Malheur 12° - Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV

PhantasIPA

Delaware

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

This monster, with horns and fangs, that someone in Belgium decided to call a beer, pours a dark, cloudy brown that barely allows light through. The head poured a legitimate 4 inches and settled to a 1/2 inch after about 10 minutes. Lacing is decent against the glass.

The smell of this brew is like two raisins, covered in brown sugar, drank brandy all night and then got into a brawl in the alleyway outside of the bar...after neither one could call himself the victor, they self immolated, and that is where the toasty character of the brew comes in to play.

The taste is strong and complex. Sweet, pungent fruit (raisins) then sweet malt (brown sugar, maybe caramel) is followed by a toasted barley and balanced bitter flavor. The smell and the taste are absolutely connected. Spice is very hard to place...

Mouthfeel is smooth and heavy. Carbonation can't live in the realm of 12% ABV, at least in this bottle. Taste lingers for a VERY long time on the tongue, the scent permeates the nose and lingers as well - inescapable!

Overall this beer is a beast. Strong, complex, flavorful, and well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 01:45:20 | More by PhantasIPA

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

750ml bottle into a snifter

A: Pours a very dark brown with almost three fingers of thick off white head. Great lacing and retention.

S: Dried apricots, orange bitters, nutmeg, and a bit of peppercorn. A bit brighter with less dark fruits than I'm used to for the style, but still quite nice.

T: Sweeter than I thought it'd be based on the aroma. Plums start off with a bit of prunes. Quite peppery as well without as much of the brighter apricot and orange I got from the aroma. A tad soapy.

M: Medium thickness with a nice, strong carbonation.

O: Not a bad Quad, it has a nicely complex aroma and a decent flavor, it just doesn't stand up with some the heavy hitters of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 17:46:44 | More by coreyfmcdonald

elNopalero

Texas

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottle dated best before 10/11. Aged at least two years, enjoyed 3/13.

This pours a ruddy dark raisin color with light foam.

There’s an aroma of dark fig, raisin, caramel, and brown sugar.

It has an interesting flavor. I pick up some more malty sweetness, caramel, fig and date puree, and a light rum note. Still retains its carbonation. Definitely a sipper.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 08:04:07 | More by elNopalero

Arno

4.66/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Very dark brown appearance, toward black. Tan head with nice lacing. Sweet ripe fruit and dark sugar kind of smell. You get a lot of wheats and malts at first, then the lovely sweet dark and ripe fruits, towards cherry, with a full well bodied sweet dark notes toward the finish with a nice dark fruit linger.

This one is a keeper for sure. People told me about Rochefort 10 or St. Bernardus Abt 12, which seem to be very popular and highly rated and aren't bad, but this beer beats those by a mile. It's full of big flavors and aroma's with many layers and a much original flavor signature and balance to me.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 01:46:34 | More by Arno

LeeroyJenkins

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

A - Very dark cherry in color and nearly opaque. Thick two finger head that dissipates relatively quickly.

S - Sweet yet thin, and slightly tart; think cherries, dates, raisins.

T - Pretty consistent with it's aroma - dark and sweet fruits and a bit malty as well.

M - Medium viscosity, slightly sharp in the nose, however the alcohol is pretty well hidden considering the percentage. Chocolate and darker notes more apparent upon finish and as the beer becomes warmer.

Yet to have a quad that blows my mind, this one was no exception. Regardless, I consider this a great beer and enjoyed the whole bottle from start to finish. For the price and given the availability, the likelihood of purchasing this beer again for me is high.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 04:36:05 | More by LeeroyJenkins

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

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

Poured from 33cl bottle into St. Bernardus chalice. Thank you Kendall!

A. Pours a well carbonated 2+ finger head. Good retention. Decent lacing. Color is very dark brown, almost indistinguishable from black.

S. Big yeasty malty aroma. Dark fruit, brown sugar, candi sugar. Sweet smelling. Like the smell of this one quite a bit.

T. Dark fruit, candi sugar sweetness, caramel, belgian yeast. Overall nice sweetness, takes the stage. Not the most complex flavors for a quad. Raisins, figs, brown sugar. Even though it is not overly complex, it is incredibly smooth for 12%. Really delicous despite, not being the best quad. Get a little punch of spice on the back of the tongue on one of my sips.

