Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel - Brouwerij Straffe Hendrik / Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Aroma: Dark fruit esters. Dates, raisins and apricots. Mild peppery phenols, not necessarily spicy. Definitely some alcohol, which is spicy. Some malt character, although I'm getting a faint aroma of brown malt.

Appearance: Pours a moderate light brown head. Some lacing, although the brew is still quite cold. Deep copper in color. Crystal clear.

Taste: Lots of those dark fruity esters, mostly dates and raisins. Followed by mildly bitter hops, and finally the spicy alcohol. Nice flavor, actually a bit lighter, not overly bold.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bod, even though there is a good amount of carbonation. Not drying at all, which is welcome here.

Overall: Wouldn't exactly call this a traditional European Quad. This is comparable to a Stone Strong Ale. Nice and sweet, a little bitter. Oily, not dry. Very good.

Notes: December 2013 freshness date. Lot C. Drank on 1/21/2012.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 01:30:48 | More by soulfly1492

Dave1999

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured pure black with no head at all.

The smell was dark fruits, plums, figs and raisins.

The taste was similar to the smell, the dark fruits were in full force. There was also a bit of an alcohol bite.

The mouth feel was thick and chewy with medium carbonation.

Overall a solid quad, very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 18:25:41 | More by Dave1999

Pencible

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: This poured a cloudy mahogany with fluffy light tan head.
S: It smelled like salty Worcestershire sauce and sweet molasses and honey wheat bread, with some bitter copper hops and figs and Belgian yeast.
T: It tasted like sharp copper hops at first, followed by sweet molasses and dark fruit and salty Belgian yeast, with some pumpernickel and dry dark chocolate. It had a clean and bittersweet aftertaste.
M: It was fairly thick with moderate smooth natural carbonation. Nice delicate body.
D: This was a solid quad with a refined scent and taste and great body. The finish was surprisingly smooth, so it was easy to drink. Could probably improve with a few years in the cellar, but very nice fresh. Not the top of this style, but still fully enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 21:41:31 | More by Pencible

BucBasil

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap into a branded tulip at Cambrinus in Bruges.

A: Blackish purple on first glance, but red notes in the edges when held to light. 2 finger light tan head with good retention.

S: very sweet aroma of sugared dark fruits and jam. Yeast character subdued. Very sweet smelling with brown sugar rounding things out.

T: Sweet in the taste as well. Berries mainly. Slightly nutty character. Finishes long with a butterscotch and caramel note covered by yeast and brown sugar.

A good quad overall, and must be some special offer since I didn't even see this at the brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2010 19:36:26 | More by BucBasil

u2carew

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle.
A) Pours with a finger thick head then settles. Clear mahogany color.
S) Raisin. Caramel. Alcohol.
T) Delicious malty flavors combine with a alcohol twang. Notes of apple, raisin. Sweet earthy caramel.
M) Medium to full body. Alcohol warmth. Very mellow carbonation.
O) A delicious Quad. I would definitely drink more.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 17:51:14 | More by u2carew

Mar02x

Netherlands

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A dark brown beer with an enormous light beige head, unfortunately the head shrinks in till a small layer remains.

S - A sweet malty scent mixed up with some yeast.

T - A creamy delight with an overpowering sweetness from candy sugar, some yeast flavor and not really anything else. What makes it a bit plain.

M - A full body and a creamy feeling, light sticky and little to none alcohol warmth!! For an 11% it is nicely done. Furthermore there is no real bitterness.

O - A tasteful delight always nice to have some on you're shelf.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 17:59:05 | More by Mar02x

kylehay2004

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Half finger head on a hazy deep brown body. Excellent lacing. Simple aroma with mostly sweet caramel malts and some herbal notes. Flavor is very different with dark candied fruit, candy sugar, toffee, caramel and a mild tartness. Medium body and lighter side of moderate carbonation. Very smooth. Perfect amount of sweetness and a touch boozy but for 11 percent not bad at all.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 00:02:13 | More by kylehay2004

Infamous7100

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: ruby/orange/brown, with an off white head tan that doesn't go away. Beautiful.
S: all kinds of malts! Some grapes, apples, figs and other dark fruit...lovin it.T
T: Matches the nose closely. All kinds of malty sweetness bt somehow not overly so.
M: smooth, creamy, a nice and sweet boozy hang that is sligjty warming.
O: Pick this up if you are a quad lover. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 00:43:08 | More by Infamous7100

Ciocanelu

Romania

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass.

Dark brown color when held towards the light. Large head with very good retention and lacing.
Sweet malt and brown sugar in the aroma. Also quite boozy.
After tasting I was surprised. It wasn't as sweet as I expected, and I liked that. Also it didn't feel like 11% ABV.
Medium body with light carbonation. Easy to drink in spite of the high ABV.

