Maredsous 8 - Brune - Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV

Scotsman

Missouri

4.65/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is best when available from the tap but it is still great in the bottle. This is such a great beer and very consistent. It was a staple at my favorite European style bar here in the states. It has fruity notes and no bitterness. It is amber to slightly dark with a little head. Very refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2012 17:49:51 | More by Scotsman

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.45/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

33cl bottle into a Maredsous goblet.

A: Clear brown body under a finger of fine tan head. Great retention and lacing. Excellent.

S: Raisin, plum, toffee, marzipan, and alcohol. Very sweet, fruity, and pleasant.

T: Follows the nose, but with more emphasis on the malt and less on the fruitiness. Good balance of sweetness and booziness, but a little short of being impressive.

M: Ultra lively, bubbly, frothy, explosive. Overcarbonated, plain and simple.

O: Enjoyable but not memorable.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 13:50:36 | More by woosterbill

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes:

Appearance: pours a nice medium brown; slight haze; good head with big suds; hint of red like a plum

Aroma: fruitiness, hint of grapes; some coffee, banana

Taste & Mouthfeel: medium-heavy carbonation; not as sweet as expected, nice lightly bitter finish; hint of roasted coffee; cherry notes; medium body

Overall: complex flavour and well balanced with good mouthfeel - a great all around beer

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 14:38:56 | More by BGDrock

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

rich rich dubbel. pours last last possible shade of red before it becomes a velvety chocolate brown color, nice lathery white head. smells like sweet toffee and malts, almost like a heathbar cookie, molasses, and a aromatic belgian yeast. flavor is also very complex and layered, with that same toffee tone and a delicate dried fruit sweetness. the yeast is the shiny penny in this beer though, huge bouquet reminds me of late summer, slightly tart and dry too. feel is lovely, good carbonation, fuller body, and a very well hidden alcoholic element. just picking up a bit of warmth as it goes down and settles. this is a great beer on tap, ive heard mixed reviews about the bottled version, but my specimen was exceptional.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2012 05:52:17 | More by StonedTrippin

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

3.8/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle poured into Leffe chalice. Dark mahogany colour, medium tanned head, hazy clung to the side of the glass. Smelled rasins and grape. Tasted notes of red wine, had strong hints of dark chocolate, long slightly bitter finish the 8%abv was well hidden. Smooth texture. Good beer but needs ageing to reach it's full potential.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 14:43:21 | More by jonb5

Merkur

Tennessee

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Beer pours a nice dark brown with a good amount of foamy off white head.

Beer smells very richly of dried fruit and raisons. A bit malty as well.

Taste follows the nose very closely. Slightly sweet and very malty.

Beer is a bit thin on the mouthfeel. It could have been a bit more thick

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 01:51:40 | More by Merkur

jneiswender

Massachusetts

3.18/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Had this beer at Mead Hall in Cambridge. Served on tap in a brewery wine goblet.

Poured a murky brown body and an off white head. Smells very vinous. Tastes wine like as well. Jolly Rancher candy malt flavor. Very light on the palate.

Okay. Not a bad beer by far but I just don't get that much complexity beyond a very wine like flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 02:01:08 | More by jneiswender

Drinkerofales

California

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pourse a clar dark brown with reddish/purple highlights. A tan head large tan head forms and leaves plenty of lacing. The head recedes rather quickly to a thin head that never leaves.

Smell is of dark fruit and rum. Yeast and booze are present as well. A malty molasses and some spice round out the aroma. Wow, I am in for a treat.

Tasty is malty, fruity, with some more nutty malt in the middle. A slight earthy bitter aftertaste finishes the flavor.

Texture has some bite from the alcohol, but not too much. Plenty of carbonation for the medium bodied beer makes this pretty drinkable.

