't Gaverhopke Extra - Brouwerij 't Gaverhopke

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This is an outstanding beer. Who knew it was 12%? So easy going down. I could drink a hundred of these. The sour flavors, while clear, are still pretty subtle compared to other typical Belgian strong flavors: malts, fruits, etc. This is so well done, smooth, almost aged in flavor. I don't find it as "unsual" as others. Just a superb, well-made, strong, yet easily drinkable, complex beer. A triumph. (I sound like a movie critic.)

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 23:53:13 | More by Beer-A-Lot

cjoc83

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Purchased at the Flying Pig in Malvern, PA. Pours a murky brown color with a good bit of yeast sediment floating around in it. The off-white 'head' could barely form into a cap before fizzling out quickly.

Sweet, tart cherries and currants jump out first in the nose, with some more typical quad characteristics following behind; sugar plum, rum-soaked raisin, brown sugar and dark, biscuity malt. A little booze.

Was advertised on the Flying Pig bottle list as a "sour quad" (even though it's listed as a bsda here), and this definitely delivers on the tartness! Tart, acidic cherries and plums with a slight vinegar note give way to pumpernickel bread, raisin, brown sugar, and biscuity, bready dark malts. Pretty great stuff!

Fairly high carbonation for a quad, but still maintains a medium-bodied mouthfeel. Very drinkable despite the high ABV. Dry finish with some alcohol warmth that's pretty mild for a 12% quad.

I love sours. I love quads. This combines the best of both. I wish this was more readily available!

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 02:01:19 | More by cjoc83

MaineBrewing

Maine

4.34/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - beautiful amber with chunks of suspended yeast. Big bubbles in the one finger quick to dissipate off white head. Apparently well carbonated.

S - dark candied fruits, raisens, wet tarp, alcohol is apparent as a soapy characteristic. Ver sweet with a nice malt presence.

T - nice sweet malt forward taste, alcohol well hidden for 12%. Hints of raisin, prune/plum, slight must with a twinge of sour a nice nice pepper-ness in the finish.

M - high carbonation and light body for such high gravity, almost a little too light and watery of a mouthfeel.

O - I can't tell this is 12%, it also is a little lacking in flavor intensity and complexity. Or maybe that is a good thing and this is just a big easy drinking beer. Either way this is good and for the price i would go for it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 00:13:45 | More by MaineBrewing

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

2.5/5  rDev -36.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

33cl bottle @ the Diester Bierfestival on 20 Oct 2012, labelled as 'Den Twaalf.'

Dirty washing up water brown: scummy head, not a good start.

Strange farmyard esters: fruity, yet with a grubby feel to the smell.

Semi-sour moving towards vinegarous in the taste and mouth feel: did I try a bottle with a yeast infection? No according to a couple on my table it had been the same when they'd had it elsewhere and many months before. Tried to enjoy it, but failed.

A long way from being a good quadrupel on the evidence I had in my glass: the wife didn't like her portion either!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 15:18:07 | More by BlackHaddock

NardiByNature

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dark brown and surprisingly translucent – the sight of this might remind you of a doctor pepper – it’s got a fizzy little head and small bubbles to boot. ...Surface tension lets you know this guy’s a little thicker than soda, though. Sweet nose: Tortuga rum cake (!), molasses, burnt sugar, dried figs. Tastes sweet, yes, but not overly so: hops do a nice job of balancing this out; the alcohol is barely perceptible. It’s on the dry side, which I dig, and leaves me wanting another sip. Extremely drinkable. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 23:58:43 | More by NardiByNature

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice upward cascade of fine bubbles. Rocky head that leaves a blanket of lace. The liquid is a cloudy brown.

Mild aromas of earth and darker, unburnt malts. Brief "refrigerator" smell. Light hop.

Dark caramel and slightly sweet initial taste. A bit of metal in the background. There's a bit of brandy in the taste. Alcohol shows up in the swallow along with a tartness. It's hard to believe there's a 12% abv.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 19:09:43 | More by smcolw

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a short 11.2 oz bottle into a Lost Abbey chalice.

A- pours brown with a 2 finger tan head. Any lacing resides immediately. Lots of effervescence.

S- chocolate malts, tart cherries, some sourness.

T- stale bread, toasted malts, yeast, tart cherries.

M- medium body and high carbonation. Dryness and carbonation is off-putting.

