Abbaye Des Rocs [Brasserie Des Rocs Brune] - Brasserie de l'Abbaye des Rocs s.a.

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.58/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Amaretto and orange blossom - this is hardly brown for a beer labeled "brune". Its head is comprised just mostly of an accentuating contour. In typical Abbaye Des Rocs fashion the beer is entirely polluted with coagulated proteins. It is terribly unsightly and even with a careful pouring technique, seemingly unavoidable. Every ABR beer I've had in the last four years has been the exact same story...

I knew it would take a wonderful bouquet to calm me down and disregard the dreadful appearance; fortunately, this does posses such a thing. Citric and dried fruits are wrapped in fresh cut sugar cane and then baked into some sort of caramel centered confection. This has almost every delicious element one could ask for: citrus, spice, toasty malts, nuts, fruit, and enticing sweetness. I don't care what this looks like anymore...

And the taste is further reason not to. Those same characters that greeted me so kindly in the aroma are quick to pounce on the palate, too. It's an unlikely cast of oranges, mandarins as well as nectarines and peach. It's light colour seems to correspond to a cast of mostly light coloured fruits. The taste of honeyed oats, almond brittle and a delicious caramel coffee cake also pamper the taste buds. I wish I could tell you where all this flavour was coming from.

The beer is fairly sweet and also surprisingly citric. It is not overly rich despite a tremendous flavour profile. Neither bitterness nor alcohol ever factor in. This particular sample (already beyond the posted 'best before' date) attests to not only the beer's aging potential but also the silliness of having to post such a thing as legal requirement. I like to know when a beer is made but may I suggest instead a "best after" date?

This is amazing beer, it just isn't amazing looking. Its flavour is so distinctive that it makes the high price tag and off-putting appearance more than worthwhile. It reminds me exactly of a Grand Marnier creme brulee I once had. I can't say enough that this is delicious beer. If Abbaye Des Rocs could get this coagulated protein issue under control then I wouldn't hesitate to call them one of Belgium's best exports.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2009 20:04:22 | More by biegaman

bskrtz

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -30.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

11.2 ounce bottle, poured into Belgian style chalice, approx. 40 degrees

A) Brown shoe leather, slightly hazy, very little head

S) Root beer & licorice

T: Raisins, sweet & sour candies

M) Flat and thin. Not the best example of Belgian strong ale

D) I had higher expectations for this beer. I purchased a 4 pack and have downed 3 of them over the past 2 weeks. I was dissapointed with the first, so I've waited until the 3rd to complete this review. This beer is lacks carbonation and thus rather flat.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2009 00:49:54 | More by bskrtz

joepais

Maine

3.7/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Thanks go out to joe1510 for this one
750 ml bottle with a best by date of 2010 poured into a chalice produced a small brown head that turned to a light lace. Wow this is the first bottle I have got from this brewery that wasn't a gusher or had floaties. The body of this brew was clear reddish brown in color.

The initial whiff I got seemed a bit sour. Then malts are huge on this bottle, very much overpowering all the other aromas. The flavor is very sweet lots of candy sugar and caramel. This brew had a medium mouth to it with light carbonation exactly what I would expect from a Belgian brown.

Easy to drink I was kind of confused not seeing any floaties in this bottle I will have to revisit this brew some time, not as good as the grand cru from them

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2009 21:29:40 | More by joepais

csmiley

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a murky medium brown with just a hint of red that shows in the light. The tan head was pretty minimal and only mustered about a quarter inch. Retention is average but given the amount of head that is as good as can be expected. Some lacing is present but is spotty at best.

S - A nice smooth malty aroma comes at the nose first. Comes across as toasted bread and pastry dough. That gives way to a white bread and just a little alcohol. Some dark fruit comes in at the very end and stays very mild. Could be raisin.

T - Malt complexities come on go throughout this beer. Fruitiness is more noticeable in the flavor. Getting raisin and fig notes. Very bready in the middle with some strong hints of yeast. Ends sweet with flavors of sweetened tea and brown sugar. Alcohol stays out of the way but still gives a nice smack of heat when needed.

M - Much lighter than expected with minimal carbonation. Finish is sweet and pretty clean for a 9% brew. Really excels in this category.