Overall a very nice quad, I enjoyed it more then some of the bigger names.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 01:54:10 | More by Ciocanelu

RuudJH

Netherlands

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Quad, relatively new product from this brewery.
Colour brown, with beige head. Big head, a lot of carbonation in the clear(!) drink.
Smell of caramel, dark fruits, some floral components, some alcohol too.
Taste is full malty, sweet. Dark fruit, caramel, koriander.
Medium to full body. lingering taste. In many ways it reminds of Rochefort 10. It's just not as chewy and complex.
It's a good drinkable beer. the 11% is not a big problem. It's covered well enough.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 14:40:22 | More by RuudJH

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber to brown-ish in color with a tan head. In the aroma, sweet alcohol, nutty, and some dark fruit. In the taste, sweet nuttiness, alcohol, and a mixture of raisin and figs. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with and dry dark fruitiness, especially raisin in the aftertaste. Dry and nutty, with a nice presence of dark fruit.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 18:57:23 | More by OWSLEY069

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Brasserie Beck in DC. Poured into a tulip glass, rich and intense dark Belgian ale. It is brewed with a subtle blend of specialty malts, which give the ale an extremely dark color and a chewy, malty complex character. The quadruple combines a clean dryness with a warm full bodied mouth feel and essences of fruit. Overall a very nice Quad! Be warned this is some strong stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 23:25:36 | More by CuriousMonk

Gehrig

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at The Independent in Tampa, FL.

A thick finger of light tan froth tops a deep mahogany-ruby body. Nice lacing on the St. Bernardus glass. A touch of yeasty funk blends well with the fruity aromas, with cherry and raspberry most noticeable. The flavor is a fine mixture of sweet and tart, with a distinct maraschino cherry flavor tempered from cloying by chocolate and caramel malt flavors. I would like a bit bolder flavor from SH Quad, but I don't say that in a disappointed way. Rather, it is tasty and enjoyable, but I suppose I was hoping for a bit more, something more complicated.

Yet for what SH Quad does, it does well. It is smooth but effervescent enough. The flavor is fine with a nice sweet finish, and the high ABV (11%) is not obstreperous.

A good solid Quad, pricey at $9 but worthy.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2011 15:32:57 | More by Gehrig

martincm

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours up nice and pretty with that beautiful, soaring quadrupel head. Lacing stays true throughout the glass, almost like a foam wall.
This is definitely a sipper. Take a big swig and it looses drinkability points. When sipped slowly, the foam gets to build in your mouth (my favorite part of a quad) and all those malty flavors release.
I would really like to see one of these in a cellar for nearly a year.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 00:40:39 | More by martincm

deebo

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle with a best before end date notched Dec 13.

A-Pours a ton of loose tan foamy head that lingers. Lots of small CO2 bubbles present. Murky brown with dark red tints.

S-Remniscient of other quads except this one has a perfumy floral aroma-almost rose like. Otherwise sweet alcohol aroma. Brown sugar.

T-Rum raisin, sweet bread, overripe fruity yeast. End note of alcohol.

M-Vapory alcohol is noticeable, but the burn down the throat is subdued. Moderate/heavy carbonation zing. Dry finish.

D-Better than it should be with an 11% brew.

O-I love quads-this one is a large step below St. Bernardus and Westy versions, but still very enjoyable-makes a great nightcap. Will have to see how this one tastes after a few more years in the cellar. Have yet to taste 1 made in the US that stacks up well next to the Belgians.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 03:03:23 | More by deebo

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Brownish-burgundy color with a dense cap of off-white head; moderate retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of dark dried fruits and bready yeast. Taste of caramel malts, bready yeast, dark fruits: cherries, figs, plums, raisins, light hints of brown sugar and earthy hops. Alcohol warmth mellowed out a bit as the beer got closer to room temperature. Medium body, tasty and complex as any good beer from the style. Very nice overall.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 08:34:05 | More by Rifugium

DoubleJ

California

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I don't travel to Brazil to taste beers that I can taste in California, but because I had never tasted Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel and it was offered by Sergio, I was cool to end the night with half of the bottle. On to the beer:

Dark brown color with a velvety head and a good level of lacing. The nose is strong yet not too powerful. Many different aromas are found, including dates, sugar, grass, prunes, and fruit snacks.

Brown sugar is the first flavor to be recognized. Immediately after that, a rush of various fruit skins, dried fruit, apricot, and a dash of pepper create a complex personality in this quad. The body is nearly full, with the alcohol inserted favorably well. A fruity aftertaste lingers after the pepper sensation dies off.

The tripel was a good one, and now the quadrupel is a good one. That's two very respectable showing from Straffe Hendrik.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 05:02:37 | More by DoubleJ

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straffe Hendrik "Brugs Quadrupel Ale"
11.2 oz. bottle, best by 3rd week of Dec. 2013

Carefully poured to leave the lees behind, it's a deep chestnut brown with a ruby cast beneath a foamy head of tan. Held to the light orange-ruby highlights glisten. The head retention and lacing could be a little bit better.

