Abbaye Des Rocs Grand Cru Belgian Special Brown - Brasserie de l'Abbaye des Rocs s.a.

Auracom

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Holy crap I have so many reviews to catch up on. This was my first brew on my trip to New York; had this on-tap at the Old Toad in Rochester, served in a pint glass.

Pours a very dark, amber-like brown with a reddish tone to it (depending on lighting). Off white head is extremely thin with no retention or significant lacing. Looks just alright.

Aroma is strongly of estery fruit and yeast qualities, including caramel and a little breadiness. Flavor is similar - lots more yeast with malty sweetness, some fruit in the vein of tart apple, a little spice, a slight note of some dark fruit. There's an overlying bite to the drink that's kind of surprising.

Mouthfeel exhibits good carbonation, medium body, a longer finish that isn't all that dry, and a bready aftertaste.

All in all, it's just alright for drinkability. The taste is respectable but it's not all that inviting from the get-go and probably not worth a revisit from me. One positive note - had no clue this was 9.5% until just now. Very little abv presence in this drink.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 13:37:43 | More by Auracom

ToAzwethinkweizm

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Date: 8 December 2010
Glass: Standard 8.5oz Cervoise
Type: On-tap

Taken from notes on a coaster. Had on-tap @ Tap & Mallet in Rochester, NY.

Poured into standard cervoise, no head, runny lacing, deep clear brown in color. Aroma of amazing toasted malt, almond, and a sweetness like lactose. Taste was sweet, like milk-sweet, so lots of sugar and almond. Extremely complex. Slight sting, but sweet on the palate. I wish I had more time to write about this beer, as it was SUCH a complex Grand Cru.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2010 18:39:43 | More by ToAzwethinkweizm

Spineypanda

Texas

4.22/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice deep brown, and has little head.
Smells rich, with maltiness and Belgian yeasts. A bit sweet smelling from the candied sugars.
Has a bit of almost a Lambic yeast taste to it, with nice sweet caramel tones. A ton of dark fruit there too.

An enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 02:01:40 | More by Spineypanda

chaz01

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had two six ounce draught servings at a Belgium beer event at Chappy's in Dayton. Served in a little wine tasting glass.

A: Light brown color, thick one inch brown head produces some lacing.

S: Brown sugar and caramel with some fruity aromas. Reminded me of a freshly baked apple pie.

T: Lots of malty caramel flavors, with notes of dark fruits like plums and raisins. A little spicy bitterness in the finish.

M: Medium to full bodied, well carbonated.

D: Would go great with a desert or complex enough to drink on it's own.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2010 01:45:36 | More by chaz01

rye726

Colorado

4.6/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Vintage '05

Pours a mahogany color with a silky tan head.

Nose has dark pitted fruits, caramel, toffee, peppery Belgian yeast and bready malts.

This has aged very well. The complexity has really grown and the balance is near perfect. Raisins, cherries, figs, rich candies, nutty malts and herbal yeast.

Creamy body has a soft carbonation. Fantastic stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2009 21:05:24 | More by rye726

Atron67

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

came to the table in a tulip glass which was more like a chalice than a tulip, no out turn at the end of the glass.

A- dark brown pretty cloudy body, light foamy head, a decent amount of fruity character. big white head on top that lasted awhile

S- lots of fruit and maltiness. low hops. a definite burst of different fruitiness. cherries and raisens seem to be the strongest of them. a light chocolate maltiness is there as well.

T- again alot of dark fruits all over, cherries raisens, peaches. as the fruit flavor at the beginning fades a nice maltiness with dark maltiness come in and there is a really nice almond type flavor on the end.

M- heavy full body with medium carbonation.

D- a great siper and delicious

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2008 01:50:00 | More by Atron67

illidurit

California

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

On tap at The Red in Santa Cruz. Poured into a snifter. Dark amber with tan 2 finger head. Great retention, modest lacing.

Aromas of maple syrup and cherries.

Flavor includes a sourish overripe cherry note up front, with a brown sugar finish.

Smooth on the palate, well carbonated.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2008 09:42:59 | More by illidurit

elmore

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Surly Girl in Short North - Columbus, OH. Came to the table in a Unibroue tulip. Golden, translucent brown with no visible yeast sediment. Nice tight 2 finger head that showed good retention with some lacing.