A very complex smell that isn't followed up in the flavor. Still a very excellent beer, one I would gladly drink and recommend.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 09:57:56 | More by Drinkerofales

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml corked and caged bottle poured into tulip 16/2/12

A hazy dark amber with a short lived large beige foam that ends up with a thick film that leaves random patches of lace

S raisins, plum and brewers candy with some spice, yeast and booze

T a little toned down from the smell with less spice and candy, some apple I didn't smell, a little faint but decent

M a little thinner then expected, slightly foamy and a little heat from the booze

O not a bad beer but missing something to put it up there with the truly great brews

I didn't mind this brew but I wasn't blown away by any aspects, I think you could buy better beer with less money

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 06:22:54 | More by wordemupg

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

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

BB 03 2014

Beer is dark amber, fairly red in colour. Decent-sized beige head, thick and solid looking. Head dissipates at a moderate pace, but leaves behind a pretty substantial film. A bit of lacing.

A very fruit-filled smell. Lots of raisin, grape, plum. Some cherry. Brown sugar is strong as well, accompanied by Belgian yeast. Quite pungent. Nice smell, fairly typical for a dubbel but good.

Taste is not quite as strong as the smell, but is very similar and still good. The dark fruit is still the strongest element. Quite sweet, with brown sugar flavours. Like the nose, I would say a good example of a standard dubbel. No tricks, but none needed.

Pretty high carbonation level, but it works for the beer. Medium bodied.

Overall, a tasty beer and a very faithful example of the style: almost the archetype of a dubbel. There are better dubbels out there for sure, but there is really nothing wrong about this one. Good in every respect.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 01:51:29 | More by jrenihan

matjack85

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Quencher's Saloon in Chicago. 11oz serving served in its own Mardseus glass for $8.

The beer poured a clear crimson red color with a 2½-finger tan head that lasted several minutes and left very good lacing. A beautiful looking beer.

Toffee and brown sugar aroma with a mix of figs and plums.

Lots going on in here. At first you get a sweet toffee and brown sugar flavor, but then it turns more bready and fruity with a plum, red grape, and tart cherry taste. I also pick up a little bit of licorice flavor. There's even a bit of earthy hops. Alcohol is noticeable in the finish and aftertaste.

Smooth and medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

This is a nice sipping beer to be enjoyed and savored.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 18:29:12 | More by matjack85

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Maredsous goblet at Durty Nellie's.

Yeah, paying cover sucks, but the stamp tonight is at least interesting... This stuff pours a clear mahogany topped by a bit less than a finger of cream-khaki foam. The nose comprises fig, brown sugar, light orange zest, toffee, and Belgian candi sugar. The taste brings in more of the same, along with some clove, light cinnamon, honey, and very light cocoa. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a watery-style smooth feel. Overall, a nice, easy-going dubbel, something I could see throwing back a few times at the bar, but not necessarily something I would consider in the upper echelon of Belgian beers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2012 07:08:05 | More by TMoney2591

TheHammer

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Nice finger of head and that didn't retain as much as I would have liked but produced quite a bit of lace. The body is a deep plum coloured brown. A thing of beauty.

Smell: Dark toffee, figs and plums with touches of fruity yeast and the smell of brown sugar. It subtle and warming really helps to bring it out.

Taste: Sweet taste starts with a fruity fig, plum and apple taste that turns more into a molasses sweetness and ends with bit a pheonal spiciness with a touch of alcohol kick and slight smokey touch.

Mouthfeel: Excellent transitioning, carbonation helps out the entire beer although sadly didn't get enough head for long enough. Leaves a sweet sugary plum aftertaste that doesn't cling and isn't overpowering.

Drinkability: It's smooth going down but the carbonation is a bit high and comes across as a bit too gassy. The high alcohol is masterfully disguised. Complex, but not to the point of coming across as snooty.

