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

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

17th Oct 2012 Brugge: after draught De Garre and Gulden Draak my wife dragged me out of De Garre and into the Red Rose, here I choose a 33cl bottle of this.

Coming in the bottle. the correct glass was offered to me to pour my beer into; I did.

This is a dark, brooding brew: with a creamy head in both colour and texture.

The nose is all about malty molasses: so strong and sweet nothing else got a look in. Luckily the taste wasn't as sweet as the aromas suggested. The malts were certainly the dominant flavour but there is a hop bitterness stopping the beer becoming a malt smoothy and the alcohol doesn't hide away: it is very prominent once the beer has touched your lips.

Looked great and in such a fine bar it is difficult not to score it highly: but I'm being objective and truthful in my numbers, it deserves the scores it's getting from me.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 12:11:04 | More by BlackHaddock

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle notched Best Before December of 2013. Poured carefully into a Rochefort chalice.

Looks a luxurious color of plum-brown with meager translucency. Rich velvety head looks dense and soupy with lots of tight bubbles. Foamy and ecru in color. A wonderful appearance.

Plum, candi sugar, yeast nuttiness, red grape, pumpernickel toast, phenols, rosewater alcohol, dried fig, and Belgian chocolate. A prestigious nose, even for a quad.

Prune, nuttiness, candi sugar, spicy booze, brown bread, raisin, Belgian chocolate, grape, and bittersweet maltiness. The alcohol is a lot more pertinent in the mouth, but Straffe Hendrik still has massive complexity. The front-to-middle has a lot of creamy chocolate, malt, and fruit notes before the tune of 11% ABV speaks up. Herbaceousness shows up, too. Finish is drier, spicy, boozy, a bit earthy, and super-long and dragged-out.

About as creamy as you get, body-wise. Crackle of soft carbonation works well. Alcohol is quite warming. Spicy, too, in the mouth.

This is still very well done. A beer I will buy again, and I'm not sure why I waited this long to finally try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 03:32:12 | More by thecheapies

arizcards

Arizona

4.26/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Picked up a single at AJ's Glendale in late February for $3.99.

Beer poured brown with a nice tan head that has stayed quite well.

Nose is sweet, with dark fruits, and spices.

Taste is figs, candied sugar, kind of boozy, with a peppery almost coriander like finish.

Mouthfeel is near perfection, classic belgian yeast strain smoothness.

Overall this is close if not a world class quad. Lots of complexities in the flavor as well as a classic look and feel.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:14:27 | More by arizcards

AZbelgian

Arizona

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this both on tap at the brewery in Brugge and by bottle here in the US.

A - Dark brown almost black at first glance (actually dark ruby red), large tan head with large bubbles and amazing retention.

S - Smell of dark fruit, yeast and a hint of alcohol.

T - Smooth flavors of caramel, rich malts lend to a nice flavor of brown bread. There are also notes of alcohol and a hint of dark fruit which lingers nicely on the palette.

M - Medium mouthfeel, surprisingly light for a quad

O - Great drinkability. An excellent quadrupel. Flavors work well in concert with each other to form a beer that's not overly heavy and quite delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2012 20:53:40 | More by AZbelgian

jozols1

New York

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Roasted chestnut brown with a dark cherry hue. Nice head. Not much lacing.
Smell: Umm.. Divine. Like standing outside a Belgian abbey after a rainstorm. (Not that I've actually done that, outside of my dreams.)
Mouthfeel: Some effervescence. It's light on your tongue, but the taste lingers.
Taste: I tasted molasses, raisins, even some cherry (but not maraschino cherry). Definitely malty, of course. But it's well-balanced, not overpowering. Has a musty earthiness to it.
Overall:
This is a serious beer that can hold its own against almost anything you'd think to pair it with -- from pizza to prime rib. But, honestly, it's so good, I stopped eating the second I sipped it.
It's the kind of beer that makes you want to stop all other activities and think about it. So why distract yourself with food?
I've had a lot of Belgian beers and this is definitely one of the most interesting. For a quadrupel, it's surprisingly easy to drink. But you'll want to take your time, if for no other reason than the fact that it's 11% ABV.