M. Full bodied. Meidum carbonation. Lingering sweetness.

O. Good aroma. Excellent sweet Belgian delciousness for flavor. Good full mouthfeel. Its not the epitome of the worlds best quads, but this is some really good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 02:56:35 | More by siradmiralnelson

rarbring

Sweden

3.53/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A foggy dark chestnut ale, a high off-white head, good lacing and curtains.

Sweet aromas, raisins, almond and sherry. A bit weak.

Sweet red fruits, brown sugar, some cherry seed bitterness.

Medium carbonation, a thick texture and big body, slightly dry.

Easy to drink, covers the high ABV well.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 17:08:03 | More by rarbring

superspak

Michigan

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

750 ml bottle into chalice, best before DL039/111(no idea). Pours very hazy extremely dark brown color with a 1 finger foamy khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big raisin, apple, pear, prune, caramel, molasses, chocolate, toast, pepper, clove, earth, and yeast spiciness. Damn nice aromas with good strength, balance, and complexity. Taste of raisin, prune, caramel, toast, molasses, chocolate, toffee, clove, earth, pepper, and yeast spiciness. Lingering notes of dark fruits, caramel, molasses, toast, chocolate, toffee, earth, and yeast spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Excellent balance and complexity of flavors with good depth; no cloying flavors after the finish at all. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a slick and lightly prickly mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Belgian strong dark ale! Very nice depth and complexity; and quite smooth to sip on. No idea on the age of this bottle; but I would have to say it probably is fairly old and it definitely holds up well. This is a very enjoyable sipper.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 04:10:10 | More by superspak

spdyfire83

Ireland

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

248th Review
33cl bottle poured into Malheur snifter
Vintage: 27/07/2006

Enjoyed at DHvL in early June 2012. Thanks to kscaldef for sharing this!

A: Medium/dark brown. Half (mocha) fingernail head on medium pour.

S: Smells of raisin, fig, wood, and touch of vanilla. Toffee sweetness, malt, and alcohol. Complex and rich. Smells smooth.

T: Mellow and muddled mix of everything in the nose, but a very pronounced oak and chocolate presence. Deep and somewhat easy to drink, but booze could mellow a bit.

M: Full bodied with appropriate carbonation.

O: Overall a good beer, but might get a bit better with age.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 21:19:11 | More by spdyfire83

Jesstyr

Virginia

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

Grabbed a 3 year old 750ml bottle of Malheur from my cellar - a wait well worth it. Served in a St. Bernardus chalice.

Dark brown, nearly maroon color with significant haze. Tons of sediment in each glass - probably a mixture of both the aging and the style of beer. Nose is exceedingly sugary, which belies the flavor, and you can definitely sense the alcohol.

This is essentially what you expect from a quad. Raisins, brown sugar, toffee, a little bit of chocolate. Lots of flavor in this, and all in a good way. A light carbonation in the beer with nice fine bubbles. Overall a very enjoyable drink, particularly when paired with a good meal.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 01:33:04 | More by Jesstyr

ksimons

New York

3.73/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-a very dark chestnut brown with two fingers worth of fluffy looking tan head

S-rich malts, raisins, caramel, yeast, and a decent amount of alcohol

T-rich malt, booze soaked raisins, toffee, and alcohol. For 12% though the alcohol isn't too overwhelming.

M-big body, medium carbonation, a light fruity taste left in the mouth

Overall this is a big beer. Lots of malt, dark fruit, and alcohol in this beer. Pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 22:43:26 | More by ksimons

Absumaster

Netherlands

3.48/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A clear, burgundy red beer with a quick settling head.

Smell is full of dark flavors, caramalts, candisugar and red fruit, grapes and strawberries.

