Nostradamus - Brasserie Caracole

chodinheaven

Maryland

4.55/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A nice hazy ruby reddish brown colored beer with a big head on top that dissapates pretty slowly, leaving a bit of lacing with it. The head is foamy and a light tan in color. The aroma is subtly fantastic, slightly vinous with a nice sweetness from some dark stone fruits. A hint of chocolate floats through as well. A bit of booze evident in the aroma giving it that vinous quality that works really well with the chocolatey dried fruit aromas. Very pleasant, could sniff this all day.

Very pleasant tasting as well. It has the Belgian qualities of fruity yeasty flavors, with a background of caramel and toffee malt flavors that are brown ale-esque. Definitely a bit of bubble gum that is very Belgian in character. The fruitiness is remeniscent of this and cherries, maybe even a hint of apple or pear. Almost barleywineish even, but then in the end it drops off and returns to that toffee flavor and is distinctly just a brown ale on steroids. Some light cidery notes follow through from a the touch of booze that is most evident in the back and breath. This doesn't detract from the beer however as the booze is actually pretty well hidden by the fruity playfulness for the most part. Farther down the bottle, the hops become more evident and balance out some of the sweetness with just a faint touch of bitterness, just rounding out the beer very nicely. The mouthfeel is subdued for the first half of the bottle, finishing soft and smooth despite the crispness of the initial tasting. In the bottom half, a touch more carbonation and effervescence is evident, but the smoothness remains overall.

Definitely a sipper and one to share with friends, but make sure you get a good cross-section of this beer. The top half is a bit different from the bottom as the yeast sits down there. Also definitely let this one warm up to close to 55 degrees. This seemed ideal for all of the characteristics of this beer to shine. Great beer, definitely recommended by me.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 04:02:56 | More by chodinheaven

ArrogantBastage

Maryland

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml corked and caged bottle poured into St Bernardus chalice

A: Pours a deep, rich brown with notes of garnet on the edges. Head is dense and off white that slowly fades to a thin ring.

S: Aroma is rich with figs, raisins, and dates. Sweet malt hides in the background along with alcohol and slight cherry.

T: Smooth with a mellow malt sweetness that is loaded with dried figs, raisins, plums, dates, cherries and walnut skins. Alcohol makes it's presence known with it's warming effect but only so in the finish. Very light bitterness makes its appearance in the finish.

M: Medium body with a carbonation level that causes the beer to take on a creamy feel.

D: Fantastic brew that I'll have to visit again. One that can be shared with friends or saved all for yourself.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 18:17:55 | More by ArrogantBastage

Beer4Baltimore

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

best before end date of 2012
A - dark brown with a reddish tint and a one finger head that leaves slight lacing.
S - sour cherries with a sweet background.
T - very much in line with the smell. A slight bit of tart with a sweet cherry yeasty base.
m - clean, medium body with good carbonation. Leaves just a touch of coating behind.
D - easy drinking but sipping and warming will bring out some more fruit notes.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 23:48:43 | More by Beer4Baltimore

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer appears relatively hazy and sunburst orange to ruby in color with a half inch of thick beige head that leaves plenty of lacing in its wake. The aroma brings cherries, malt, yeast - lovely. Sweet cherries balanced by classic Belgian yeast strain and a strong malt backbone. Great stuff. Some lingering alcoholic warmth in the finish. More sweet than sour for sure, but a subtle tartness keeps the sweet aspect (tempered by a delicious Belgian yeast strain) from ever becoming cloying. Cherries and yeast are the star of this show. A beer I will definitely have again. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 21:15:55 | More by Huhzubendah

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Huhzubendah for sharing this, thanks Matt

Pours a reddish brown color with a one finger cocoa head. Decent lacing on my New Belgium glass. The nose is raisin, rum, plum, cherry, and a slight sourness to it. Really complex and well done. The taste is nice, almost a Flanders red vibe or old bruin vibe. A sweet candy flavor as well in the taste. Feel is medium full with sweet candy/sour finish. Very complex in all aspects. Overall, a great beer, although I think it's listed in the wrong style. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 21:06:22 | More by jayhawk73