The aroma displays spice, fruit, and sugar/caramel. It's peppery with some dark fruit skins, but also some juicier fruit as well. The alcohol is unfortunately readily evident.

In the mouth it bristles the tongue with a fine-bubbled, zesty carbonation before warming to become sugary.

The flavor is as the nose suggests but a little broader. It adds hints of cherry upfront, and vanilla in back, and there's much more spice. The spice character is quite interesting. Nothing stands out as particularly distinct, but I'm thinking green cardamom; star anise based on the licorice note that it has; and peppercorns, although I'm not sure how much the alcohol is contributing to that. It finishes dry, despite the sugary malt, due at least in part to the alcohol.

Overall it's an enjoyable beer. It's balanced but it could be more polished. The alcohol detracts. Definitely a sipper.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 23:35:43 | More by NeroFiddled

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle pour for the 4th Annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a clear brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, and some slight spice aromas. Taste is much the same with a mild spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:20:42 | More by UCLABrewN84

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle shared by Lunch, thanks! Never had it and I'm always interested in trying a new beer whenever possible.

Beer is brown and hazy with a nice head of tan bubbles, moderate retention, moderate carbonation, looks good.

Aroma is yeasty / bready with some great overtones of grain and sugar / caramel.

Beer is sweet and medium in body, nice finish, mildly bitter, a little roast in this one, I enjoyed this beer a lot and would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 17:54:43 | More by drabmuh

thierrynantes

France

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from La Cervoiserie, and tasted in 2013.

Appearance : dark red amber color, with tan foamy head ( nice lacing)
Smell : malt and caramel aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : dark fruit and spicy flavours, alcohol prresence, with dry fruity finish.
Drinkability : a nice beer in the style Quadrupel.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 18:06:27 | More by thierrynantes

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my new Hair of the Dog snifter... Thanks a ton Sammy... this is a super cool glass.

Deeeep red.... dark cherry juice with a shot lasting dark tan head ... but a nice cap remains for the entire glass.

Nose is rich and malty with significant dried cherry, plum and nice caramel and toast.

Flavor mirrors the nose with some subtle spiciness.

Medium bodied with a smooth everpresent carbonation.

Pretty nice for sure and not too bad at ~$10 for the 750.

3.5/4/4/4/4

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 04:19:59 | More by JohnGalt1

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straffe Hendrik quad has a deep mahogany colored body, brown with lots of ruby highlights. The tan head forms a solid cap and leaves minimal lacing, but it has great retention, sticking around for the entire drink.

The aroma has an array of dark fruits, some spice and a lot of malt.

Malt, spice, and dark fruit are balanced very well in this one. Cherries, dates, raisins and other generic dark fruits come from the yeast, and slowly give way to the malt. The malts are sweet but not cloying, and they make up the strongest flavor by a hair. The beer is balanced and dried out in A finish by a phenolic, peppery taste. No alcohol at all, but there is just a touch of warmth. This one is balanced so well that the transition between the flavors is seamless, and nothing sticks out as being overbearing.

The body is a little bit light and carbonation a little bit high, but the lack of alcohol presence makes this acceptable for me.

This is a big-ass Belgian that hides its ABV very well. Balance and integrated flavors are its strengths. Probably worth a try even for those who don't love Belgian styles.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2011 14:17:24 | More by Hojaminbag

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by jayhawk73. Thanks Jeff!

The beer appears a dark maple brown color with a thick, dense, light beige head. Excellent retention and ample lacing. Quads are just great looking beers.

The aroma brings dark fruits, particularly plums, figs, raisins. Yeast presence is there as well. The aroma is a bit weak for the style.

Sweet raisins with a hint of yeast. Lingering bitterness in the finish. Caramel malt and toffee.

Alcohol presence is very well disguised. A bit of warmth going down. Nice feel.

A good sipper. Not as complex as the Trappist examples of the style. Still, an enjoyable beer and worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 21:18:51 | More by Huhzubendah

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice and solid quad offering.

Presentation: 750 ml corked and caged brow bottle. Dark somber label with the image of a humanized half-moon in dark golden brown over black background. Back label notes main intent and characteristics alongside brewery background. Narrative offers cellaring and serving notes, as well as succinct wording on the characteristics of the brew. Shows bottling date 2010 on the cork, and 11% Alc. by Vol. Served in a snifter.

A - Dark brown pour with crimson edges, with a generous frothy head, medium retention, fair surface memory and some lacing.

S - Long malty nose, sweet notes of dark fruits, sugar, and a characteristic yeasty sense.

T - Taste follows with a nice sweet sense of malt, long fruity notes, plums raisins, hint of spices, unfermented sugar...

M - Medium body with ample but adequate carbonation, and a fairly smooth sense.

O - Pleasing quad, well rounded and matching a nice benchmark for the style.

Notes: Nice quad, reminds me quite a bit to the middle bracket and dexterity of Malheur´s 12, nice, and while not tremendous it is well worth the experience.
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Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 18:20:08 | More by Daniellobo