Malheur 12° - Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV

whirledview

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - deep, dark ruby/amber. Nice carbonation with a bubbley head that settles quickly, but never completely disappears. This is my favorite level of carbonation: it maintains fine bubbles at the meniscus throughout and evenly coats the glass with good lacing on every tilt.

S: not hugely fragrant for me. Faint notes of caramel and chocolate combined with a floral hop aroma. Alcohol is definitely present as is a slightly flowery, estery smell. Maybe a little cherry.

T: Malty, but pronounced bitterness as well. I don't get the sugar that others have mentioned as I find it fairly dry. Not especially fruity for me, but maybe some dark fruits, cherries and chocolate. Strong alcohol on the finish - seems to get stronger as I wait between sips.

M: Medium-full bodied. Good, crisp carbonation.

D: The strong alcohol aftertaste limits drinkability for me, but at 12% it's not surprising. It tastes great though and I'm happy to keep going.

-I was really excited about this one when I first poured and sipped, but now I'm wrecked off my first glass ;-) About half way through the first glass, a strong alcohol aftertaste was getting to me a bit. It's a really good beer though and right in my wheelhouse as I love strong dark belgians. One with slightly less alcohol might be better fit for me though.

750mL bottle served in my trusty chalice

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 00:54:36 | More by whirledview

StoneBrewFanatic

Virginia

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

A - Pours dark brown/red into my snifter with almost two fingers of bubbly tan head that dissipate quickly and leaves minimal splotchy lacing.

S - Tons of sweet candy sugar, rich toffee/caramel malts, banana, raisins, cherries and a touch of alcohol.

T - Similar to the nose; tons of candy sugar and sweet toffee/caramel malts, molasses, dark fruits like cherries, plums, and raisins. Finish is a banana, clove, bubblegum combo with a touch of alcohol.

M - A little on the thin side and super carbonated.

D - Nice quad, really sweet, most definitely a sipper though.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 00:15:10 | More by StoneBrewFanatic

HalfFull

California

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

Small capped bottle poured into a wine glass. Pours a dark brown with ruby highlights and a robust and frothy two inches of foam. This cap cascades down and settles in a few minutes to a light film.

Smell of dark fruits and a good yeast presence accompanies with some spice. Some chocolate and a hint of brown sugar as well with some dark cherry with warming. Classic Quad with some alcohol esters as well, pretty solid.

Spritzy carbonation on the palate brings forth a potent mix of malt flavors. Touch of chocolate blends with raisin/fig and some dark cherry, with a lingering finish offering some well muddled brown sugar/dried fruit notes. Touch sweet in the end but it is pulling a big ABV number.

Good feel. Sweet and strong but complex and inviting and with a well placed level of carbonation. A very good Quad. that has no flaws in my view, lacking a bit in complexity only when compared with the best in the game.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 06:32:12 | More by HalfFull

wagenvolks

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

330 ml bottle into a Stella Artois goblet. Best before 13.11.10 (purchased mid-2008), so I figured this was ripe enough to break into tonight.

A careful pour lends a sizable head with trapped chunks of brown yeast suspended throughout. Glad I saved the last ounce or so, because it chunked up the sink with ease. A steady stream of carbonation fuels the sandpaper-tan foam above a deep crimson body snow-globed by yeast particulates. Killer lacing. Excellent aroma, too, rich with fig pudding and vanilla. Plums, caramel-coated apples, and English toffee round out a thorough nose. Very slight hint of alcohol if you dig deep enough, but the 12% is well-hidden so far.

Rich flavor, as the dark fruit contingent carries through from the aroma to lace the palate with browned apple flesh, plum, and currants. The alcohol makes itself felt on the back of the palate with a hint of boozy sweetness & heat, but at no point is it overbearing. Mouthfeel is creamy and a bit thinner than I would have expected for the style and ABV, but I assume the uppity carbonation level probably has something to do with that. Overall, Malhuer 12° proved to be a tasty Belgian quad that hit the spot on a chilly Austin night. A worthy candidate for the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 04:35:11 | More by wagenvolks

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a bottle at BXL on 43rd in Midtown for $11. Served in a stemmed Malheur glass, it appeared a hazy red with a short tan head. While this beer was a bit of a sipper, I was impressed by how smooth it was for the strength and that it was relatively drinkable compared to other 12% beers. The flavor was dominated by sweet vanilla and plum, with berry fruits and typical subtle Belgian spicing in the background. The hops were there mostly for balance and contributed little to the taste. Heck of a quad, one of the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 15:34:59 | More by tempest

womencantsail

California

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

On-tap at Pizza Port Ocean Beach

A: The beer pours a dark brown color with a finger or two of creamy, khaki colored head.

S: A bit fruit aroma to this beer. Lots of banana accompanied by raisins, cherries, plums, and perhaps figs. Plenty of sugar character in the form of toffee, caramel, and candy sugar. A bit of alcohol is certainly there, too.

T: A ton of banana flavor which is really quite nice. There is still a lot of dark fruit character here along with the typical intense sugar notes of a Quad. Lots of caramel, candi sugar, molasses, and maybe just a bit of roast.

M: The body is medium with a moderate to high level of carbonation.

D: Surprisingly easy to drink and very little booze apparent on the palate.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2011 19:21:04 | More by womencantsail

tbrown4

Maryland

4.6/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Have had good experiences with their other offerings, figured I'd give the quad a try. Bought a single bottle at The Perfect Pour in Columbia, MD

A - Murky dark dark brown. Tall fluffy head immediately after pour, settles down to a nice thin topping.

S - Dark fruits, sweet malt. All as expected. Nice rooty notes, almost bubblegum.

T - Very nice mellow candy fruity flavors. Not a hint of the ABV.

M - Feels thin but coats nicely.

D - I will come running back to this brew again and again. A very nice quad that doesn't taste like a booze bomb.

For the price I think it'd be tough to find a better quad.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 00:43:41 | More by tbrown4

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

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

Nice quad hitting all the right notes.

Presentation: 330 ml brow capped bottle. Malheur branded label in warm, orange and ocher colors, with an overall design as if it were a bad superhero logo. Side notes offer cellaring and serving notes, as well as succinct wording on the characteristics of the brew. Best before date covered with a pricing label from the retailer... Shows Alc. by Vol. (12%) Poured into a snifter.

A - Dark red brown pour, with a generous frothy head, medium retention, fair surface memory and some lacing.

S - Long malty nose, notes of dark fruits, booze, sugar and a yeasty sense.

T - Taste follows with a synchronized sense of malt, long fruity notes, plums raisins, rather yeasty, unfermented sugar throughout.

M - Medium-full body with ample but adequate carbonation, and a creamy sense broken by some dryness in the finish.

D - Pleasing quad, matching and exemplifying style.

Notes: Nice quad, not a flaw other than somehow it feels a notch or two behind grandeur and some of the biggies for the style, either the classics or some experimental ones. Still quite a remarkable and recommendable brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 16:53:15 | More by Daniellobo

metter98

New York

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is relatively clear dark brownish amber in color. It poured with a two finger high dense beige head that has good retention properties. A moderate to high amount of carbonation is evident from the rising bubbles.
S: There are moderate aromas of sweet, dark fruits in the nose along with hints of alcohol.
T: The overall taste is quite complex and similar to the smell with flavors of dark fruits and malty sweetness. There are some notes of alcohol and yeast.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and very smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is a slight bit of warming from the alcohol in the finish.
D: The beer is actually quite drinkable considering its strength because most of the alcohol is masked from the taste. It's definitely one that needs to be sipped given the high alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 03:53:20 | More by metter98

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