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a nice looking dark red color with a light tan colored head on top. the smell of the beer was soft with some dark fruit and roasted grains on the nose. The taste of the beer has a little bit of a tart flavor in it with some sweet dark fruits in there too. It's also got a dry bitter aftertaste. The mouthfeel of the beer was pretty good, it had a decent amount of carbonation to it. Overall it's not a bad brew at all, I would drink it again sometime.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 03:36:54 | More by Knapp85

Hex92

Virginia

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

My favorite style, and this is a pretty tasty representative.
A- looks hood, but the head dissapated quickly.
S- I wish I could put my finger on it. It has a distinctive smell, but I just can't place it.
T- I likre this beer a lot. Very tasty. All the usual flavor you would expect from the style, but it reminds me of Paulaner Salvatore too. Very interesting.
M- maybe a bit thin DD, but not overly so.

Overall a good beer that I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 03:19:48 | More by Hex92

dorianmarley

Ohio

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

Appearance is murky brown with a perfectly thick head and very nice lacing.

Nose is plenty of spicy yeast and sweet malt. Also has a strong raisin smell, with cola and bread.

Taste is similar to most Belgian Strongs: plenty of grape, fig and sweet malt; breadiness all the way through with a splash of cola.

Mouthfeel has very smooth with medium carbonation. The alcohol has a nice warmth.

Overall, it is a fine Belgian Strong.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 23:31:12 | More by dorianmarley

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

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

APPEARANCE: I love the Belgians when they dress up a strong dark brown ale with colorful drawing of gnomes, elves, or cartoon nymphs. You can enjoy a wonderful little fantasy scene on a dark blue and red label.

The cork on the liter bottle popped and heavy smoke floated over the rim. The very dark brown beer was poured into a big St. Bernardus glass chalice. It's dark brown and murky with a nice head nothing special as Belgium beers go anyway.

TASTE: Heavy flavored fruity flavored beverage here with a sweet after taste that lingers nicely. The strong flavors really socked it too my taste buds. It reminded me of my 1st Guinness or something. Good carbonation. This is what I am learning is a classic wonderful dark Belgium ale.

AROMA: A strong fragrance of dates, raisins, plums that sort of thing.

Provided you like St Bernardus Abbey 12, then you will likely be pleased with Nostradamus. Hopefully, American pubs in a few years will be stocking more brews like this. May change the entire atmosphere of the American pub scene.

In any event this beer goes down well with Vivaldi's Four Seasons or some nice Bach piano music by Glenn Gould The Goldberg Variations.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 04:26:30 | More by frankiepop

taigor

New York

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

Poured into tulip glass.

A - Poured dark brown cloudy color with huge off white head that slowly dissipated leaving lots of lacing around the glass.

S - Bready yeast and malts dominate the scent with hints of dark fruits.

T - Starts off sweet due to brown sugar and dark sweet fruits like raisins, plums and figs. Then yeast breadiness follows with caramel and malts.

M - Medium bodied with high carbonation.

O - Exceptional BSDA that I would highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 16:07:16 | More by taigor

StJamesGate

New York

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

Clear oxblood with good fizz and a creamy flan-colored head that leaves trails immediately. Canada mints, bubble gum and cola make a sweet nose.
Coffee liqueur, licorice, prune juice and a bit of port, a clove hit and nutmeg end with some wood.
Brown sugar finish and sappy linger.
Fizzy, medium to full, very chewy, no real heat.

Labelled as a "Wallonian brown ale".

Big, viscous, sweet ale. Intricate dark flavors, but I find myself wishing for something that would cut through them. The cloying eases off after it opens, but that takes a while. But very round, a good by the fire beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 23:39:52 | More by StJamesGate

impending

California

3.9/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750ml into a tulip. Pours a deep copper garnet, beautiful when back lit. Towering dense light tan colored head recedes slow leaving clumpy froth.

Aroma is spicy, upbeat and clean. Thick with a dab of a fragrance ingredient. Clove, ginger and a confectioners apricot.