Taste is full and quite alcoholic. The beer is malty and has strong caramalt character. It reminds of dark fruit candi sugar. The beer has 12% alcohol which is nicely hidden behind it's big body. The beer is too sweet for me. All together the beer has not enough to fascinate me.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 21:44:57 | More by Absumaster

BostonHops

Massachusetts

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

750ml corked/caged bottle served in a st bernardus oversized wineglass.

pours a murky, dark brown/mahogany with just shy of two fingers' light tan head; moderate retention, lacing all over the place. pretty much just how a quad should present itself in my book.

the nose is a potpourri of caramel malts, dark fruits, belgian yeasts, spice, and alcohol; more of the same transition to the taste with a big caramel malt presence up front... becomes a bit sweeter as it warms, muted notes of chocolate and spice. has a finish which is on the drier side and carries a bit of a boozy aftertaste. complex and very tasty, though i may quibble somewhat with its sweetness, which borders on cloying.

no real surprises with the mouthfeel: full-bodied, medium to high carbonation; creamy. at the end of the day this is a very nice though far from masterful quad. i will definitely have it again, though, possibly as part of a blind quad tasting... would love to throw it up against rochefort 10, westy 12, the koningshoeven quad, st bernardus abt 12, southampton's take on the style, urthel samaranth possibly, and maybe a local, say pretty things baby tree.

original review on: 09-03-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 22:45:31 | More by BostonHops

DARIVA

Netherlands

3.48/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Deep cherry red dark beer with a reasonable head

S: Sweet smell with the presence of caramel, light floral.

T: Sweet with a slightly bitter aftertaste, chocolate

M: Good tingling, feeling much foam, tingling remains a long time.

O: Not easily drinkable, also a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 18:13:19 | More by DARIVA

Zimbo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

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

Nice subdued nose of malt and chocolate of some depth. Some sulphury sourness in the glass as well. Dark fluffy magnolia head starts easy and massive but reduces greatly over a fairly prolonged period in time. Deep dark brown to look at with an Indian reddish hue.
Fairly carbonic start, fizzy, surprising and ends very dark, dry and earthy but that acidic body really dominates the palate throughout. There's some yeastiness to to the taste in there as well.
For many my 'score' will probably be seen as a bit harsh but for me this just lacks charisma and emotional intensity.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 19:05:21 | More by Zimbo

beerpirates

Belgium

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

33 cl bottel poured into my lost abbey stemware glass

A: Pours a nice deep hue of brown with a full fluffy two finger head that dosn't stay very long The retention is good with a solid cap hanging around for the duration. Some spotty lace noted.

S: Nice blast of malty goodness. Big on caramel malt with some strong underlying grains. Brown sugar and dark fruits come next in a bold way. Very nice.

T: Similar to aroma. Big sweet malty goodness right from the start. The dark fruits come out along with some yeast. In the finish there is a touch of spice.

M: Medium in body with very lively carbonation.

D: It's an wonderful after dinner or late evening sipper

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 19:48:06 | More by beerpirates

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL corked and caged bottle. label is confusing, it says "Best Before End: LB10/11".

poured into goblet, extremely dark brown, muddy. tan creamy head, that fades down to a thin collar. aroma is very nice as it warms, bold raisins, spicey, a little booze.

taste is not as boozey as the smell, even though it's 12% abv. notes of caramel, raisins, biscuity malt. some brown sugar, but not overly sweet. complex, but not overpowering. nice flavors.
medium body, higher carbonation. it could be smoother.

overall - a very solid Quad. Just not quite as good as the top class, like St. Bernardus 12 or Rochefort 10. not as smooth and easy drinkin as those.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 04:56:44 | More by jmdrpi

Brabander

Netherlands

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

This is a very lively beer so watch out with the opening of the bottle and the pour!

I am a quad lover and when i saw this one at the Bierparadijs in Meer, Belgium, i decided to try it.

I was not disappointed at all as you can see on my ratings. Bottle best before may 2014.

Poured in my Struise glass the beer sizzles in the glas and it gives on the biggest heads i have seen the last months. Deep darkbrown fluid with lots of carbonation. Goood.