.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 00:12:51 | More by jozols1

Greywulfken

New York

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: side-poured into a stout flute glass - deep slightly translucent dark brown beer with a bubbly tan head 3 fingers-thick; draped modest lace down the glass, filmy lid persisted

S: deep dark fruity malts and subtle spices reminiscent of winter holidays

T: bitter treacle/molasses and dark, dark fruit like black plums or figs - very compelling flavor profile - almost like, dank and dark fruits and spices with burnt bittersweet sugar

M: very nice on the tongue - medium weight, slightest bit of tack, slightlest bit of tingle, and even the slightest bit of chalk

O: saw the middling reviews before I had this, and I imagine there is some issue with this beer not quite tasting like too many of the big name quads, but it is a very pleasing and distinct-tasting beer - I would easily recommend this for quad and BSDA fans. It might not blow you away for the style, but taken as a singular beer, a worthy drink indeed.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 02:52:05 | More by Greywulfken

impending

California

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

La Trappe. Black mahogany, minor edge transparency, served with little dense head, minor lacing.

Aroma of the classic quad, full, thick and rich. Dense, complicated, rewarding, vinous.

Taste follows the nose and delivers a quality traditional quad, full, thick and rich. Well restrained alcohol, no burn but some would be welcome. Minor grape bubblegum appears in the pleasantly fading aftertaste. Medium to full bodied smooth mouthfeel.
cheers
jd

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2011 04:28:15 | More by impending

sprucetip

Alaska

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Best before December 2013. Good looking brew. Brown like black tea, but with ruby highlights in normal light. Backlit, it is mahogany/ruby in color, with excellent clarity. it is highly carbonated and a gentle pour fills the tulip about 50/50 liquid and foam. The head is creamy and thick on top, but big bubbles cling to the side. It recedes gradually and leaves thick patches of lace and foam on the edges.

Wow, I can smell from afar. When I finally stick my nose into the glass I am greeted by rich dark fruity notes, yeasty spiciness, and gentle boozy warming helping to open my sinuses. After a few minutes I detect some caramel and malty sweetness underneath all of the dark fruit. This is a really nice smelling brew, even if it isn't the most complex I've ever met. ... Unlike many brews that seem to open up during the sample, this one is putting out less and less as the glass drains.

The taste follows the nose. Yeasty dark fruit and spice define it, but there is also a mellow bitterness evident right from the first sip. The rich caramel malty sweetness is far more evident in the flavor than in the nose, and provides good balance and contrast with the spicy/fruity yeasty character. The bitterness, from modest hopping I assume, is spot on and really helps balance and adds depth. Very tasty.

Carbonation is strong, body is full and rich, and a whisper of dryness in the mildly bitter finish.

This is a really well done Quad, that I believe would hold it's own with some of the best. I think it's better than the Westy 12 my buddy shared with me the other day.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 02:58:25 | More by sprucetip

endovelico

Portugal

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Bull's blood color with a thin pellicle of foam, some retention around the rim, some lacing and unperceived effervescence.

Aroma: Medium to medium high in intensity. Dark candy sugar, prune and milky at the front with some nice cocoa notes and alcohol warmth on the back.

Taste: Medium high in intensity. Dark fruit, candy sugar, orange peel, spices and caramel.

Palate: Medium to medium full bodied. ABV well veiled. Low carbonation. Finishes sweetish with a lingering caramel / candy sugar aftertaste. PERFECT!

Overall: A great showcase of what a Quad can be. Could use some adjustments in the taste department but it's still an elite status Quad.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 20:42:35 | More by endovelico

brugge2004

New York

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured out a good frothy head that disapated slowly leaving moderate lacing. the aroma of roasted malts and dark fruit dominate the nose.Peronally I like this one altough my preference leans toward strong blonds and tripels but this could change my mind on that. alcohol well hidden not overly sweet high carbonation definitely worth a try ,I bought a second bottle after to cellar .