Final Thoughts: While not as good as the Blonde, this is another exceptional brew. I still have the Tripel to drink, and I regrettably get the feeling that it is going to disappoint. In any case, you'll want to give this a shot. I think it would go really well with a Montreal style steak.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 22:24:57 | More by TheHammer

deaconoflove

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ap. beautiful ruby brown with large fine tan head and very good lacing.
Sm. My first thought was a dried fruit aroma...maybe apricot, some malts, and orange zest?
Ta. Chocolate malt first followed by a hidden bitterness or alcohol coming through with raisin note. Lingering mild bitter finish.
Mf. V. good carbonation, body, slightly sweet.
Dr. v.v.good stuff. After dinner sippy beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 23:39:04 | More by deaconoflove

beerthirtysa

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Note: our bottle did not look like the photo--we bought it in Belgium, so the label may be different. At the bottom, the label reads, "Brune--8--Bruin"
Appearance: Lovely garnet color against the light, rich cream-colored head that lasts forever and leaves nice lacing on the glass.
Smell: Not very complex. Husband says: it smells exactly like Haribo Cola Gummi candy, and that's all I can think of when I smell it. Wife says: That's true. But I pick up warm malt and toffee notes.
Taste: Lots going on here. Warm toffee, malt and spice, but overall the character here is dark, rich bread--even rye bread. Then the finishing hops kick in, and the finish is astringent without being overpowering. Warmth is the last note, probably from the alcohol.
Mouthfeel: chewy, creamy, rich, but not oily.
Overall: Wife says: This is the perfect Christmas beer. Husband says: I agree--or perfect winter beer. A wonderful beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 22:16:22 | More by beerthirtysa

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.6/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving type: 330 ml bottle. The “Best before” date on the back is “09 2012.”

Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color looks black, but I think it is a very deep brown. Three fingers of slightly tinted, thick head dissipated slowly to leave a billowy cap in the middle, a ring of foam around the edge, and trails along the glass; it eventually settled to a thin lacing.

Smell: Scents of yeast, caramel, toffee, fig, plum, apple, red grapes, brown sugar, spice (I am not sure what, though), and maybe a little molasses. There is a hint of booze — the aroma features the alcohol sharpness — but it is not distracting. A number of other reviewers say it smells like wine, and I agree. (It is thankfully not, though.)

Taste: Not as fruity or sweet as the smell; instead, it has a surprising roasted quality. Lots of roasted caramel, toffee, brown sugar, and molasses. The yeast is omnipresent and the mouthfeel is bready. An earthy hop bite lingers on the cheeks and tongue after each sip, and pepper spice emerges. The dark fruits, especially a red grape skin flavor, begin to sneak in as the beer continues to warm, but they are not as prominent as they are in the smell.

Drinkability: This beer is a very pleasant surprise. I like this stuff a lot. Complex, well-crafted, and very tasty — I expect nothing else from someone who has made a vow of celibacy.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 20:21:50 | More by TheQuietMan22

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.28/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured unto a flute.

Appearance: Dark Amber, might look opaque depending on your lighting but it's not...it is definitely somewhat clear. Light tan head 1/8"

Smell: Smells of fine wine, dark fruits slight grapes and quite honestly wreaks of greatness.

Taste: This ale tastes of what you want in beer, alcoholk, bitterness, complimented with a semi-sweet after taste.

Mouth: Light medium carbonation, easy to drink but feels a little flat.

Overall: This was a gem, honestly well crafted and not overly complex and might just need to have another here at the Waterzooi. Hope you enjoy as much as me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2012 02:02:51 | More by BlurryVisi0n

timtim

District of Columbia

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

best before 07 2012, so i assume this is a couple years old. pours dark brown with a very tan head that holds and leaves splotches of lace. nose is cola, spice (licorice? anise?), and mildly burnt toffee. taste is cola, spice, toffee, brown sugar, overripe plum, date, wood, and a touch of roast and booze which translates rum and cokeish. a bit big for what i like in my dubbels, but full of flavor and seems like it has come together quite nicely. medium full body with plenty of carbonation, yet it somehow drinks soft and smooth. alcoholic dark fruit aftertaste with a slight chocolate roast kick in the finish. quite good, but a little hot and lacks real personality.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 03:32:07 | More by timtim

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

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

Poured a thick off white two finger head into a maredsous goblet, beautiful crystal ruby colour - huge retention with sticky lacing all the way down the glass

Smell is floral hops and sweet malt, dark fruit

Taste follows the nose with plum and grape notes

Mouth is medium to full bodied with lots of carbonation, warming booze and balanced bitterness - very smooth and deceptively drinkable.