D - Drinkiability is great for a beer this big. I could quickly put a few of these down before realizing it weighs in at 9%. This one can be vbery sneaky. Nice flavor and aroma mixed with this mouthfeel makes for a winner in my book. Kudos to des Rocs for an easy drinking Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Glad I got to try it and this one makes me look that much more forward to trying the rest of this breweries selections.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2008 03:13:06 | More by csmiley

aerozeppl

New York

4.13/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Cellared this for about 8 months.

A: Chunk city. Nice brown color with minimal white head. A good amount of lacing especially considering the style.

S: Some dates and raisins with a subtle funk. Kind of a tight nose but still there.

T: Very nice sweetness. Tons of dark fruit. A nice but weird mix of yeast and malt.

M: Very nice full medium mouthfeel. The chunks are a wonderful detraction. Very dry in the finish.

D: Very nice. Glad I split this. A nice example of the stlyle.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2008 02:53:55 | More by aerozeppl

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle, $3.99 at Whole Foods in Columbus. The beer is murky reddish brown, no floaters but still a little hazy with a thin wisp of a head. The smell is easy to peg as a product of this brewery, with the classic mix of sweet maltiness, yeasty esters, and a little bit of cough syrup. Actually I don't really appreciate the cough syrup, but it's there in the Abbaye des Rocs beers I've tried, and several other breweries too (Gouden Carolus, even very aged St Sixtus ABT 12). The taste is as good or a little better than the aroma, less cough syrup and more dark fruity esters. Very nice aftertaste that lingers. Solidly above average, more than worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 18:41:17 | More by TurdFurgison

drseamus

New York

4.47/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Chunk city. Somewhat to be expected. Brown body with a thin off white head.

S: Slight funk with big malt. Raisins, brown sugar, dark fruit. Pretty tight nose.

T: Rich flavor. Very malty. Super smooth. Nice caramel sweetness with a somewhat dry finish.

M: Super smooth, medium body, very rich.

D: Great brune. Very drinkable with no hint of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 17:10:58 | More by drseamus

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.9/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 5/16/08. Bottle. Pours a cloudy brown with a small white head (surprisingly without the floaties present in Grand Cru). Aroma of light fruits. Flavor of spices, Belgian yeast, anise star, and molasses. Sweet with a slightly heavy mouthfeel. An enjoyable Belgian strong ale.
7/4/8/4/15 (3.8/5)

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2008 02:53:07 | More by LilBeerDoctor

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a very dark reddish-brown color with a thin, tan foamy head. Nice malty aroma with hints of dark berries. Very smooth drinking beer with a sweetnes that is a nice compliment to the slightly roasted malt flavor. Hints of dark cherries, raisin, prune and fig.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 05:44:43 | More by corby112

tmoneyba

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle on 12/21/2005.

Poured a hazy brown color with a huge frothy light brown head that was fully lasting and produced excellent lacing. Heavy malt, brown sugar and citrus aroma. Medium to full body with a sticky texture. Full balanced sweet bitter flavor with the same long finish with a very small alcohol tone.

Great well balanced brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2008 16:20:15 | More by tmoneyba

nick76

Florida

3.05/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

The aroma has caramel, toasted malt, spices/fruit (orange, ginger), and yeast. The appearance is deep amber with a two finger head. There are lots of floating particles. The flavor is complex and like the aroma. The palate is sticky but thin. The aftertaste is bitter and toasty. Despite the positive qualities it doesn't strike me as great. I am not a huge fan but it's interesting.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2008 05:05:46 | More by nick76

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle.

Poured a medium to dark mahogany color with a large tan head. Bready, nutty, earthy, caramel plums and raisin aromas and tastes. All nice and subtle - working very well together. Slightly sweet. Alcohol very well hidden (hard to believe there's 9% in this one). Very good beer.

Notes from and tasted on 9/17/04.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2008 13:09:54 | More by hopdog

srandycarter

California

3.68/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Best by end 2009

A - Pours dark amber with near white fluffy head. Thin bubbled persistent lacing. Lots of floaties - yeast, I gather, that remain suspended throughout the review.