Smell is somewhat caramellic sweetness. Taset is good, a very drinkable quad but the alcohol is not really hidden.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 20:50:48 | More by Brabander

Mahlik

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bottle poured into tulip glass

A - Pours a dark brown with a two-finger khaki head. Head retention is pretty good. Head dissipates to leave a thin crown. Some decent streaks of lacing are left behind.

S - Dark sugars mixed with raisins, figs and molasses give this beer an aroma that is quite sweet. Fresh baked bread and roasted malts make up the backbone of the aroma.

T - Sweet and boozy. Almost a tad too sweet for me. Dark fruits, bready malts and dark sugar are what really stand. Some subtle notes of caramel and cherries. Spicy alcohol makes it presence well known.

M - Medium-bodied with medium-high level of carbonation. Sticky and slick mouthfeel. Plenty of warmth from the alcohol.

O - I've had superior quads to this. The ample sweetness and lack of notable flavors were negatives for me. I don't think this is undrinkable by any means. I just think there are better options. Seek out if you are a big fan of quads.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 23:59:56 | More by Mahlik

ikantspel

California

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

best by date of 11/2020

served into a duvel tulip

pours an almost black with a ginormous frothy bubbly head.

dark fruits and yeasty smell. some maltiness just for good measure

starts off with a dark coffee. the sweetness of the dark fruits comes in and is finished off by a carbonated yeast.

almost a little too syrupy but the taste work well.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 05:53:31 | More by ikantspel

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Mmmmm, dangerous beer. Poured right out of the fridge, so too cold, but with a smallish tan head that slowly settles and no lace. Color is a cloudy amber brown. Aroma is lots of dark, ripe fruits, candies, malt, toffee, caramel. fruit, loam. Flavor’s a lot like nose, but with big sweetness tempered by good carbonic tang. Very well balanced as they say. Very little alcohol in the finish which is like flavor and of average length. Great, easy drinking, powerful brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 16:20:05 | More by drpimento

DavidST

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a tulip glass, best before date of 10/11 so I'm near the end.

This pours a nice dark slightly hazy brown to dark red color with a large size off white head which quickly dissipates. The smells are of grapes and dark fruit with a little alcohol. The feel is medium with lots of carbonation. The taste is pretty sweet, the dark fruit, some brown sugar and the alcohol burn on the way down, but still well masked for 12%.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 02:26:05 | More by DavidST

PolarBear3

Australia

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

Drank from my Duvel tulip

A - Poured a dark amber brown colour with two fingered off light tanned head that laced well.

S - Raisins, dark fruit with caramel notes.

T - Dark fruit with that caramel malt coming through. Very sweet and a little boozy but incredibly tasteful.

M - Medium with good well balanced carbonation.

O - A great Belgium dark ale that has massive sweet flavours with the dark fruits and caramel malts that are balanced nicely.
One I would definitely recommend.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 15:09:22 | More by PolarBear3

Murrhey

Montana

2.68/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz bottle poured in a Pilsner glass, 10-21-11

A: Thick tan head with big, coke like bubble. Poured like a four finger head with several minutes of retention, clearly well carbonated. Coloration is a dark reddish brown, opaque.

S: The first thing you notice about this beer. Fruity tones, possibly cherry or orange. Very strong and sharp smelling. You can smell how dark it is. Total mismatch for the flavoring for me.

T: Dark coffee or burnt sugar sort of flavor. Very bitter. I'm getting coffee overtones more than anything. I don't like coffee.

M: Thick and smooth, the way a beer that tastes like this should feel.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 00:30:09 | More by Murrhey

IKR

California

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

Appearance: Slightly cloudy dark brown color with a generous beige head.

Smell: Fruity, cherry-like notes. I also pick up some bready notes.

Taste: The cherry fruity notes in the nose are present in the taste. It finishes on a combination of fruity sweetness and mild hop bitterness. The very last remnant is slightly dry.

Mouth-feel: Body is on the lighter Medium side with a fair level of carbonation.

Overall: Good beer. I liked it but thought it lacked the complexity of my favorite Quad, Trappiste Rochefort 10. Priced very well. i would purchase this one again.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 23:11:54 | More by IKR