Not a strong nose, but sweet carmel and toffee maltiness dominated with hints of dark fruit, maybe some cherries. Taste was similar. Not as sweet as the smell and I didn't really detect any hops.

Excellent beer and very drinkable. This really hit the spot.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2008 18:11:47 | More by elmore

ndekke39

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at the Surly Girl Saloon in Columbus. Poured into a tulip glass, the server did a good pour on it. Super hazy light brown color that gleams reddish in the light. Perfect foamy head on the beer, right to the rim of the glass. Aromas and flavors of apples, bananas, heavy yeast (all sorts of sediment in the glass), tiny bite of alcohol, and a definite aroma of sweet white wine. Nice medium body that complemented the crisper flavors in the beer. Overall, a very enjoyable drink. Not as dark as I would have expected from a Belgian Strong Dark, but not disappointing. The alcohol is hidden well, so watch out. A fine example of the style, a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2007 18:54:42 | More by ndekke39

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.08/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Mahaffey's the other night.

This beer pours a very lovely light orange brown color, with decent head and lacing. On the nose I got very little, just a trace of Belgium spice. On the palate this beer was just delicious. The beer was not heavy at all, and quite reminded me of a beer version of sweet milk chocolate, interlaced with Belgium funkiness and spice. Aboslutely delicious. Considering the abv., this beer is remarkably light and drinkable, probably dangerously so. I never would have guessed this was a 10% abv., at least until I walked out of Mahaffey's. (then I certainly noticed it). The beer finishes with a very good sweet finish.

Granted, this beer is a bit simple and a bit more complexity would be nice, but for all that it was a very nice beer to sip on.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2007 13:15:34 | More by johnmichaelsen

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Ortino's Northside...
Appears a a caramel toned dark amber with a small, off white head that quickly fizzles out into a thin collar. Only tiny spots of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is heavenly of brown sugar, ripened dark fruit, melted caramel, raisins, doughy yeast, vanilla, and perhaps a touch of coriander.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with a gentle amount of roasted grain complimenting the sugary flavors with a light citrus hop flowing along.
Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy, sugary, fruity, and semi-dry in the finish. Carbonation is well done and gentle enough to let all the flavors and textures flow evenly.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2006 15:19:23 | More by weeare138

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This ale poured a very hazy, red brown color with light tan foam that settled and clung to the glass a little bit. The smell was malty and fruity with a touch of hops. The taste was malty and fruity with a light sugar sweetness and moderate hoppiness. The mouthfeel was smooth and malty with full body and good carbonation. There was a residual sweetness and fruitiness in the finish and aftertaste. This was a very nice and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2006 17:22:52 | More by UncleJimbo

MiScusi

California

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

Poured from the tap at Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena. Appearance was dark brown almost black with a thick off white head. Lots of earthiness and sour yeast in the aroma. Taste does not differ except some caramel present, hops add a small amount to the finish.. Very drinkable and a nice carbonation gives it a bite.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2006 18:44:32 | More by MiScusi

expatsteve

Wisconsin

4.83/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Deep copper brown with slighty orange edges. Initially poured fairly cloudy with no visibility, but successive pours gradually darkened in color and lightened in visibility. No real head, but a residual film that clings to the beer and the sides of the glass. Light/medium viscosity that hangs brilliantly on the glass.

Aroma: Apples and apricots, with some raisin notes. Suggestions of brown sugar, with a sour malt finish.

Taste: Again, the front and middle palates of this beer changed the three or four times I had it. The first pour was thick and malty, with a front palate reminiscent of a rich sourdough bread. Apricot, plum, raisins, green apples notes. Later glasses had a hard cider finish that was refreshing, if a little suggestive at times of the alcohol content of the beer. Lighter middle palate with subtle almond notes. The sourdough finish relaxed as the beer warmed up, but continued to provide a foundation for the fruit flavor.

Mouthfeel: Crisp finish, low carbonation. Bready finish aded to mouthfeel, as it left the aftertaste earthy rather than bitter.

Drinkability: Light/medium body balances the booze and makes this an eminently drinkable beer. While I enjoyed my first two glass a little more than subsequent ones, it is nonetheless one of the most complex and yet most drinkable beers I've tried. Dangerous, but worth the risk.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2006 03:46:16 | More by expatsteve

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

4.88/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at Maduro in Madison, WI. Poured generously into an oversized St. Bernardus glass for only $3 per.