S - Banana and spices. A little crisp apple too, perhaps.

T - Taste follows smell mostly.

M - Ok, the yeast is discernible as it enters the mouth. Not really into chunky beer. The mouthfeel starts large, coating and carbed but gets somewhat lean at the end.

D - I couldn't drink this for long, with the extra goodies that come with the beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2008 04:25:45 | More by srandycarter

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.98/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in my DFH snifter. Bottle was a gusher. Poured a murky mahogany with a 1.5 inch off-white head the quickly dissolved into a skim with a heavy band around the shoulders; no lacing present during the tasting. Nose was dark fruit (grape skin and plum), caramel and yeast. Taste consistent with nose, but caramel sweetness is much more in the forefront, with the dark fruit in the back; sugary sweet with a little tartness. Also picked up a hint of chocolate somewhere in the mix. Medium-bodied mouthfeel with a tickle of effervescence. Nice belgian strong dark; a very pleasant sipper.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2008 01:50:26 | More by Jwale73

prototypic

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It's very hazy and a dark, caramel brown color with some ruby highlights around the edges. It's capped by a two finger deep, off-white head. Active carbonation shortened retention a bit. A light coat of lace lined the glass.

Smell: The nose is malty and sweet smelling initially. Smells mostly like caramel malts. There's a hint of cherry and dark fruit on the secondary level. It definitely has a yeasty aroma that's prominent throughout. Smells a little spicy, but not quite as much as I expected. There's a bit of leather and tobacco that emerge late. They're more faint than anything. No alcohol is noted. It's got a nice smell, but it doesn't really blow me away.

Taste: Caramel malts are sweet and provide a nice foundation. There's a nice cherry flavor that adds some tartness to it. It has a really nice effect that's not apparent on the nose. There are some light spices that add complexity and depth, but they're unidentifiable (at least to me). Belgian yeastiness is noteable. I really like that aspect. The leather and tobacco notes on the nose are here and are every bit as subtle (and effective). Alcohol is slightly noticeable. All in all, the flavor profile is really impressive. There's a few aspects that really shine here that you can't expect from the nose.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It features a medium body and is very smooth. Despite its active carbonation, it retains a silky, smooth character. Drinkability is very high. This one's going to down way too easy.

This is a really impressive BSDA. I'm unsure if this beer is still in the Top 100 list, but it certainly deserves to be. It's very deep, complex, and flavorful. Probably a little more impressive than I expected. Definitely recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2008 01:48:51 | More by prototypic

bkilpatr

Oregon

4.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 330 ml bottle into a Chimay glass. 09/08/08.

Pours a dark burgundy color with about a finger of bubbly beige head. The head quickly dissipated into nothing, leaving no lacing. Aroma is heavy with toffee, caramel, dark fruits (raisin, fig, date), cherry, sweet brown sugar, and Belgian yeast. Very nice aroma.

Taste is similar to the aroma but a bit less powerful. Plenty of caramel, brown sugar, and toffee, but the dark fruits are not as apparent. They are still there - raisin, fig, date, and plum - just not as prominent. The nice Belgian yeast / bread-like taste is there as well. The alcohol is nowhere to be found in the taste. The only downside on the taste is that it's a bit on the sweet side.

Feel is smooth yet well carbonated. It has a medium body, not that heavy at all. Drinkability is pretty good. The alcohol is not noticeable at all, and it goes down so smoothly. If it weren't for the sweetness the drinkability would be higher.

Overall, a really good Belgian brown ale. A bit pricey ($4.50 for 330 ml), but it's worth it.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2008 02:04:16 | More by bkilpatr

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.58/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours off brown to amber with light tan head.

Nose has black tea aromas, and holiday spices with fruit (chocolate orange maybe).

Palate is cinnamon spicy, medium bodied, tea flavors again, and mixed fruit (passion fruit) is in the mix.

Finish is somewhat on the sweet side, with the carbonation doing a little tease on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2008 04:32:58 | More by yemenmocha

lpayette

Vermont

4.63/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This has been aging for a while, not sure exactly how long. bottle says LOT 2009.

