Malheur 12° - Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV

Brideshead

Massachusetts

4.72/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

In appearance, an intensely-rich, opaque brown, approaching black at the center, but catching light around the periphery. Very firm, brownish head.

The nose presents dark fruit overlaid by a faint graphite quality. The dark fruits open up on the palate, with the well-hidden alcohol incorporating into a mildly dry but flavor-packed whole. Mouthfeel is delicately fuzzy, but perhaps a bit on the flatter side. Lovely beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2011 02:22:45 | More by Brideshead

BeerNemesis

New York

2.73/5  rDev -32.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Malheur 12° | 330 ml. | 12% ABV | 2010

Brewer: Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV
Style: Quadrupel (Quad)
Glass: Ommegang chalice

"This classically prune-colored Belgian quad seethes with bubbling energy. An alcoholic nose gives way to some of the dark fruits that unfold upon tasting. Carbonation is almost too vicious, and the dry taste of alcohol crowds out the fermented fruits and candi sugar that typically define the style."
-RA

Appearance:
Prune body streaked with auburn highlights beneath a speckled khaki dome.

Aroma:
Mostly alcohol and hints of dark fruit. Could be plums and dates, but I can't really make it out.

Taste:
The assertive label says it all: it's a brute force brew that sacrifices complexity for a brash abv profile. The finish is clean, but slightly bitter and unsatisfying.

Mouthfeel:
Somewhat thin, but a little swish in the mouth might rustle up some soft foam and put the biting carbonation to work.

Harmony:
It's unfortunately skewed towards big esters at the expense of the fruity flavors that should be balancing it out. It's biggest flaw? For all the big flavors, it skimps on complexity and flavor development.

Would I get it again?:
No. Plenty of better-tasting quads to choose from.

Bottled: ?
Served: 01.01.2011

Price = $3.99 at Whole Foods

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 01:11:42 | More by BeerNemesis

Richardberg

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - bomber (maybe 8mo old) to red wine glass. Deep ruddy brown, dense with fizz, topped with a small but persistent tan head. Sticky fingers of bubbles and booze coat the rim.

S - plum, brown sugar, blackberry, sugary yeast

T - ditto. Starts fairly sweet, wrapping the fruity smells above in a caramel/malty backbone, but aftertaste is slightly bitter. Not what I call "balanced" but avoids going too far either way. Very subtle boozy flavor ekes through, to a pleasant effect.

M - wonderfully full bodied, sticky, smooth. Coats the whole mouth and lingers like a liquor, while still providing a carbonated kick. Delightful.

D - super easy to drink for a quad. You only notice the ABV if you're looking for it; the strong aromas never clash; the carbonation is fun without becoming burdensome (as lagers and sodas are, at least for my gullet). If the slightly harsh sweet/bitter contrast evened out -- as I suspect more age might -- it would get 5.0 here too.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 02:20:33 | More by Richardberg

keithmurray

Louisiana

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - dark brown color with some nice tan head

Smell - brown sugar, molasses, chocolate, fruitcake, malt

Taste - Belgian yeast, cocoa, brown sugar, dark fruits, rum

mouthfeel - HIghly carbonated, full bodied, alcohol is well masked, mildly bitter upfront, slightly sweet finish. Rich beverage

drinkability - this is a nice QUad, no hint of booze despite the relatively high ABV, one that I will revisit

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2010 00:51:10 | More by keithmurray

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Pours dark brown with a cap of off white head and appears bright. One of the less impressive looking Quads I've had.

S - Lot's of afterhsave, booze, and some dark fruit.

T - Aftershave is less present thank goodness, there's some booze there and a dark fruit element again. Dry finish. One of the least complex Quads I've had. Odd.

M - Full bodied, medium carbonation, really smooth. Seems appropriate.