Appearance: Satanic velvet completely ensanguined within a rouge mantle. Head is tan and creamy, but thin (probably due to the glass). Lacing is above average, mostly clinging to the sides of the glass. Again, I feel that this glass is inappropriate for this beer. It doesn’t agitate enough. Still, the Grand Cru is a looker. The color is undoubtedly perfect and damned sexy. Carbonation is minuscule and compact.

Nose: Balanced and succinct within the aroma lay some very divergent notes ranging from lemon cookies to earth, cinnamon to plums, and sour orange to candied sugar. Everything fits together like a Lego set. Everything screams drinkable. Nothing even whispers “9.5%.”

Taste: Reminiscent of my first experiences with the St. Bernie 12, I have a hard time placing my palate on particular flavors. I am certain of dark and tropical fruits, candied sugar, cocoa, and plenty of spice but this beer is admonishing me not to get into specifics. Everything is so well blended and balanced it has become difficult to distinguish one flavor from another. Instead this masterpiece is all about feel and drinkability. Both it has in spades.

Mouthfeel: No hint at ABV. Full bodied but drinkable as if it were very light. Defining of the term luscious. Velvety. Rich and complex but not overwhelming. Lightly spicy finish.

Drinkability: One of the most drinkable beers I’ve ever had (top 5 of all time drinkable).

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2006 14:23:20 | More by DaPeculierDane

doubleipa

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Taco Mac. This is one of my favorite brews, but this is the first time I've been able to have it on tap. Served too cold. After I let it warm up, it was great. Could really smell the cherries and dried fruit. Nice creamy head with wonderful lacing. Seems quite different than Chimay Bleu, but outstanding in it's own way. Even though I've never rated the bottled version, I don't remember the bottled version having as strong a dried fruit aroma and taste. I'll have to break open one of the bottles that have been in the cellar for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2006 16:33:45 | More by doubleipa

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brown leahter head--tinged with some purple--with a slow developing head that stuck around for a bit. Very rich and deep. Nose is like plunging my head into a candy bowl filled with Deccos. Oh, so sweet smell. Flavor is complex at first, but breaks down very simply. Heavy malt flavor with lots of prunes and sugars. Some cherries and molasses too. Flavor does not cling to my taste buds either but allowed me to enjoy my meal in and of itself as I ate. Mouthfeel was quite medium body, but spread the palate out and was surprisingly a good complement with my barbeque. The alcohol is greaty hidden behind the beer and I hardly notice it until after I feel the effects. Very difficult to separate from my hand as I picked up my ribs.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2005 23:28:58 | More by MuddyFeet

dgallina

Georgia

4.93/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served on-tap in an Abbaye Des Rocs chalice.

Arrived a completely clouded and yeasty pale red-brown. Strong effervescence with a small film of foam and huge amounts of clingy lacing. Smells massively yeasty and fruity; peppery biscuits intermingled with dark cherries and caramel malts. Complex interplay of flavors; zesty spices blended with yeast and abundant sweet cherries dipped in caramel. Finishes with a mellowing grainy dryness. Light, tingly, refreshing in the mouth.

One of the best beers I've had and a pleasingly different experience in the bottle and on-draft. The bottles have more wine-like acidity and are dryer, more champagne-like. The draft is intensely yeasty, with superb cherry and caramel malt notes.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2005 22:04:36 | More by dgallina

goodbyeohio

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

delaney's new haven, 4/17/05

appearance: murky dark orange reddish mess. tight head, one more suited to a nitrous pour. active and busy to the eye. foam is resilient and keeps the beer covered for the life of my drink. tough lace which coats the glass like regurgitated toothpaste spittle.

aroma: apricots come through here, backed up with even more sweetness and a yeast note. no bitterness or sourness in the nose.. strawberry pokes its head out and says hello. much more defined on tap than in the bottle, where it is a fruity conglomeration.

taste: pretty much the same as in the bottle. smoother perhaps with a denser carbonation and more life. all the characters in the aroma come out in full saccharin force, leaving no bitterness, hops, malt aftertaste or anything other than ambrosian sweetness. drinkable when you're talking 8oz sample, 750mls would be a tough feat at this point for me.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2005 22:22:56 | More by goodbyeohio

99bottles

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: On-tap at Monk's. This came in a small tulip and had a nice orange-brown body. The beer itself was quite cloudy, with tannish yellow yeast giving the body a lighter apperance. A fine head of tan lace soon faded to a thin veil.