Pours a nice brownish ruby color with an excellent and active head even on a slow pour. The carbonation was enough to unsettle a lot of the yeast. A lot of staying power in this head.

The smell is fruity and just a touch sour. Just a bit of barnyardyness.

The taste is just endlessly complex and enjoyable. subtle notes of sour cherries and other dark and ripe fruits come to mind. A small hint of chocolate overlays. Everything is done so subtle as far as flavor yet when combined it produces a big cohesive flavor that works extremely well.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2008 04:40:17 | More by lpayette

goethean

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Duvel glass. Nice beige quarter-inch head which stays and stays.

Warming. The classic dubbel flavor profile. Lots of ethanol; hot. Raisin/fig/caramel sweetness, with a complex grapey, pinot noir finish. Some bracing flavor hops towards the end.

This is a sipper. The flavor is dense, sweet, and concentrated.

Maybe a few years of cellering would bring out the vinous character that I was looking for.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2008 01:46:01 | More by goethean

jujubeast6000

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed 3/25/2007 (Bottle @ Delerium cafe, Brussels, Belgium):

Pours a lightish brown-red color, good head, diminishing, good lacing, off-white. Grapejuice aroma, sweet, some hops. Not like a Belgian I had before. Sweet taste, not as floral, a little skunky to start, good moutheel. Interesting, maybe aged?

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2008 17:08:26 | More by jujubeast6000

paytoplay

California

4.08/5  rDev -4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance was a bit odd, brown and orange. Didn't matter as this is a solid brew. Somewhat sweet but not persistant as the complexity takes over. Distinct with clove, spice, brown sugar, slight malt and mixed dark fruits. Nicely balanced with some acidity and some interesting funk. I liked the finish. Was out of a 12oz or maybe 33cl bottle. Will be interesting to try later on out of 750ml I have coming. This beer could be aged for several years.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2008 19:07:40 | More by paytoplay

essie

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Westmalle Chalice. It has a pretty, clear dark amber color with an off-white head that disappears quickly. Smells like caramel and fruit. The taste is also fruity with some caramel, but then transitions into more of a malty, chocolatey taste. A very interesting and complex belgian dark!

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2008 18:42:59 | More by essie

santa109

Quebec (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this at L'autre-oeil in Gatineau, QC.

A: Poured a dark brown with very little head despite an aggressive pour into a chalice. The head retention was disappointing as it took about 20 seconds for the head to completely fade away.

S: Caramel, malt and candy sugar are the dominating aromas. Belgian yeast is also present. Hard to really define.

T: Candy sugar and some ripe dark fruitiness. There is also some brown sugar in there.

M: Medium-bodied with low carbonation. Nothing to brag about in this department.

D: This was the best part of this beer. The alcohol made its presence felt but it was really apparent in the taste.

Overall, it was enjoyable despite being hard to define in the smell and taste departments.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2008 20:57:06 | More by santa109

MSchae1017

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this one into a Chimay goblet from the 750mL body. The beer pours a translucent amber brown with an off white frothy head similar to a lattle. The head holds nicely and leaves some lace down the side of the glass from the heavy film over the top of the beer. The smell full of caramel sweetness and fruity esters from the yeast. Sipping the beer displays prune and raisin flavors up front with some caramel sweetness. After a while this sweetness gives way to a slight bitterness that tastes like burnt sugars. Mixed in with this is a slight chocolate taste as well as. The body is medium-full with effervescent carbonation. A nice complex BSDA.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2008 18:09:00 | More by MSchae1017

WeisGuy

New York

3.48/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a - a ton of huge chunkies in this one, I don't mind some sediment, but this was excessive, deep rusty color, huge yellowish head, good retention and lacing

s - rum, sugar, overripe dark fruits, plum, raisins, caramel

t - strong caramel, plum, and raisin, lingering dark fruit and sugar, some booze

m - medium-bodied, lower carbonation, sweet finish, some alcohol warming

d - not overly drinkable for my palate, a bit too sweet, the alcohol isn't overwhelming though

Decent beer overall, but this is the second Abbaye des Rocs beer I've had with chunkage issues. I am drinking this prior to the best by date as well. Not my style, but worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2008 01:39:27 | More by WeisGuy