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 13:33:41 | More by brugge2004

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- black label quad. Amazingly retentive tan head on this. It won't move. this can't be real. beautiful murky brownish burgundy colored body. 10 minutes and the foam still has barely moved. I'm blown away. I'm sure it will once I put my greasy face on it though.

S- sweet tart and fruity with Pinot noir, lambrusco and Shiraz qualities. Blackberry, cherry, grape, date, fig, prune, raisin, Caramel, toffee, sandalwood, vanilla, pear and melon. A bit woodsy also with mineral water and spice.

T- heavy port flavor followed by a pleasant hoppy bitterness, more than most quads, With sweet and sour fruits, pomace, woodsy earthy soil tree bark damp log forest! Raisin, date, fig, and prune mainly, with just a little bit of citron edge. Burnt caramel sweetness in a fermented kinda way, bittersweet chocolate and a touch of coffee. Finishes nicely balanced with clean mineral water flavor and lingering bitterness. Well concealed alcohol.

MF- the foam is still goin strong and it literally feels like the foam on a cappuccino. This is insane. Full, juicy body with well mannered carbonation. Dry enough and a little sticky.

D- this is a damn fine quad, with more hops and roasted flavor than others of the same quality. I'll still sweat that rochefort and la trappe but this one is a banger.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 02:49:23 | More by hustlesworth

oberon

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into my Ommegang chalice a deep roasted chesnut brown with a sticky one finger beige head atop that left a broken ring of lace as it settled slowly.A slight sherry vinegar note is something that caught my attention with dark brown sugar and dark fruit in there as well,the vinegar element is something I have never come across in a quad.Deep brown sugar and toffee flavors with sweet alcohol,it's cakey and rich with a slightly acidic finish.Full lush feel in the mouth,this is somewhat different than alot of quads and I really liked it,it's a bit raw in some aspects.Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 22:19:37 | More by oberon

brentk56

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours with the massive head one would expect from a Belgian; underneath is a very dark, coffee-colored liquid; great retention and plenty of lacing

Smell: Dried dark fruit (prune, raisin and cherry) with spice cake and mineral aromatics and a hint of chocolate

Taste: Dried dark fruit and spice cake flavors, up front, with a peppery zest building in the middle; a touch of molasses adds additional sweetness, after the swallow, along with a hint of chocolate that appears in the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with the airy carbonation I find in the best of the Belgians; surprisingly little heat for an 11% ABV beer

Overall: Very impressed by this well-balanced quad that is filled with both complexity and restraint

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 23:38:44 | More by brentk56

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

75 cl

Pours a deep ruddy brown with a tan head about 4 inches thick. Dissipates very slowly. Retains as a thin film.

Smells of rich caramel, mild fig sweetness, some cinnamon like spice, a hint of alcohol and a just a bit of hop flavor.

Tastes richly spiced, with a hint of hop bitterness, followed by caramel and brown sugar malts and some distinctly Belgian yeasty notes.

Mouth is thick with lots of fluffy carbonation.

Delicious and tasty, quite a treat. The strength makes it a sipper. The mild hint of hops is a bit different than other less hop focused quads I've had, which gives it a unique characteristic. I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 17:02:56 | More by Cylinsier

bagpiper2005

Idaho

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pour: Clear, dark ruby red to mahogany body. Thick, frothy three fingered tan head that recedes very slowly and leaves thick rings of lacing behind all the way down. Total eye candy.

Smell: Tart and sweet with a combination of sour and dark fruity tones, lots of caramel malty goodness, a touch of molasses, and a touch of alcohol astringency.

Taste: Rich and full flavored. Lots of caramel, and brown sugar sweetness with a touch of sour cherry and the ever slightest hint of vanilla. Chocolatey middle with hints of raisin and dried plum. Dry, tart finish with a moderate level of bitterness and a hint of mocha. Slightly alcoholic and warming.

Mouthfeel: Medium to thick body with high carbonation. Slightly creamy and ultra-smooth.

Drinkability/Overall: Very easy drinking, with lots of good flavor leaving you yearning for the next sip. You could easily put away a couple of these big bottles, though you wouldn't like the results next morning, as it is 11%!

