Malheur 12° - Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV

lenin

New York

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tried this beer on a recommendation of the manager of the Bier Temple (sic) in Brussels. After (almost) clearing them out of Westvletern and seeing her excitement over my (easy) decision, I asked to hear about some of her obscure favorites. This was one among a couple tasty bottles and I wish I bought more. Yes the label is ugly -- looks like an amateur was let loose with photoshop and an inkjet printer, but the insides make up for that.

Appearance: poured into a wide mouth chalice, dark chocolate lab brown with off white (tan?) head that dissipated quickly.

Smell: alcohol is up front with malt and spices.

Taste: alcohol, alcohol, alcohol! At the first sip, the alcohol envelopes the mouth. At around 12% that's no surprise, but at this level it was a shocker. Many other flavors present as well; nutty maltiness. Exactly what I like, but not for everyone. Did I mention the alcohol?

Mouthfeel: dense cream. Huge.

Drinkability: Drinkable, not driveable. I could drink this all night, but it's not for everyone. This is a pretty big beer and with the alcohol notes being strong as they are, a lot of people would dislike it. Regardless, anyone loving it would feel the effects after two in a row.

Bottom line: loved this beer, it's exactly why I've fallen in love with Belgians after living in the Netherlands for a year. Buy it if you can find it!

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2003 08:34:59 | More by lenin

stoutstevie703

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
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

jhl1908

Denmark

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A 0.25l bottle? I suppose the 12% alcohol make the size just right.

Colour: Dark brown with beautiful tan head.
Smell: Dark malts with a sweet tone.
Taste: Round sweetness with a long slightly bitter aftertaste to finish.
Mouthfeel: Warm, and welcoming.
Drinkability: I drank it in an hour or so, and enjoyed every sip of it.

When I started it was a little to cold, and when I finished it was a little to warm.
But all the way it was an absolute pleasure to drink, and quite interesting to witness the development in the taste, smell and body as it got warmer.

One of the best Belgians I have had the pleasure to drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2006 13:35:53 | More by jhl1908

whirledview

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
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

tonib2055

California

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Has a dark copper color with a cloudy sediment. 1 finger head that remained to the end.

S - In the nose there is plum and cherry apparent mixed with the scent of the alcohol

T - This beer has a sweet barley-winesque flavor that is fruit forward with a very modest finish.

M - moderate to low carbonation, smooth

O - I found this beer enjoyable. While the alcohol is apparent in the nose I did not find it overwhelming in the flavor. The finish was the highlight of this beer for me because it leaves your palate with only a lingering flavor. This made me want more.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2012 04:34:50 | More by tonib2055

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

Mysteric

New York

4.7/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

An outstanding Quad. I got this from the beer of the month club and I have to say they saved the best for last (Decembers issue).
A well rounded great tasting beer.I have tasted most of the quality Belgians and this rates right up there with the best. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2008 13:56:18 | More by Mysteric

jlcts

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had this beer twice and it was two different beers so here's 2 reviews.

First time-bottle from Belgium purchased through beerboxx.com
Great beer. The only thing I could compare it to was Westvleteren12. Great smell, great dark fruity flavor, a touch of good warming alcohol to it. I wanted to sip it all night. Poured into a tulip and it had little foam that stuck around throughout.

2nd time- bottle from a case I purchased through a local distributor. Poured with a HUGE head, couldn't even fit it in one glass. Compared to the first the aroma and flavor were practically non-existent. Just awful really. For kicks I opened a bottle and just let it sit on the counter. It foamed to the point of having a nice puddle around the bottom.

So if it's like the first bottle i had, A+. Otherwise F. I rated the first bottle clearly.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 18:48:40 | More by jlcts

chiefhabeb

California

3.58/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Head poured thick with tiny bubbles. Dark Dark beer, and the beads stuck around as I drank.

Nice aroma, with a bit of caramel and sour dough. The taste is a little on the alcoholy side with a sharp aftertaste. Not the best in the world, but a solid, above average quad. Bubbly in the mouth, which lingers for quite a bit. Overall a nice beer

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 02:50:54 | More by chiefhabeb