O- just an ok beer. The abv is hidden well and the nose is very nice, but the mouthfeel really takes away from this beer as well as the taste doesn't follow the nose.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 23:35:22 | More by kawilliams81

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a cloudy dark copper amber. Half finger active off-white head with lacing. Aroma of light fruit, sour and somewhat vinous. Flavor is a mixed fruit, plum, grape, raisin, raspberries. Overall sweet, but with a strong sour element. Finishes a bit oaky and sour. The complex fruit and sweet / sour was very interesting. I'm not a big fan of sours, but this was a case where the sour element was a minor component of an interesting flavor combination. Nice medium to heavy bodied with some creaminess and nice carbonation. Nicely made and interesting. Hides the high ABV beautifully.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 04:42:42 | More by LiquidAmber

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle served in a snifter glass.

pours a murky brown tone with a finger of beige/khaki head. mediocre retention; decent lacing.

nose is a bit underwhelming - not as robust as i typically look for but in attendance are notes of toastiness, dark fruits, and bit of tart/funk. interesting flavor profile follows: not at all what i was expecting - quite unlike most BSDAs i've sampled. spice, caramel malts, toastiness, and some sour/tartness, especially in the finish. well-hidden 12% ABV.

medium-full bodied with average carbonation. pretty drinkable considering that ABV. nice beer.

originally reviewed: 12-27-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 20:36:59 | More by BostonHops

Fibrillator

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

When shopping at a local beer 'museum,' I was scanning the Belgians and was approached by another knowledgable beer guy. He suggested this beer. I'm glad he did...

11.2 oz bottle, tulip glass, cool not cold.

A: brownish, tint of red, light ivory 0.5 in head, carbonated mid.

S: tart, slight fruit, esters, expected scent of a sour

T: wow. Complex but not overdone. Definite fruit character of a quad, but sour as well. Balanced. Taste made me want more. No clue as to the 12%abv content until label was read. More interesting as it warmed slightly.

M: typical of quad, a bit of watery, but head and carbonation to keep a good finish.

O: for those who love the Belgian quads and triples who are looking to understand the sours, this is your beer. It really is a crossover style. I'd love to find it on tap, but suspect that only happens in the Flemish zones.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 14:35:04 | More by Fibrillator

mindspin315

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Brownish red color, burgundy. Small tan head which went away quickly. No sediment or haze. Not sure if this is bottle conditioned or not. Good head retention and alcohol legs/lacing are quite impressive.

The aroma is almost exactly like a red wine. Red grape skins, minerals, raisins, and grape juice.
Carbonation hits upfront...not in a bad way.

Drinks a lot like a carbonated red wine. Earthy flavors mixed in with red grape skins, green apples, and dark raisins. Slight sweetness sticks on the back of the tounge and mouth. The beer even has a sour touch to it. Not at all mouth puckering or that noticable but sits in the background. At 12% this one is masked really well and you'll only be noticing it when you get a buzz.

Overall this is different than many Belgian strong dark ales or Quads. The traditional dark fruits that are are in most Belgian dark ales are not present and a red wine/raisin quality highlight this beer quite nicely. A must try for any fan of Belgian beers!

[94/100]

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 07:17:27 | More by mindspin315

AgentZero

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Brown colored beer with a bit of red on the edges. White head and decent carbonation.

S - Belgian yeast a little bit of spice dark fruits. Little bit of funk, there's some cherry notes coming through.

T - Tastes a lot like it smells. Little bit of wood in there with some funk dark fruits, and belgian yeast. Not bad, even if this isn't my preferred style of beer.

M - Medium bodied with a pretty hefty dose of carbonation.

O - Not bad, pretty easy to drink for 12%. Wouldn't mind having this again.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 05:26:06 | More by AgentZero

GDBEERMAN

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz into a tulip. No bottle date.

A: Deep reddish body, with a light tan head. Good formation and retention, leaves a frothy layer and little lacing. Lighter end of the spectrum in the body.

S: Aroma of plum and roasted malts, good levels of sweetness and no hop presence. The slight note of a wild character.

TM: Very light in all aspects. The flavor has a classic note Belgian quad, but all are very low in esters and plum and currant flavors. Mouthfeel is very crisp and quite refreshing. Lingering taste is fairly short. Funky character is at low levels and is very approachable.

O: Overall a very low end intensity, well balanced brew. This has 12% ABV, very well hidden, but not what truly defines the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 03:16:29 | More by GDBEERMAN

womencantsail

California

2.23/5  rDev -43.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Thanks for sharing, Bobby.

