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

wvsabbath

West Virginia

3.48/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type - 22oz bottle

Appearance - Dark tan, brown, not much head, or lacing. Kinda bland looking.

Smell - Dark fruits, some malt, chocolate and spices, not alot of smell.

Taste - Very dark roasted malt flavor. Not as many flavors and spices as most quads ive had. A little pepper and chocolate notes in the aftertaste. I get some licorice and dark fruits like plum and rasin. Very surprized how different this quad is compaired to standard quads.

Mouthfeel - Medium thickness and rather light on palette. No way id guess this was 11% or even a quad. Aftertaste is weak and not long lasting at all.

Overall - This is solid, but not a top of the list quad. It almost comes closer to a strong ale then a quad. The dark fruits, roasted malts, it would be hard to guess this as a quad. Pretty good but there are a few other quads that smoke this beer. If you are looking for a different twist on the style, this would be a nice sample.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 07:40:58 | More by wvsabbath

AmericanGothic

Iowa

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a Unibroue tulip.

A: Pours a dark, translucent copper brown with two fingers of billowy, pale tan head. Strong retention and lace.

S: Good yeasty malt aromas, a little chocolate and some dark fruits.

T: Pepper and cinnamon up front, transitioning to some dark fruits in the middle and ending with a little spice. Some chocolate notes and also some vinous flavors enter as the beer warms. The flavor is pretty dry overall, almost a stout quality. Towards the end of the glass, some subtle bubblegum joins in.

M: Medium-heavy mouthfeel with considerable creaminess that keeps it buoyant and a lot of smoothness as well.

O: A pretty good beer. Not my favorite example of the style, mostly held back by the dryness of the flavor. But, really not bad, definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 03:04:49 | More by AmericanGothic

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

adamette

Ohio

2.65/5  rDev -35%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Live review. Poured from the corked and caged 1 pint, 9.4 oz bottle that I bought at World Wines & Liquor in Mentor a few weeks ago into my Brewery Ommegang gold rimmed Westvleteren style goblet. I do not recall the price. Sorry about that! I do not see any indication of the “best by” date or even the “bottled on” date but I am not sure that it matters. Update: After I removed the cork I found that the cork had the following printed on it: 2.010 I am going to guess that it is the bottling “year” so with the 11% ABV I am absolutely fine here.

A Medium brown head over a dark brown body that glows a deep mahogany in front of direct light. I like the look of this quad. 4.5

S Dark roast malt without a great amount of sweetness in the smell. It is a rather distant smell. This should be interesting… 3.5

T The dark roast malt is there as well as the typical “De Halve Mann” grainy malt nature along with the stgrong Belgian yeast notes. As suggested by the smell this is a rather distant taste. It took repeated sips to determine my tasting notes due to the distance of the taste. There is certainly an earthy, grainy, organic sense to the taste of this beer. Some may appreciate that but I do not. 2.5

M As suggested by the notes on the taste, the feel is too dry. I enjoy quads with a nice syrupy thickness to them. 2.0

D/O Actually less than fair since the ABV is 11% and the taste and feel leave me wanting more. 2.0

Notes: It kills me to record this rather low rating to a beer from one of my sentimental favorite breweries, De Halve Mann. I visited there June 2009 and thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the beers that I had sampled that day. I would recommend touring there anytime. I happen to think that their barley malt is too grainly and their yeast profile is too strong. This beer certainly did nothing to change that opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 04:08:16 | More by adamette

SFLpunk

Vermont

4.22/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz brown glass pry-top bottle. Label notched L:C, D, 13. Purchased at Winooski Beverage Warehouse.

Pours a deep, dark brown with frothy khaki head, looking like a traditional Quad. Nose is very bready and yeasty. Smells like freshly baked baguettes and caramels. Palate is structured and firm, a little booze slips through as heat. Not overly sweet, but flavors of milk chocolate and caramel dominate. Doesn't have the "classic" Quad fruitiness.

I rather like this brew as it's quite unique. If you're expecting the big dark fruit and leather thing that you get from Gouden Carolus or La Trappe's dark brews, you will be surprised. Gets big points for a unique interpretation of the "Quad."

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 04:40:52 | More by SFLpunk

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

illidurit

California

3.8/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared at the May Santa Cruz tasting. Pours a dark cola color with a poofy tan head. Aromas of yeasty brown bread, candi sugar, vanilla, alcohol. Flavors of dark and red fruits with coriander, fruitcake, raisin, vanilla, licorice, and booze. A bit too hot and perfumey on the palate at 11 percent.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 22:21:28 | More by illidurit

daledeee

Iowa

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A rather hard to find one at John's in Iowa City.

Pours an uncontrollable light tan head that leaves nice lacing. A pretty dark brown body but it can be seen through.

Nose has cherries at first, but afterwards has a dark fruit and alcohol smell.

Taste is dark cherries and earth.

Mouth feel has nice carbonation with not really heavy mouth feel for a strong one.

Overall this is a tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 00:27:32 | More by daledeee

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

this beer pours dark brown/black, looks like purple along the edge. Somewhat dense foamy head, off-white

Aroma is sweet. Baked caramel and sweet bread. Fruity a bit like red plum and Gala apple.