D - The booze element needs work or somoothing out. It seems like there would be more potential in this beer after some aging but this bottle wasn't great. That said, I wouldn't mind sitting down to really work at this one given the reviews I've read.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 18:55:33 | More by tbeckett

Mitchster

Michigan

4.88/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

$10.99 for a corked and caged 750ml bottle. Pours out to a slightly hazy deep brown, forming a tall creamy light tan head with excellent retention and beautiful lacing with a brisk carbonation. The nose opens with green apples, kiwi, pineapple and brown bananas with a spicy touch of clove and white pepper. Mouthfeel is creamy and rich with a dense body and soft texture. The taste is wonderful...dark fruits, fig newtons, and spices with a wonderfully balanced addition of dark Belgian candi sugar sweetness, powdery cocoa, and rum character. Cola like aftertaste with a mild bitterness and a sweetness that hangs in the back of the throat. The alcohol is barely perceptible in taste.

This is a wonderful, rich and complex Belgian Quad...the best I've had in a long time. I would easily buy this again for a special occasion. I have to say that after having recently drank St. Bernardus, Rochefort, the Reverand, Urthel Samaranth, and Rigor Mortis, this one is clearly my favorite. The mouthfeel, character, cleanliness, complexity and nuance make this a winner. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 23:10:41 | More by Mitchster

aerozeppl

New York

3.73/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured with around 10 fingers of white head when combining the 4 pours it took to get an 11.2 oz bottle into my glass. Billowy white head. Almost looks black until held up to the light. Then a nice deep ruby/rust color.

S: Little bit of toffee some malt and sweetness. Little bit of a burnt nose. The candi sugar comes across fairly clear. Little bit of esters with a touch of dark fruit in there as well. Lacks the complexity I look for in the style.

T: Nice sweetness up front. Candi sugar. A little bit of burnt malt. A touch estery. It just is lacking the complexity I want for this style and the ABV.

M: The mouthfeel ia little too sharp and assertive. Fairly prickly. Probably a result of all the sugar they used in this beer. After 30 min in the glass it gets better.

D: Maybe this should be aged for 5 years before drinking. It is super smooth and there is really no immediate hint of the ABV other than the taste of lingering sugar. The carbonation really killed this beer for me. Once it settles down it was fine. It just really lacked the complexity I am looking for in the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 02:24:54 | More by aerozeppl

tomfneph

Kentucky

4.45/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into a chalice from the fridge, this beer has a nut brown opaque color with a one finger caramel head that faded quickly as the beer warmed.
The beer gains flavor and mouthfeel as it warms. Don't drink it too cold. The smell is predominantly figs, raisins, and sour cherries. It has a faint vinous overtone. The taste is a mild and malty toasted brown sugar. I had a Westvleteren a year ago and if my memory serves me correctly this beer is not as sweet and fruity. The mouthfeel is a pleasant lubrication that cries out for a medium bodied dry cheese like a pecorino or Parmesan. Share this beer, otherwise it may be one and done.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 21:36:48 | More by tomfneph

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #34 (Nov 2009):

Initial head rises high and slowly diminishes to a thin ring of lace; dark mahogany brown that is almost completely opaque. Booze-soaked raisin aroma with some fresh-baked mo- lasses cake in the back. Crisp and slick full body, carbonation comes to play with a sizable bite. Stogy malt character dances with the spicy, peppery alcohol. Flights of fruitiness from the alcohol and caramelized sugar from the malt stack the complexities. Faint suggestions of broth and vegetable middle to end are other affirmations that this is a BIG beer. Mild herbal, almost cheesy hop is right below the spiciness of the alcohol. Finishes semisweet with a kiss of charred malt.

A little rough around the edges, yet still very controlled for a Quad--a treat to drink. The road most taken would be blue-veined cheese with some fig spread ... a bit more daring would be a pork loin with mole sauce.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2010 21:59:08 | More by BeerAdvocate

bskrtz

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served cold from 11.2 ounce bottle to St Bernardus beer challis

A) Frothy white head, deep dark brown with lots of lively carbonation. Very thick and hazy.

S) Sweet caramel, sour dough and orange citrus.

