied sugars in the nose. Maybe a hint of raisin and prunes as well.

T: Lots of light creamy sweetness here. This beer is reminding me a lot of Rochefort 10. Dark fruits arrive here, before the candied sugars move in towards the middle. The beer then finishes with a nice touch of belgian spice and maybe just a touch of alcohal heat. At 11%, it's mostly hidden here, and only presents itself in a manner that is warm and enjoyable for the flavor profile.

M: Light and lively in the mouth, this beer creams up nicely, the spices tingle the tongue, and carbonation shines through at an appropriate volume, to make the mouthfeel of this beer quite remarkable.

D/O: Drinkability is reasonably good, here. It's just a touch too sweet to be "exceptional", for my taste. Overall a very good beer, though. I really like the beers that this brewery puts out.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 02:56:51 | More by psuKinger

Muchosnachos

Arizona

4.45/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a highly drinkable Belgian Strong. It comes in at a pancreatic femur bone crushing 11% but it won't make gag if yer thirsty. It is a little thin in its mouthfeel but the flavors are nice. The aroma is also nice (rich but crisp). Delicious I will drink this daily until my market runs out. Buy it for God's sake it only costs 8.99.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 02:58:16 | More by Muchosnachos

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

timobkg

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip, it was a dark maroon red, with a thin head.

The aroma was fruity and sweet, with cherries being the most prominent fruit.

The taste rich with dark fruits and belgian yeast. Again, cherries were the most noticeable, and there was a pleasant sweetness to accompany the ripe fruit flavor.

Overall, this was a very good strong dark ale, and I would happily drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2011 13:42:49 | More by timobkg

Beerenauslese

California

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Body is a very dark brown, though still slightly translucent. Poured this into a Tripel Karmeliet chalice to produce about a half inch head. Nice tan, frothy head tops this, with good retention and ample lacing.

A lively and invigorating aroma, smells of dark malt, raisins and dark fruit, candi/brown sugar, and spices--I'm getting some anise, coriander, and ginger. Also some nutty, cashew notes.

Tastes of sweet dark fruit--raisins, prunes, caramelized apples, brown sugar, and the aforementioned spices. The licorice/anise element seems strongest, but that is well-balanced by the sweetness. There is also some espresso coffee, chocolate, and roasted nuts in the background. The alcohol is evident enough to suggest a liqueur (like Kahlua), but it is held in reign by the complex flavors and is not overdone. The finish is peppery, and light, with just a hint of ash.

For all the flavor this packs, the body is rather light, and the carbonation is round, enough to give this a creamy mouthfeel.

Overall, this is an interesting, complexly flavored Belgian quad that is light in body and pleasant to drink. At 11% ABV, this is a beer that requires sipping and/or some food pairing.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 02:16:54 | More by Beerenauslese

eric5bellies

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank from my St Bernardus Chalice.

A - Pours a darl Mahogany colour with a nice off White two fingered head that retains well and laces.

S - Sweet spicey aromas and some quite heavy stewed cherries on the nose. Raisin and dark fruits plentiful.

T - Sweet up front with some nice spiciness that follows. The dark fruits are plentiful, with raisns and stewed cherries the most prominant. The boozyness is quite warming on the finish.

M - Medium to full body with medium carbonation.

O - Kasteel just doesn't make any bad beers and this is pick of the bunch.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 14:15:38 | More by eric5bellies

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Kasteel Cuv'ee Du Chateau

2010 edition. Corked and caged bottle, opens with a resounding pop. Poured into oversized wine glasses, a rich deep amber/mahogony hue with an off white dense head that recedes away over time. Aroma is fruity, bready, a touch of alcohol, dark fruits and brown sugar. In the taste, ripe grape, raisen, and plum but mostly grape. Alcohol is well in check and stays in the background. Pleasing dark fruits, some malt body lending caramel and brown sugar notes. Damn tasty. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied and effervescent, semi-dry on the finish. Overall, a really nice beer, great flavors, clean and has the potential to age quite well.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 13:48:36 | More by Stinkypuss

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Kasteel Cuvee' des Chateau
brewed to replicate the taste of an aged bottle of Donker (formerly Bruin)…how they do that, I don't know, but that what they accomplish, that's what we want to see.