Not quite the flavors I was expecting. Very sweet, but I didn't get the soft banana or orchard fruits. More plum, dark cherry, Jolly Rancher-purple. Overripe apple on the end though. Boozy

Sweetness hampers this beer a bit. Finished a bit twangy and sugary. Booze thins it out. Character is a puzzle

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 21:17:18 | More by Mebuzzard

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

2.68/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle from Beer Planet in Brussels. Split with a friend. From notes.

A - Poured a really dark, hazy brown. Some slight carbonation came up with a nice creamy one finger beige head. Good finger of retention but not much lacing.

S - Lo's of yeast, some sort of woody character, and fruit. Not entirely what I look for in a Quad. Lacks that rich dark fruit note.

T - Significant dark fruit improves up on the aroma quite a bit. Lot's of yeast. Sugar. Really yeasty and quite a fair bit of spice.

M - Strong carbonation and a medium body. Yeasty and spicy lingering notes. Body seems thin.

O/D - Not a big fan. An OK Quad but not what I look for. Too much spice and yeast and I could never have a full bottle of this.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2011 14:47:29 | More by tbeckett

ktrillionaire

Florida

2.95/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A - It pours a cola-brown, capped with a big khaki head.

S - The nose seems quite nice - but also quite different than most Quad/BSDA. There is a sort of woody-medicinal sharpness that seems like brettanomyces, but I don't think it actually is. Pale and pils malt seem evident, as does candi sugar and aged hops. Fruity notes of apple, pear, apricot, plum and banana are present, but not in the way one would generally expect.

T - The taste is not quite there; I wasn't sure how this was going to go down, given the unusual specificities of the aroma, but it is a letdown overall. The alcohol is way too strong here; its as if someone poured vodka into a Grimbergen or Corsendonk brown. As for the nuances, there is some medium and dark fruity notes (not enough), and a lot of pale malt minerality. This would make for a decent Tripel/BSPA, save for the color; as a Quad or BSDA, it is lacking the richness, complexity and decadence necessary.

M - Bad. Champagne-esque carbonation; prickly and somewhat thin.

O - As referenced earlier, this beer tastes, smells and feels like a Tripel. Way off the mark for the style, and not great regardless of style consideration.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 13:04:05 | More by ktrillionaire

Patrickbrusil

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served out of a bottle.

The appearance is spot on what one would expect with a nice frothy and foamy head that took a while to relax.

I'm having it colder than I should but here we go:

Smell is bready with almost an oat characteristic. Very nice lace is forming that clings to the glass like a dress.

The taste is slightly booze oriented for my liking. Lots of carbonation - border line too much for my liking. Champagne esque carbonation that is aggressive throughout giving a tingly mouthfeel.

As it warms the malty characteristics shine through more. Dark plum flavor and smell is developing. Almost like a plum/fig spread on top of a thick slice of multigrain bread.

Not my favorite Belgian quad but a nice break from the rochefort and saint bernardus I so thoroughly enjoy. The lace is truly spectacular on this guy.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 01:02:53 | More by Patrickbrusil

Brabander

Netherlands

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I bought this new Quad at Dranken Geers in Gent when i was there two weeks ago. The woman behind the counter advised me to try this one out.

I must say that this is a good quad, not the best there is, Westy 12, Pannepot, Amatus and Rochefort 10 are (much) better but hey, with those beers we talk about worldbest beers.

Poured the beer i my small Wesyvleteren tasting glass. The beer looks absolutely great. A very darkbrown/deepdarkred fluid with a very decent two finger lightbrown head which stays for quit a while. The is lots of carbonation going on in the glass.

The sweet smell of candisugar comes in the nose.

Taste is good but the carbonation is a bit too much in the mouth (and i like carbination!) it feels like a small carbonationexplosion in the mouth.

The alcolhol is well hidden and overall i have to say that this one is a very drinkable quad. I would like to see how this beer is when you age it a few years, it can only get better.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 10:55:39 | More by Brabander

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

CZs

Maryland

3.81/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Poured into a typical tall Belgian chalice. Dark brown with ruby-red hues when held to the light.

Smell: Sweet candy, hint of dark fruit.

Taste: 40F - Usual dark fruits, dark candi sugar. 50F+ - Sweet chocolate in addition to flavors already mentioned. Very malt forward in my opinion - sweeter side of Quad and/or BDSs.

Mouthfeel: Medium-high carbonation, thicker, heavier body than I was expecting but it works. I don't get toasty or caramel flavors some are noting.

Overall: If you are going to discuss what might be perceived differences between a Quad and a BDS - this might be the one to point to. If someone is new to darker brews, you might offer them this as a small aperitif or digestif and when discussing the spectrum of Quads and/or BDS and any potential differences. A solid offering I would come back to. I enjoy drier, slightly warming booze characteristics mixed in with a hint of Caramunich - the only reason it didn't get a 4/5 or higher from me - but, that is my personal preference.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2013 15:02:27 | More by CZs

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

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

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

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a nice belgian quad, pretty standard in all respects, but the standard is mighty high, this is a quality beer. pours ar red color with a touch of orange in the light. small white fizzy head. smells like molasses, sour cherries, and belgian yeast. flavor is plenty of caramel malts and belgian candy sugar, even some raw cane sugar, but this is well proportioned, not rot your teeth style. mouthfeel is nice too, plenty of bright carbonation at first, mellowing as it warms and letting the strength of the beer come though. great finish. you could make a night of drinking these if they werent so expensive. glad to see it on tap at the Cheeky Monk downtown denver

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2012 18:27:48 | More by StonedTrippin

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

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

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

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

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