T) Delicious & complex. Taste is dark stewed fruits, figs, raisons & dates.

M) Very smooth with concentrated flavors. The alcohol content is high but does not dominate. Carbonation lasts and lasts.

D) Truly enjoyed this one -- an excellent Quad. Beware: packs a punch with 12% ABV

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 01:36:09 | More by bskrtz

Frosty80

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Color: pours light brown. sits very dark brown with deep amber hue. one finger head that persists

Smell: rich malt aromas. vinous character dominates with plums and raisins. alcohol blends in well and helps brighten aromas. very light spiciness if any

Taste: very malty with great complexity. same as aroma: lots of dark fruit and vinous notes. alcohol is noticable but very subtle, providing some balance to the sweetness. finish is pretty well balanced but seems to lean toward the sweet side with just a slight spiciness and very low bitterness

Mouthfell: full, smooth, chewy body with medium carbonation

Notes: i think its impossible to make a BAD quad/bsd. this one is pretty textbook

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2010 02:24:43 | More by Frosty80

emagana

California

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured with a white one finger head. This beer shows carbonation. A red brownish tint in color.
Aromas of sweet glazed yams. Cherry also shows a present witha hint of lemon.
Starts off with a burst of flavors showing it's high carbonation bubbles. Caramels and sweet apricots and candy. A warming sensation fills the palate cautioning it's high alcohol content. With this malt back bone not very easy to hide the abv.
A lingering flavor of sweet cherries makes it quite plesant. I should have bought another for cellering.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2010 02:10:56 | More by emagana

stoutstevie703

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

reviewed on 10/14/10
A- Brown with brick red highlights when held to the light, nice 1" baise head forms off medium pour, which dissapates relatively quickly.
S- Clove hits my nose first, then notes of belgian candied sugar, dark fruit and malt as well.
T- There are dark fruits all over, with a trace of (chocolate malt?) the clove esters are more prominent in the nose, but do make a showing. Mid palate the candied sugar hits, and finish off- dry.
M- Medium to heavy, there is balanced carb. and seems velvety at times.
D- It is fairly easy drinker for the 12%abv which is too well hidden, i enjoyed this, albiet a bit to quick, a 750ml was no problem finish by myself. This is one of my favorite fall time beers, but it usually is a one and done.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 15:04:48 | More by stoutstevie703

mrunseen

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to chase2634 for the opportunity to taste this brew.

Appearance: Poured medium brown in color, with a very thin head which faded quickly. There was a light amount of carbonation with little to no lacing.

Nose: The nose on this beer was typical for the quads that I've tasted in the past. Hints of alcohol were present throughout the session, overall, the smell was sweet and pleasant ... a very appetizing smell.

Taste: Brown sugar, figs ... a very tasty beer.

Mouth: The main characteristic of the mouth had to be it's stickiness. I wouldn't say that this beer was syrupy, but it definitely had a certain stickiness to it.

Drinkability: I would have this beer again, although I would limit this to one per night. It's a heavy hitting beer, but a very tasty one.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2010 07:00:14 | More by mrunseen

evilkalla

Alabama

4.47/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving: 750 ml bottle into a snifter.

A: Before opening, lots of noticeable crud on the bottom, indicating a significant bottle fermentation. Lots of pressure on the cork. Poured a very dark brown, opaque color with about a quarter inch of head which receded fairly quickly.

S: Has a rich smell of fig, raisin, and brown sugar.

T: Had a rich and deep taste. Lots of brown and candy sugar but not really that sweet. There is almost a barrel aged character to it although it isn't. There is a significant alcohol burn but it really just warms you up on the finish, it is pretty well balanced. Exceptional beer.

M: Sticky, thick and rich.

D: Definitely something to sip slowly. I should definitely be splitting this bottle with a friend, but I'm not, so I'm sure I'll be falling out of my chair pretty soon. Very good beer. Picked it up on a whim and am not disappointed!

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 00:07:53 | More by evilkalla

BobZ

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured into my St. Bernardus Chalice.