A: The pour is hazy brown in color with a small khaki head.

S: The nose starts off with a light fruitiness with some toasted bread. There is a touch of tart fruits, mostly raisins and plums. Initially it is somewhat metallic which only gets worse as it sits for a moment. There is also a little bit of grass.

T: From start to finish, this is very metallic and minerally. There is some sweet toffee and bread, but that's about all the positive things I can say about it. It's lightly tart with some lemon and green apple. A touch of booze, too.

M: Medium bodied with full carbonation.

O: Poor aroma and flavor, very disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 19:20:04 | More by womencantsail

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into an oversized wine glass.

Look – very dark brown, with about a finger’s worth of just barely off-white colored foam that dissipates somewhat slowly.

Smell – very strong malt presence, as well as of fruits. Almost smells like a very strong grape soda.

Taste – again, a strong malt presence, and also that of grapes. It feels very much like tasting a lighter wine. After the initial taste of the grape-like flavors, there’s not a whole lot there. There’s not much of a kick or aftertaste.

Mouthfeel – a little bit of a warming feel, and pretty well-balanced.

Overall – not a bad brew at all, but it doesn’t seem very intriguing or perplexing, especially not for what I was expecting from a Belgian dark.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 16:02:52 | More by Nerudamann

cooch69

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This Quad pours a deep amber and brown with some purplish highlights. It's got a nice tight one finger head made of gorgeous medium sized bubbles.

Nose comes off a bit weak at first. I initially got a bit of rice at first. Some caramel, some spices, alcohol and fruitiness(pinapple & Pomegranate).

A beutiful combination of almost everything I love in beer. Maltiness, sourness and fruitiness. The sourness is nice and mild but that combined with the medium body and soft mouthfeel make this beer way too easy to drink for it's ABV. There are a lot of fruits and spices in here, mainly pineapple and pomegranate. I'm even getting some spiced cider. I'm probably getting that more from the cinnamon hint's in the beer, which are pretty abundent as well. Nice malty backbone to hold it all together even though the malts are a bit thin. This beer still kicks major ass and is sticking out as one of the better ones I've had in quite some weeks.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 02:45:11 | More by cooch69

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From 12oz bottle to Bruges hybrid glass on 5/18/11
*From notes

A: Prune purple-brown in color. 1.25 finger head on a decent pour. Little to no lacing.

S: Almost nil. It's like the glass is literally empty, though I do detect a hint of mild soy sauce and stinky cheese. As it warms, a splash of funk hits the nostrils.

T: A touch of mellow apricot and tin can. It's also a bit funky. Whether or not this was intentional, I don't know. What I do know is that it adds a nice layer of complexity that makes this brew signifigantly more palatable.

M: Quite creamy and rich. It's thick enough and really helps to balance out the 12% ABV.

O: What an odd little beer. 't Gaverhopke's Extra comes off like a strange mix of a Belgian Strong and a young lambic. This isn't something I'll be returning to, but none the less it's an extremely unique brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2011 21:50:06 | More by Rhettroactive

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a cloudy mahogany with red highlights and two fingers fluffy, white head that dissipates slowly. Low carbonation and nice lacing.

N: Candy sugar, pear, apple, Belgian yeast and wheat bread.

T: Slightly tart and sweet with candy sugar, pear, apple concord grapes and wheat bready malts. Hints of cherry and caramel and finishes with light citrus and floral notes and some Belgian yeast.

M: Medium bodied, crisp and semi-dry.

O: Fantastic! Extremely balanced, complex and dangerously drinkable! No sign of the 12% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 00:15:53 | More by justintcoons

mdfb79

New York

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

Poured from a 330ml bottle into my Duvel Green tulip. Picked this one up at Stateline a few days ago.

a - Pours a deep mahogany brown color with a reddish tint, one finger of fluffy off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of sour dark fruits, Belgian yeast, light spices, sweet fruity malts, and light funk. A little tart/sour and funky, but not overpowering; pretty nice nose.

t - Tastes of sour dark fruits, fruity malts, light lactic notes, light funk, wood/oak, and Belgian yeast and pepper. Again, a nice light funk and tart fruit to it.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Smooth and just a touch overcarbonated, but it isn't bad.

o - Overall a pretty nice Belgian ale. Some nice light funk and tart dark fruits, and pretty easy to drink for 12% ABV. Would like to have again.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 00:26:25 | More by mdfb79

adman08

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a deep copper/amber color with ample head. Leaves no lacing on the glass. The head doesn't fade much due to the high carbonation.
S-Very light aromas of malt sweetness with a slight hint of smoke. Slight grassy aroma as well.
T-Very light for a dark Belgian ale. Not really sweet like some of the other strong dark Belgians. Sugary sweetness at first, slight tartness and citrus flavor.
M-Very light, lots and lots of bubbles. Not real thick and malty.
Overall, a very interesting beer. Nothing like any other strong dark Belgian I've had. It's tasty, just not what I expected. The light taste and feel is different for this style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 00:10:33 | More by adman08

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice Belgium ale with good fruity and sour notes.