A jumble of flavors tumble about, dark fruity bread with grape skin. A balanced dry. Subtle alcohol serves as a flavor component. Aftertaste begins as if it is about to show sour but stops shy. Thin to medium bodied lively mouthfeel.
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 04:15:45 | More by impending

claytong

Vermont

3.85/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

appearance - very bubbly dies quickly. lacing is sad. brown and thin looking. a bit nervous.

smell - okay, i got my money's worth. smells more like an english barleywine with candi sugar and obviously thinned out. lots of alcohol, and a bit of grain.

taste - alcohol especially as it warms, candi sugar, brown sugar, light malt, molasses?

mouthfeel - light as hell body, decent carbonation. way too thin. not impressed here

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 03:25:11 | More by claytong

paxchristi

Missouri

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz. bottle into tasting glass. Purchased from Trader Joes in Des Peres, MO.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown, almost PURPLE color. Thin, fastly dissolving head. A unique looking beer indeed!

Smell: Ester alcohols, dark fruits (plums, raisins) are the most obvious flavors at the front. I also catch a hint of very ripe pear and some berries. Underneath it all is some chocolate undertones that coat the fruity flavors. Its almost "black foresty." Stuck in the middle are some fairly dark malts. Impressive.

Taste: The flavors blend so well that it hides the esters, but still leaves a bit of a warmth in the throat. But the nose justifies the taste. Very complex. Its not really my favorite of flavors, but I can respect it for what it is. At the end is a certain nuttiness that gives a fitting end to its dizzying body.

Mouth: Oddly enough, high carbonation gives the beer the illusion of being lighter than it actually is. I bet one could put away one or two more of these simply because of this.

Overall: You know, this really is a complex, dark strong and interesting beer. The flavors go together so well, but they are flavors that I do not necessarily prefer. I might return to this one one day (as its a regular at my Trader Joe's). However, I do not think that this beer justifies a $18 price tag for a four pack.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 18:51:21 | More by paxchristi

Nerudamann

Arizona

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

Poured from a bottle into a goblet glass.

Look - deep and dark brown in color, a little murky, with about a finger's worth of light khaki-colored foam that dissipates somewhat quickly.

Smell - richly malty, with hints of chocolate and molasses. Maybe a bit of a roasted quality.

Taste and Mouthfeel - malts are rich indeed, and alcohol is very much present. Maybe more so than what I've notice from barleywines. Also here there seems to be a chocolate or molasses like syrupy taste. Mouthfeel is warming, and texture is very well balanced!

Overall - VERY interesting brew, and definitely worth the taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 03:03:12 | More by Nerudamann

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

4.83/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Even before opening the bottle, the sediment at the bottom hints this is going to be something special. The bottle categorizes this as a Belgian Brown Ale. Upon opening the bottle, an aroma of brown sugar penetrates the air. The aroma becomes stronger upon pouring. The color is of the ale is a murky dark brown with visible sediment that scatters about the bottom of the glass. The taste is a unique sweet and slightly sour flavored brown ale. A brown sugar flavor stays on the tongue, melting into a sweet aftertaste.

Nostradamus is a very good Belgian where the flavors of the yeast shine. It is not too thick or "syrupy". It also provides the health benefits of the sediment.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 15:45:45 | More by JohnnyHopps

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

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

Pours a solid dark brown with garnet highlights when held to light, smallish beige head sticks around but slowly becomes a cap on top. Caramel, prunes, burnt sugar, dark fruits fill the air as soon as I pop the cap on this bad boy. Sweet dark sugar malty aroma with nary a hop in sight, er ah smell. Taste is sweet, caramel, brown sugar, dark pitted fruit fill the palette. Hints of warming alcohol come and go but help to break up the sweetness. Has some doppelbock qualities to it. Thick body with a modest level of carbonation and a sweet almost syrupy mouthfeel. Great Belgian Strong Dark! I might have to see if I can get this locally.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 00:26:20 | More by johnnnniee

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled on August 14, 2011 during the Julio's Liquors Belgian Beer Festival. It pours someplace between dark copper brown to dark amber with a moderate head. What surprises me is that along with the candied malts there is a rather nutty sensation on the nose. The body loses its structure when I swirl it on my tongue. The taste is similar to the aroma with a more blatant nutty sweetness up front and a dry, hop bite at the end.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 20:59:03 | More by puboflyons

avaldivia

California

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap at the Coddingtown Whole Foods Tap Room is Santa Rosa.