Excellent dubbel

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2011 19:05:12 | More by Stocean1

danedelman

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked this one up with a best by date of 12/2010, a year older.... cork was a bit of a challange to remove

A-deep dark mahogany color with a nice head that held on for quite some time.

s-lots of candi sugar, toffee, figs and dates. Very sweet smelling almost like a wine.

T-very mellow smooth belgian candi sugar and dried fruits with a slight boozy finish. Also getting some black strap molasses flavors in the after taste.

M-very clean and crisp with good carbonation.

Overall-I will make sure I keep going back to get the same old bottles.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 22:51:10 | More by danedelman

MADhombrewer

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Cork and Caged 750ml bottle. Best before date of 3/2013

Appearance- Light brown almost red. Big fluffy off white head. I kinda expected, or hoped for, something darker. Big chunks of lacing left behind. 3/5

Smell- Belgian yeasty bananas. Caramel. Bits of clove. 3/5

Taste- A little more hoppy than I expected. The Belgian yeast comes out at the end of the swallow. This is also very carbonated. Lots of "scrubbing bubbles" on your tounge. 4/5

Mouthfeel- Pretty thin. Would like a little more of a mouthfeel. 3/5

Overall- I was kind of hoping for something a little more fuller. In mouthfeel as well as taste. After pouring and smelling I thought the taste would be bland, but it was not. Still a little more dark fruit would make this much better. I also think the hoppyness is one of its saving graces. 3.5/5

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 13:08:31 | More by MADhombrewer

Kendo

New York

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got it on tap at the Merry Monk in Albany, where it's served in a chalice.

A: Body is clear mahogany-brown in color with a solid off-white/light tan head. Leaves behind real good lacing.

S: Not terribly strong in the nose. What's there is sweet - fruity and malty.

T: Follows the nose, with caramel malt, ripe fruits, some dried fruits (figs, perhaps?) and a bit of spiciness. Finishes with a bit of dryness, and alcohol heat is felt in the belly.

M: Good fizziness; call the weight medium.

O: Solid stuff here. Enjoyable and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 15:47:52 | More by Kendo

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - a hazy deep brown with a tower of off white head that wasn't going anywhere like most good Belgian Abbey beers
S - strong yeasty aromas of dark fruit, nutty with a big spice note
T - yeasty dark fruit and sweet caramel malt, light nuttiness, subtle hints of spicy and perfumy hops
M - big carbonation kick with a creamy feel that finishes with a light alcohol dryness
O - this is fantastic dubbel that has its own character with the added malty flavours of caramel and nuts, an easy drinker that could quickly sneak up on you and put you on your ass, a great holiday brew

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 03:51:18 | More by joemcgrath27

BigPlay1824

New York

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed in a snifter

A: Pours a deep amber color that is entirely clear with a finger of mocha colored head that us very fine in character and lingers beautifully, leaves a good amount of lacing
S: licorice, and resinous woody notes lick a fresh cut piece of dark wood like elm, not exactly what i had hoped for for the style
T: smooth and deep in the beginning then moves into a nice period of cherries which lingers on the palate beautifully
M: medium carbonation, thin on the palate then finishes a little bit dry but nice
O: a nice brew, scent wasnt where i was expecting it to be but everything else was pretty much in line

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 04:00:27 | More by BigPlay1824

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It has a nice dark brown color to it with some nice amber and ruby hues coming through. It has a nice tan head that dies down moderately and leaves some lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of dark fruit, Belgian yeast, some caramel, light spiciness and some earthy notes.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a sweet dark fruit and raisin flavor to it, nice caramely malts, some spices, nice yeast, light earthy tones in the back and a light bitterness.

Mouthfeel: It has a med/high carbonation with a nice sweet balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 20:59:46 | More by SebD