Final Notes: One hell of a beer. This is one to sip on in front of a fireplace in the cold weather to warm up. Would also make a great after-dinner beer or beer to pair with dessert. It is a touch dangerous at 11% though, so treat it with respect!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 00:33:22 | More by bagpiper2005

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark brown color, w/ a massive three finger cocoa head. Head sticks around for about 10 minutes without moving. Excellent lacing on my snifter glass. Some dark crimson highlights when held up to the light. The nose is really fantastic- raisin, apple, fig, plum, malt, yeast. Really smooth and blended extremely well. No hint of the 11% ABV. Taste is equally as impressive, with toffee, caramel, and a touch of alcohol burn on the aftertaste. Feel is medium for the style, and super smooth. There is a crisp carbonated aftertaste as well. I really liked this beer. Let's hope the 11% ABV kills my cold. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 03:38:20 | More by jayhawk73

Louski

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had in Nancy. France at a local pub.

Poured from the bottle a deep, dark brown with a fingers worth of dense white head.
Smelled immediately of roasted malt, prune, caramel.
Sweet taste, almost wine-like followed by a smooth, chocolately, coating of the mouth finish. Almost like honey.
Mouthfeel was retained throughout drinking and is still with now after leaving the pub nearly half an hour ago.
Overall and excellent Quad. Took me to a sweet, caramel-like place that I very much enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 20:30:19 | More by Louski

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving type: 330 ml bottle. There are notches on the side of the label for a “Best before end” date, which looks to be February 2015.

Appearance: Served in a tulip. The color is dark brown with ruby tones. Three fingers of dense, lightly tanned head dissipated very slowly and unevenly, leaving trails of foam along the glass.

Smell: Dark fruits and berries. Raisin, cherry, fig, plum, and maybe a little blackberry and raspberry. On the sweeter side, there is a hint of apple. It also has malty notes of caramel, molasses, and dark chocolate. There is a little, tiny hint of booze, which may just be a figment of my imagination.

Taste: The mouthfeel is very thick and creamy. The booze is much more noticeable — it is reminiscent of brandy — and it features a slightly singed or burnt edge. That fades on subsequent sips and the dark fruits and malts shine through. Raisin, plum, fig, cherry, dark berries, and a little apple; caramel, molasses, toasted malts, and a little cocoa.

Drinkability: This is well crafted stuff. The ABV is much too high for quaffing, but it is very good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 04:58:53 | More by TheQuietMan22

superspak

Michigan

4.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into chalice, no bottle dating. Pours fairly crystal clear very dark reddish brown color with a nice 2 finger dense and fluffy khaki head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice thick soapy lacing clings on the glass, with plenty of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big raisin, prune, apple, caramel, toast, toffee, molasses, pepper, light clove, cocoa, light roast, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great complexity and balance of malt and fruity/spicy ester notes. Taste of raisin, prune, apple, molasses, caramel, toast, toffee, cocoa, pepper, light clove, light roast, and yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of dark fruit, molasses, caramel, toast, toffee, cocoa, light roast, pepper, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible flavor balance and complexity of dark malt and fruity/spicy yeast esters; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and lightly prickly mouthfeel that is fantastic. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an absolutely incredible Quadrupel! Incredible balance and complexity of flavors; and very smooth to sip on. A totally world class offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 03:41:19 | More by superspak

Blindpigbiz

California

4.49/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Smell: sweet orange zest with sugary notes and molasses inside of oak barrels

Taste: intense brown sugar/ molasses, sweet cream, orange zest and a somewhat sweet scotch-like taste throughout the entirety of this drink

This beer is highly recommended for those who are trying to explore the quadruple world of beer and, more specifically, people who want to venture into Belgium.