Plum-brown appearance, firmly opaque, under a slim, cocoa-toned ring of foam.

Aroma: raisins, plum, port, chocolate and spice. Mild molasses, treacle, brown sugar. Big, rich, and ever-flavorful, powerful, yet mellowing.

Hitting the lips, the dark fruit, rich malt, and hugely complex flavors barge on board, with an early trace of the high alcohol content. Magnificent. Not too harsh, not too sweet. Utterly well-rounded, even-handed, with caramel and toffee rising in prominence in the flavor. Lays very softly and elegantly on the palate. One common criticism of Kasteel Donker is an over-sweetness, and this glass has that conquered. What more can I say beyond "very, very mellow."

The plum, the raisin, the toffee and cocoa is all in attendance, but plays it very cool, calm, and coalescent. No cloying sweetness, just extra groovy. Super beautiful. Extra yum. And here and then again, the alcohol sting rises up and coats the brain for a minute. Slicks the tongue, treats the senses.

When I heard of this, that it is brewed to resemble the flavor of an aged Kasteel Donker, I wondered first how you would do that, and then, if you could, why not make that the original beer? I don't have answers for any of those questions, all I can say is that they did it, and it's wonderful. A lovely, spiked plum pudding of a brew, a laced liquid licorice whip, and a toasty, tasty, caramel and toffee confection rolling happily in the mouth, all in one. And all very mellow, very groovy...

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2011 09:31:23 | More by feloniousmonk

stingrayvr6

New Jersey

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

Had on tap at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia. Poured deep reddish black into a tulip with a thick creamy head. Absolutely beautiful, color of a dark red wine. Smell was equally impressive, fruity and malty, bitter cherry and caramel notes. Taste starts sweet and fruity, malty with some vanilla too, finish is tart cherry and Belgian hops. Mild carbonation. Fantastic beer, 10 years of aging has done this one well.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2010 00:35:10 | More by stingrayvr6

ccrida

Oregon

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

Bottled 7/14/2010. Poured into my St. Feuillien goblet, Cuvée Du Chateau is dark brown with a small tan head leaving light, foamy lace.

Smell is big esters, loads of grape, strawberry, bubblegum. Clean, spicy alcohol.

Taste is absolutely amazing. Wow. What a killer quad. Such a clan, pure fruitness, nice little spiciness and clean phenols to cut it, super smooth.

Mouthfeel is slippery and light, the epitome of digestible.

Drinkability is dangerously high. This is a fantastic beer. Absolutely world class; it may have equals, but is unsurpassable.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 06:23:50 | More by ccrida

jneiswender

Massachusetts

4.97/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Ebenezer's Pub. Served in a chalice.

A-black body

S-very vinous smell, some sweet grain smell.

T-sugar, black pepper, grapes, plums and spice

M-medium

D-world class beer. Just one of the best beers I have ever had. I would drink this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2010 14:48:28 | More by jneiswender

beast4534

Rhode Island

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer was a complete shock, and I mean that in the best way. I've found a great bar in where tap beers are available in 6-rack samples at 7 ounces each. I somewhat randomly selected this beer because I happen to like high-alcohol, Belgian beers.

The appearance was dark with a nice, thick head. Of course, 7-oz sample glasses don't do the appearance of any beer particular justice. But for a Belgian, this one looked exceptional.

The smell was a blissful mix of fruits blended with the odor of wet oak, like the woods after a night of rain (sans mosquitos). In a word...inviting.

Taste. Wow. I can't believe I wasted my time ordering the other five beers in this rack. I should have order six of the Cuvee. The inviting scent has in no way be let down by the actual taste. Is that carmel? Am I drinking brandy? What kind of fruits are in here? No adjectives can do this taste justice.

Mouthfeel...savor it. The taste does not fade. The flavors swirl around, fighting for total control, but thankfully, no single flavor wins. Great aftertaste.

Drinkabity? If this is really 11% then I will have to execute extreme moderation because all I want is another.

In Field of Dreams, Shoeless Joe asked "Is this heaven?"

No, brother, it's Kasteel Cuvee.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2010 17:00:19 | More by beast4534