Presentation: 12 oz brown capped bottle. Simple light cream label with a couple of green touches, and a drawing of a boiling kettle, hops, and barley. Shows 12% Alc. by Vol. Served in a snifter.

A - Murky amber-brown pour with a bubbly 1/3" head.

S - Fruity hints in the nose, sour yeast and some caramel.

T - Taste follows expanding a subtle fruity sourness, sugary... Tart senses weaves itself back over the yeast and the fruit on a loop. Distant dash of spices, and as it warms there is a faint earthy sense that becomes more prominent.

M - Medium/full body and carbonation

O - Nice flow, not so much a sipper but offers long and complex dexterity.

Notes: Glad to revisit this brewery, this felt pretty good and wanting me to try more. I'm not sure if this is among the stuff I tried some time ago but more of a reason to keep on tasting their stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 15:30:18 | More by Daniellobo

radioscooter

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Purchased at the Andersons in Dublin, Oh. Been away from Belgians for a while. On a bourbon-aged, dark malt bomb bender. Thought I'd get back to my roots here. This came as a recommendation from another BA'er.

Murky, traditional looking chestnut colored pour. Foamy, soapy head. Belgian yeasty smell, some figgy brown fruit overtones.

Flavor is excellent, but mild and intriguing. There's a syrupy, slightly sweet approach, champagne, honey, dried light fruit - yeast. In many ways, a standard Belgian abbey style. But there's this golden, caramel, malty aura and the amazing thing is this odd sea-salt finish. After it goes down, the hints of sea salt appear and give a completely new taste to the finish and make you immediately want more of it.

A very nice, medium weight tasty drinker. I could have this at lunch, at dinner - makes a great meal accompaniment. I would LOVE to have this with some spicy dish or smoked fish. I am ready to go to a neighbor to ask if they have any smoked Gouda.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 19:53:31 | More by radioscooter

MufflnMan

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tasted in a snifter which produced a small, light head. Head comes back to life with a swirl. Nice amber color. Light and very refreshing thanks to some carbonation but still quite complex. A really great combination and completely hides the 12% abv.

Taste is much more interesting than the nose. Would have earned an A if the smell was a bit more inviting/interesting. The taste really made up for it though. Flowery smell from hops is predominant with a plethora of spices in the taste. I note clove, ginger and raisins. Slightly sour but well balanced by the spices. Wonderful carbonation and dryness really makes the mouthfeel, maybe a beermosa in my future. Can't wait to have another with some brunch/breakfast! Where is that 12% again??

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 23:27:55 | More by MufflnMan

rtepiak

Poland

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

i was told that the importer of 12% named his company after this beer. obviously one of the beers he imports. i was always told this was a quad but after trying it i would say it has interesting english old ale properties.

and yes. mind you that this is coming from someone that thinks that gale's old prize ale is something else. this is on par but smoother without the smoke.

pour is ruby clear with a small finger and a half of off white head. there is a collection of settled malt wonder at the bottom of the bottle. this pours cloudy copper and the nose and palate seems to exploded but very very slowly. nose is of tannins, grape, and cherry. palate is a mild sour with a backbone of a malty raisin. doesn't feel 12% what so ever. smooth and lean but very concentrated in taste. Worcestershire sauce, balsamic hits, apple,

i would say a sour end for something with lamb or blue cheese.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 01:36:04 | More by rtepiak

chilidog

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark red/brown. Thin head, little lace, lighter carbonation.

Flowery aroma with citric notes.

Taste and mouth. Starts out sweet tart mix of sugar like yeast with earthy overtones. Citric, raisin,rum like with a dryness of tartness at the finish. 12% hides well, not boozie at all.

Overall, ok on its own. abit complex for a meal brew. Abit price awareness at about five bucks each.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 13:43:24 | More by chilidog