Pairings: extra sharp cheddar, hamburgers, tri-tip, and smoked fish are very good with this beer; don't forget the black grapes

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 22:12:47 | More by Blindpigbiz

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sold at around 11 dollars at the Giant Eagle Market District in Robinson. I love the De Halve Maan Brewery logo, big bottle 750 ml or 25.4 oz here. Pours a Deep russet, nearly opaque ruby tinted cola brown body...the head layers with a deep khaki tan head fomring large bands of Belgian style lacing with each sip. Aroma has a hint of cherry with apple/figs and other dark ripend fruits let's throw in raisins as well. Hint of alcohol tickles the nares with a heavily malt laiden mild dark roasted edge to it. Each sniff you take, you get more of a vinous character that really builds the backbone of the experience that this quadruple ale offers. Flavor wise this beer is drinking nicely, I'm excited to try other Straffe Hendrik offerings based on this big bodied Belgian beauty. Toasted dark malts brings on some mild bitterness but layers of complex malt also bring on layered fruit between dark plum tartness, deep sweetness of plump raisins burst, with an accent of tannins found in your favorite tea or big bodied red wine. More sweeetness than I can typically handle in a big bodied ale like this but I'm a sucker for well balanced big ass Belgian bier. Mouthfeel is still considered a bit effervescent even with loads of malts it doesn't seem the least bit cloying on my palate. Which is an amazing feat that true Belgian ales always seem to pull off with ease, it's hard to believe this is 11 percent abv, probably more hidden booze than any big American craft brewer will offer excecute. An artform the label states this is Bruges last standing brasserie or at least one of them. Mouthfeel is full bodied but carried so well with some lively carbonation it's pretty amazing. Overall exomplexity and flavor combined this is one of the better quads I've had in some time, a different style than my normal beer consumption is really a welcomed addition and revisit to beers I've tried in the past but either haven't had access to or just haven't desired since I've pretty much devoted myself to craft beer (typically hoppier offerings).

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 14:53:32 | More by WVbeergeek

pkalix

California

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

wow. the 11% alcohol is well hidden unless the beer warms. dark, rich dark-fruit flavors on the tongue and nose. opaque brown pour with half inch foam which diminished quickly. foams sticks to the side of the glass which isnt being sipped from. is this what they call caramel malts? i'll check their website but i'd be very interested in the other beers from this brewery. great statrter brew for the evening.... also, had this on tap at THEGLOBE in garden grove, ca. and wondering if i should be there drinking this instead of at home in front of my computer . . . .

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 23:41:02 | More by pkalix

XxNitExX

Nebraska

4.56/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Deep brown with red highlights and a nice off white head that doesn't linger forever, but sticks for awhile.

S- Nice Alcohol smell and strong estery highlights.

T- Delicious "dark" sugar taste, not sweet like a lot of quads. Little coffee taste, fairly dry.

M- Smooth and dry. Not overly carbonated.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 03:18:09 | More by XxNitExX

TastyAdventure

Kentucky

4.58/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A - poured into an oversized wine glass. Motor Oil black. A frothy, cream colored 2 finger head. Head eventually dwindles down to a half centimetre where it remains.

S - Malt, mild dark fruit? Some toasted pie crust. and yeast. I would rate smell higher if it was stronger.

T - almost like a sweet marinade. Strong Spice. tastes of "dark bread" if you can imagine. The head brings a refreshing creaminess to the taste. Short alcohol bite right before the end. more malt on the finish. Overall a dark taste.

M - Great carbonation that continues to sizzle in the mouth that keeps the heavy taste from being overwhelmingly think. Slick and sugary. Leaves sugary coating in the back of the throat like when you eat skittles.

Overall - One of the best I've had. Complex, just the one almost got me drunk. 11%. there's a good reason this 11.2 oz cost $6.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 01:54:59 | More by TastyAdventure

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.65/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Memorable beer! Pours a nice cola brown with thick bubbles and lacey-creamy head that lasts for the entire duration of the pint. Nose is rich with musty, attic & cave aromas with dark cherry and an estery/yeasty element . Enormous carbonation and therefore tingling pleasant mouthfeel that hosts a range of flavors from cherry to black tea to raisinbread. Finish has some of that musty quality and more raisins.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 03:08:44 | More by yemenmocha