Smell: This had a very rich nose of sugary fruit like plum, fig and cherry. Some candied sugars and a syrupy sweetness also hint the nose.

Taste: This is intracite. There are so many flavors going on in this beer, that it's difficult to single them out. More of the dark fruit, sweet and also slightly sour, with some help from the spiciness of phenols. A neat burst of tropical esters like pineapple and mango mix into the taste. There are even some faintly bitter hops in the finish. It's unmistakably Belgian with the taste of residual yeast, creamy and satisfying.

Mouthfeel: Good balance for a beer of this much flavor. Never cloying, not overly heavy. Nice amount of carbonation given the body.

Drinkability: Very nicely put together, this beer is satisfying and complex. It's certainly one worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2005 18:18:48 | More by 99bottles

RedDiamond

Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I drank this on tap at the Blue Nile in Minneapolis – a rare opportunity. And yet, this fine brew didn’t present its truest potential to me at that time. I have subsequently revisited this ale and recently drank a corked magnum to give it another chance. The chance was well taken and my effort was rewarded.

First, you gotta love the color. It is the color of a California sunset. It is an absolutely flawless and radiant color except for the profuse slurry of yeasties that make this beer look like a radiant California sunset during a volcanic eruption. The aroma itself is an intoxicating array of dark fruits, allspice, anise, and plum wine. The taste is a forest of sarsaparilla, sassafras, and birch simmered in brown sugar and drenched in alcohol.

This ale hints at brandy and reminds me of something under the tree on Christmas morning, full of rare spice and excitement. A magnificent creation.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2004 20:14:13 | More by RedDiamond

ark57

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A great find at Monk's back bar. It poured a clear, dark brown with some reddish tint and a good light head. The aroma is malty and has a lot of dark ripe fruit. It starts with the dark fruit (plum and raisin especiall) and then it gets a little spicy with some anise and a touch of choclate and caramel. It was exquisitley smooth and went great with dessert.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2004 18:27:04 | More by ark57

truthbrew

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Enjoyed on-tap at the Blue Nile (3/30/04).

Muddy brown color with fluffy, thick tan head. The keg at the Blue Nile was just transported and the beer was quite cloudy. Aroma was minimal but good, malty sweetness was evident. Excellent carbonation level, felt like millions of very small bubbles, not sharp at all. Reminded me of cask conditioned carbonation, though more of it. For a 10%ABV, a very easy to drink and well balanced beer.

Very cool having this beer on-tap, thanks to FeloniousMonk for getting a keg of this for the Nile.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2004 15:59:21 | More by truthbrew

oberon

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What a great chance to have this on tap yoday at a Belgian beer dinner at the Spring House Drafting Room.Pours a rich brown color with a sticky head,aroma was rich and nutty with some nice warming alcohol with some fruity estures.This Belgian Dark has a real nice hop profile to go along with a rich nutty flavor and some spicey/yeasty notes.Glad to finally try this beer and it was on tap to boot.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2004 02:52:08 | More by oberon

drewbage

California

5/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sampled at Lucky Baldwin's in a Moinette glass.

Here's the kicker.. the keg has been in storage since 1998. Woo Hoo!

Glass is filled with a deep brown liquid with light red highlights and almost no head.

Aroma is leather, sour cherries, brown sugar oxidation and tropical fruits with a sweet punch character at the finish.

Flavor is deeply spiced with a light malt and brown sugar and a long ground spice mixed with pineapples, mangos, guavas and oranges.

The finish finally comes with a light sourness to cleanse the palate for the next sip.

As David Farnsworth (owner of Lucky Baldwin's) put it, "This is liquid heaven, is there anything better?" My only response is "Yup.. to be having it in Belgium." Heigh thee forth to Lucky's and get a sip of this, but if you don't do it soon David will have drunk it all. Jeez.. my first 5.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2003 09:20:33 | More by drewbage