Appearance: Deep dark brown, light struggles to penetrate this one, nice head, and good lacing start to finish.

Smell: Some malty sweetness, spice, chocolate, even some coffee notes, this one has some complexity.

Taste: Excellent, sweet but balanced nicely with some hoppy bitterness, again like the scent chocolate, coffee, Belgian yeast, malty goodness. Really nice quad and the alcohol is completely masked.

Mouth: Very smooth, almost creamy, a little warmth from the alcohol.

Drinkability: Very, very, good a unique flavor profile for a Belgian quad. Frankly a flavor I want more of, this beer will always be found in my cellar.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2010 03:38:01 | More by BobZ

brentk56

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours an iced coffee color with a massive head that foams out of the bottle as well and leaves plenty of lace

Smell: Fig Newton aroma with apricots, cinnamon and brown sugar

Taste: Opens with a fruity but leathery character, with the sweeter fruit (apricot and fig) elements offset by the tannic leather and bitter aspect; after the swallow, the cinnamon, brown sugar and dark fruit dominate the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with rather high levels of carbonation

Drinkability: Though not in the top echelon with respect to complexity, this is certainly a fine and well-balanced quad

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2010 02:23:26 | More by brentk56

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -1%
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. to me, pretty much just how a quad should look.

the nose is a potpourri of caramel malts, dark fruits, belgian yeasts, spice, and alcohol.

more of the same pulls through in the taste. big on the caramel malts. becomes a bit sweeter as it warms. 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.

no real surprises with the mouthfeel: full-bodied, medium to high carbonation; creamy.

at the end of the day, a very nice while not quite a 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, 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. and, in a perfect world, westvleteren 12. :)

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 04:22:00 | More by perrymarcus

nataku00

California

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a tulip. Pours a ruddy, dark brown with about a finger of tan colored head. The head dissipates quickly. Some carbonation, that streams from the bottom of the bottle.

Smells like dark caramel, dried apricots, a little green apple freshness. Really nice aroma, especially as it warms to room temperature that lingers somewhat in your nose.

Taking a sip, very balanced flavor at the front of the tongue, with the dried apricots and candy sugars dominating. As it gets warmed by your tongue, slight hops bitterness mingles with roasted malts, and then you notice a little bit of alcohol in your throat. Nice medium body, and a long finish on your tongue to encourage the next sip.

Great after dinner beer, with its light sweetness and great mouthfeel. You do start to feel the high ABV after a few sips though.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2010 03:16:47 | More by nataku00

JamnesCameron

Illinois

4.93/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750 ml bottle poured into a bolluk glass.

Pours a deep mahogany, faint light barely comes through the bottom quarter of the glass. Nice tan head that dissipates quickly. Just a sheen of head on top. Some cloudiness evident.

Aromas of sweet dark fruits, malt and a little pepper (alcohol hotness). Toffee as it warms up a bit.

first taste matches the aroma, dark fruit, dark malt, a little alcohol bite. Not syrupy at all considering the strength. No hops to speak of, but those that are there provide a nice malt forward balance. As it warms up, the toffee caramelly flavors poke through. Ever so slight hop bitterness comes through as it warms.

Mouthfeel is spritzy carbonation, and medium bodied. Coats the mouth well, but isn't sticky sweet.

Drinkability if fantastic. This is one of my favorite quads, no one of my favorite beers. I like it even better with a few years of cellaring, it becomes an amazing beer. Buy two, drink one, save one for a few years. Better yet, buy a case and try one every 4 to 6 months. Seek out this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 00:38:26 | More by JamnesCameron

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.58/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours very dark copper wtih a lasting creamy head.
Nose is complex as expected: raisins, stewed apples, cloves, bready yeast, treacle and cinnamon. Nice!
Very sweet rich flavours follow, which I suppose are needed to cover the high alcohol... Lots of candi sugar, dark brown sugar and candied dark fruits. Alcohol is noticeable later on but is in no way overbearing. A little to sweet for me.
Carbonation is suitably high. Alcoholic heat is quite noticeable.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 05:29:00 | More by CrazyDavros

Bluetick

California

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: darker than I expected but lighter in taste than the appearance

S: light smells ... light smoke and caramel...but nothing spectacular ... but also nothing bad

T: As mentioned above, it tastes more like a lighter Belgian than the appearance in the glass. Somewhere in between a Duvel and RRBC Salvation.

