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

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

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

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.58/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a snifter glass.

Look - dark brown with about two and a half fingers of frothy light khaki-colored foam that dissipates quickly.

Smell - almost a wheat-like smell, but in theory shouldn't contain wheat or rye.

Taste and Mouthfeel - quite a bitter taste right from the off, but sweetened a little bit in the middle, but that level remains throughout the rest of the taste. A bit of an acrid, albeit not unpleasant, type of taste. The abv is definitely perceivable. And because of the abv, the mouthfeel is a bit stinging/warming. The texture is pretty smooth though.

Overall - a pretty interesting brew. If I have it again, I'm going to have to remember to serve it a little warmer than I did.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 03:05:48 | More by Nerudamann

beergoot

Colorado

4.23/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A nice brown body covered with a thick, sticky, brown head; Good lacing down the sides of the glass. Smell emits dates, currants, figs, molasses, brown sugar. Malt sugars and dark fruit tastes strongly bind with a deep yet relatively mild alcohol warmth. Some chocolate notes buried deep along with a soft bitterness. Medium bodied, juicy and clean.

A nicely made rich and complex beer. Liquid dark bread...

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 01:31:28 | More by beergoot

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

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

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

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: The initial pour is jet black with a dense, compact beige head. The appearance is misleading, however, as the beer proves itself to be garnet in hue when held up to the light. As can be expected of most quadruples, the lacing is great. Really, this is just a great looking beer.

S: The smell is a bit of a disappointment, proving to be simplistic for the style. My nose was greeted by a fiery alcohol scent, and after several attempts, I was just barely able to detect faint aromas of raisins, figs, and prunes.

T: The taste is complex and surprisingly lacking in any sort of alcohol burn, so don't expect there to be a tremendous amount of continuity between the sensations present on the nose and those present on the palate. Notes of raisins, figs, prunes, milk chocolate, woody spice, heavy cream, brandy, and maple syrup are easily detected. The finish is long, rich, and warming with a notable brandy and fruitcake character.

M: Full bodied, slick, and velvety with a prickle of carbonation. An alcohol burn is somewhat noticeable in the mouth, though as I noted in the section above, heavy alcohol flavors are thankfully absent. This ale becomes a bit sticky and syrupy on the finish. In my opinion, it needs a little more balance to be truly successful.

O: I had some difficulty rating this beer because it's so hit-or-miss for me. On the one hand, it looks great and tastes great, while on the other, its smell is not all that appealing and the mouthfeel is a little too boozy for my liking. In the end, this is a fairly solid quadruple, but it has the potential to be so much more.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 16:37:23 | More by mrfrancis

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

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

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

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

rootbeerman

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle allowed to warm to around 55°

A: not an amazing head but the body is very dark brown but is clear.
S: very malty and very sweet with dark caramel a dark fruits.
T: very sweet, fruity caramel malt, very long lasting sweetness with a small amount of alcohol warmth.
M: sticky and coating sweetness, low carbonation but wasn't really expecting much.
O: hard to find, I've had this on tap, and now bottle and I believe I'll get it every time I see it.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 04:06:46 | More by rootbeerman

Douberd

Netherlands

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brown bottle of 330 ml. ABV is 11%. Refermented in the bottle. Poured in a tulip glass.

Colour i very dark brown. Huge head of somrthing more than 3 fingers, with creamy texture, beige in colour and excellent retention.Quite a lace left behind.
Light caramel on the aroma, some roasted malts, fruits and alcohol.
Great taste, roasted malts and coffee, with a long slighty bitter finish. Alcohol so very well hidden.
A full body and average carbonation.
Overall a great quad.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 20:09:06 | More by Douberd

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

3.43/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz poured into a snifter

A: Pours a very dark amber/brown, almost to the point of being black, with three fingers of head on a very careful pour.

S: A surprising amount of caramel and toffee for a Quad, I get some plums behind it, but not as much dark fruits as I'm used to for the style. I get a bit of grapefruit and nutmeg to balance the sweetness.

T: Toffee and caramel are quite strong in the flavor as well. I get even less dark fruits than I got in the aroma. A bit peppery, but not much for esters.

M: Medium thickness with strong carbonation.

O: Nice tasting, though a bit boring for the style. Not much in the ester category.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:33:14 | More by coreyfmcdonald

BeerNemesis

New York

3.85/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel | 750 ml. | 11.0% ABV | 2010 vintage

Brewer: Brouwerij Straffe Hendrik / De Halve Maan
Style: Quadrupel (Quad)
Glass: Ommegang chalice

Apparently Brouwerij Straffe Hendrik was founded in 1564 and has been run by the same family since 1856. It is the oldest continuously operating brewery in Bruges.

Appearance:
Rich, coffee-brown body with a nice ring of sandy foam.

Aroma:
Chocolate, coffee, dark fruits. The usual.

Taste:
Toasted dark malts, dabs of coffee, and sprinklings of cocoa powder. It's heavy and somber, but very tasty. I get plums and raisins as it warms.

Mouthfeel:
Too much carbonation, but otherwise a silky-smooth, thick brew.

Harmony:
I like how Staffe Hendrik Quadrupel is less focused on the plums, cherries, raisins, and other dark fruit and more about bringing out roasted, toasted malts. While I like sweet and fruity quads, this was a welcome diversion from the norm.

Would I get it again?:
Yes. The fantastic bottle art on the the 750 ml. bottle (matte black label, moon with a face) is a plus.

Bottled: 2010
Served: July 7, 2011

Price = $10.99 at Whole Foods NYC

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 23:15:19 | More by BeerNemesis

beerpirates

Belgium

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

33cl bottle at DELICE & CAPRICES , Brussels

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.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 18:19:40 | More by beerpirates

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

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

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

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

DaveBlack

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Rich mahogany color, maybe a 1/2 finger of white head that has almost no retention.

S: There isn't much of a smell on this beer at all, but what there is is good. Smells sweet and malty with dark fruit, chocolate and a slight touch of yeast.

T: Wow. Big flavor considering the faintness of the aroma. Starts very light and floral, with a taste akin to rose, then a hefty hit of the alcoholic phenols give way into deep, rich malty, chocolaty flavors. There's a lot going on in the flavor of this beer and all of it good.

M: Fairly heavy body with a lot of carbonation. A little bit slick at first, but leaves the mouth feeling a little bit sticky.

O: Not the best quad that I've had, but it is quite drinkable. The faintness of the alcohol makes this a potentially dangerous beer. I wish there was more on the aroma, but the flavor more than makes up for it.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 23:09:25 | More by DaveBlack

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

RuckusDu

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I was excited for this beer after visiting the town of Bruges yet not getting to the brewery. 2011 Vintage

A - Looks good with a very deep and dark reddish body. The head came across nicely at 2 fingers. Falls to about 1 mm in a wonderful cappuccino color.

S - The highlight of this beer. Dark fruits - bing cherries, prunes, and red grapes that all have some sweetness. There is also a hint of alcohol.

T - Gets better as I go and continue tasting. It immediately hits the top back of your throat with raisins and those red grapes. I pick up some allspice and cloves.

M - The carbonation starts strong but quickly falls off. For me, quads should be more consistent with low to medium carb to start and remain there. Because this falls off, you want something thicker.

O - It is growing on me. Some good quad aroma and flavors. Nothing that really stands out, but overall this is well done.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 04:08:40 | More by RuckusDu

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