Maredsous 8 - Brune - Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV

klukoff

California

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Had in a bottle so I cannot much speak to the appearance of this regal animal, beyond a bottle that looks like its seeped in tradition.
S - Like a loaf of German pumpernickel bread that's been in the cabinet a little while, a rich grainy smell. My favorite aspect of this beer.
T - Like it smells, very bready. Bitter, but without the kick of hops in an IPA. Bitters concentrated in the front of my mouth and then lathered across the rest of my tastebuds. Taste lingers for a long time.
M - This is where I had the most trouble with this beer. It's hand-crafted by authentic God-fearing Belgian monks in a stone abbey according to 12th century tradition into a rich liquid. Too rich for my tastes, I took one sip and realized this is going to be a long beer. If, God forbid, they let me run the show, I'd lighten things up. Why so serious, Maredsous?

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 14:50:46 | More by klukoff

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

4.23/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A: Cola brown with an almost yellow head.

S: Flowers. Yeasty wine. Prunes and sherbet. Cola – very Belgian.

T: Bitterness and cinnamony Coca Cola are the first discernable flavours. As it warms I get the classic Belgian prunes and dried figs but none of the laquer/nail varnish like in bigger Belgian ales. Almost at room temperature and rhubarb is really punching through. Bread pudding also springs to mind. The fruitiness is very residual, leaving a lovely long aftertaste.

M: Frothy and light. Lets it down.

O: Initially somewhat unrefined but opened up as it warmed. It was probably best at just below room temperature. Never been bowled over by the dubbel style and this was no exception. Great flavour but too light and frothy for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 11:30:14 | More by Hoppsbabo

TheDoctor

Quebec (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A:
Pours an opaque mud brown that looks quite red/amber in the light. Has an excellent two-fingers of creamy beige head that slowly quiets down and leaves a perfect 1/4-inch gloppy, spotty, clingy cap of suds. Decent retention and beautiful lacing.

S:
Fresh and clean. Sweet and warm on the whole. Really pronounced smell of dark fruits and doughy yeast. Tad of spiciness but not too intense.

T:
Light vaguely sweet and refreshing. Under-ripe cherries and wet grass hit you up front before a nutty, creamy yeast taste that finishes it off (with the tiniest bump of hop bitterness).

M:
Crisp and really good pronounced carbonation. Medium body and creamy on the whole. Lots of different blasts of fruit, earth and spices mixed with the slightest detectable warm, sloppy booziness.

O:
Excellent beer. Wow. It has all the things that make a really strong beer good, but is super drinkable and (with an ABV of 8%) is relatively sessionable. Gorgeous. The head is neither too intense nor non-existent. The beer packs a lot of flavor but it is all so well-balanced that you hardly notice how much is going on. Really well-constructed beer. Would definitely drink again.

Also, take into consideration the temperature. I really enjoyed it the more it warmed up. Take it out of the fridge a decent while before drinking!

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 19:20:00 | More by TheDoctor

TheBeeraholic

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev 0%

06-15-2013 18:28:24 | More by TheBeeraholic

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark chestnut, cloudy body; medium head

Aroma: Malty; hints of chocolate

Taste: Malty; coffee-like; sweet to bitter finish; good balance between sweet and bittier; very good

Remarks: Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 15:33:38 | More by IchLiebeBier

LifeByTheDrop

Texas

4/5  rDev 0%

06-14-2013 01:15:23 | More by LifeByTheDrop

Eighty

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

06-13-2013 20:15:47 | More by Eighty

felipeprates

Brazil

4/5  rDev 0%

06-11-2013 11:08:50 | More by felipeprates

leeo

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

06-11-2013 05:08:48 | More by leeo

backphish

Texas

4/5  rDev 0%

06-10-2013 02:11:02 | More by backphish

ystazi

Illinois

4/5  rDev 0%

06-09-2013 19:21:31 | More by ystazi

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.55/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

From the caged, corked 650 ml. bottle stamped: MBR00901C1-01/07/13-01352. Sampled on June 9. 2013 so it is a few months old.

It pours a perfect looking ruby red-brown with a soft, delicate beige head that lingers and laces gently along the side of the Abbey goblet.

The aroma is vibrant with Belgian toasted malts, Belgian candied sugar, yeast, dark dried fruit, coriander, and clove. Absolutely luscious to smell.

The body is quite creamy and bold with a slight astringency. The body seems to be the weakest aspect of this fine beer.

The taste roars back and gains back my confidence in this beer with its dark fruit, dark malts, and sweet character. But there is this kind of moderate bitterness that sneaks up on the backside resulting in a fine balance. By far one of the top Dubbels I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 17:29:30 | More by puboflyons

abex44

Texas

4/5  rDev 0%

06-08-2013 13:38:45 | More by abex44

bunbury

Panama

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

06-04-2013 00:00:16 | More by bunbury

Garrettshu

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

06-01-2013 20:03:53 | More by Garrettshu

teenbeat

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev 0%

06-01-2013 02:20:49 | More by teenbeat

Monoke

Ireland

3.25/5  rDev -18.8%

05-29-2013 19:29:39 | More by Monoke

cannunzi

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

05-29-2013 19:23:57 | More by cannunzi

hardrock

Arkansas

4/5  rDev 0%

05-29-2013 02:41:09 | More by hardrock

RedWeizen83

Texas

3/5  rDev -25%

05-27-2013 19:18:43 | More by RedWeizen83

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

05-25-2013 23:12:39 | More by Slatetank

desint

Belgium

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

05-24-2013 10:59:50 | More by desint

kvnstfrd

Missouri

1.75/5  rDev -56.3%

05-23-2013 04:48:50 | More by kvnstfrd

pin

Australia

3/5  rDev -25%

05-21-2013 21:34:46 | More by pin

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev 0%

05-21-2013 00:56:41 | More by johntfox