M: For the alcohol content, this Belgian retains the effervescence of a light one. Like champagne in the mouth.

D: No problem at all drinking this. As mentioned, it's lighter than most beers this strength and goes down easy.

You will remember it's the same proof as wine when you are about 3/4 away finshed with a 750 mL bottle ... or when you start seeing double.

Note: Drink like a wine, not a bud-lite! :)

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2010 04:00:12 | More by Bluetick

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An extraordinarily fruity and rich Belgian Dark Strong Ale that shares a lot in common with Chimay Blue.

Extremely complex aromas of sweet berries, grapes, and currants and coupled with dated, figs, chocolates and malt. Candied all arround, the beer takes a confectionate tone similar to Kasteel beers.

The beer pours a froathy, almost heavily weighted, pour of dark brown with ruby/russet/purple hues. A firm and billowing head forms on the beer and fades to a froathy creme that retains well and only laces fairly underneath the strength of alcohol.

Flavors take the classic Belgian turn by starting with the confection sweet, candied fruit character of plumbs, berries, currants, and grapes. Backed by softly sweet (powdered sugars), light chocolate and mildly cooked caramels, the balance to the fruits are acheived by complexity and not by bitterness. Hops have a deeply relegated role and offer only subtle bitterness and no obvious flavor. Estery and sweet throughout, this beer is masterfully brewed.

But it might be in the mouthfeel where a couple flaws are revealed. Though the beer carries a malty/fruity sweet flavor and feel, the dryness only does half its duty, leaving a moderate linger of unresolved sweetness on the tounge in a soda-pop kinda way. Though the beer has an evaporative cotton candy texture, the beer's sweetness isn't completely fleeting or dry. The good news is that the alcohols never get in the way.

Delicious and sweet/spicy, this beer is a delight for all Belgian beer fans, particularly those of Chimay Blue, but with a sweetness that trends toward Kasteel Bruin.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 04:27:29 | More by BEERchitect

brystmar

New York

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle into a chalice. This review will mostly compare the bottled version to its on-tap (nitro!) counterpart.

A: very dark brown with one finger of tan head that disappeared quickly. Head was pretty typical for a quad, but nothing like the rich, creamy, nitro head I loved so much from the draft version. Tan lace remains briefly as the drink goes on.

S: loads of rich, roasted malts! The aromas are much more prevalent in this bottled version.

T: malts and a hint of booze up front. Ends with a strong roasted malt finish and some spicy complexity. Much more roasty than most quads, and -- again -- really, really good.

M: full-bodied with heavy carbonation that stings the tongue. This improves as it warms to become slightly more creamy, but it's a far cry from the Guinness-like thick, creamy goodness that the draft sports in droves.

D: exceptionally easy to drink for a 12%, but not quite as good in this department as its nitro brother. Overall, this is an excellent and unique quad now in heavy rotation among my regulars.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2010 02:33:14 | More by brystmar

dgilks

Australia

3.95/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Quite a sweet malt aroma with notes of spice. A small amount of stone fruit adds a nice touch.

Neither hazy nor clear, amber-brown colour with a big, fluffy, light tan head. Decent head retention but next to no lacing.

Mmm, this is interesting. Rounded malt flavour with notes of winter spice, some aniseed and some fruitiness. There is a hint of under-attenuation but the finish is still quite dry. I quite like it.

Medium-full body with high carbonation. Interesting and acceptable but just a little too carbonated for my likes.

A tasty Quad with plenty going on. An interesting yeast profile supports the malt.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2010 07:36:04 | More by dgilks