A: Dark milk chocolate brown color. Very cloudy. Nice thick brownish colored head which leaves very nice lacing.

S: Caramel, a little bit of spice. Some dark fruits begin to appear as the brew gets to room temp.

T: Dark fruits. Sweet caramel. very nice, with a little bit of hops bitterness. At the end, you get a hint of alcohol.

M: Surprisingly smooth considering all the flavors and smells. Good carbonation. About what you would expect.

O: Excellent. I will pick up a bottle, if I can ever find it, when i see it. I really enjoyed this guy.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2011 04:44:10 | More by avaldivia

tito42

Missouri

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 11.2 oz. bottle to a Boulevard tulip. Best by 06/07/2012 stamped on label.

A: Unfiltered and chestnut in color. A decent tan head leaves nice lacing.

S: Plums, coffee, chocolate, and toffee.

T: Complex and lovely. Plum and apple up front with malt throughout. A touch of coffee, nuts, and chocolate. A nice kick of alcohol at the finish to let you know this is certainly a strong ale.

M: Medium-to-heavy bodied, creamy, and warming.

O: I love the complex taste. A lot of strong flavors coming together. Sweet without offending. A strong alcohol presence that warms more than bites. A very nice ale!

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 03:09:28 | More by tito42

bierkoning

California

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Strong!

Wonderful!

Chocolate, coffee!

Pours dark, very dark, smells wonderful of coffee and chocolates. Would make a terrific dessert beer (which is what I enjoyed it!)

tall tan head that dissipated pretty quickly.

No alcohol detected.

Decent mouthfeel, not too carbonated at all, but not exactly silky.

I would definitely drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 23:46:09 | More by bierkoning

rvdoorn

Netherlands

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look: the beer pours dark brown-ruby color with a nice light-brown head.
Smell: Roasted malts, lots of fruits (plum, pear apple), caramel, dark sugar, and yeast
Taste: Dark fruits, slight sour fruits, nuts, malts, brown sugar, some spicy cloves. Quite some alcohol in the taste
Mouthfeel: medium-high carbonation and a creamy body
Overall: Not bad, not great

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 19:56:05 | More by rvdoorn

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

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

A: 3/4" mocha head over cloudy brown liquid.

S: Powerful aroma of malt and yeast.

T: Bitter at the start with a sweet malty finish.

M: Medium viscosity with a medium level of fine carbonation.

O: A tasty Belgian Strong Dark Ale which has an interesting taste profile by how it starts bitter but ends sweet.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 00:42:10 | More by DaftCaskBC

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another Caracole bottle from mmurphy525, thanks Matt. 330ml bottle into a tulip.

Pours a very dark mahogany, with some muted ruby highlights visible when held to the light. Foamy cream coloured head, with some mild retention and minor lacing. Nose of dried fruits, some raisin and dates, faint grapes, brown sugar and some sweeter notes. An almost roasted quality with a touch of vanilla. Taste holds some brown sugar, caramelized dark fruits with a relatively substantial alcohol punch. Lighter chocolate notes, and the mildest of metallic notes. Medium full feel with a significant effervescene. Alcohol stings and clears the nostrils here, and really impedes its drinkability. Maybe something I should've saved for the winter months.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 18:32:07 | More by liamt07

AgentMunky

Alabama

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

Served in a Duvel tulip glass at Semolina in Charlottesville. From notes. Reviewed 2 June 2011.

A: Very dark. Reddish glints in the light. Translucent, but opaque. Nice creamy head with okay retention. Nice lace. Impressive.

S: Lots of alcoholic sugars with loads of fruit. Very deep, strong, and rewarding -- it honestly smells like a quadrupel.

T: Big and delicious. It *tastes* like a quad. Huge fruits. So sweet and quite strong. I love it. Almost winey. I love it. It's almost winey. Drying on the end, with perhaps a touch of hops sneaking in? It's at least slightly bitter. Great balance and never cloying. YUM.

M: Big, round, smooth, a bit of pizazz and a chalky sort of dryness on the aftertaste.

O: Fantastic beer. It merits my highest recommendation. I would go out of my way to look for this beer. Simply magnificent.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2011 21:17:10 | More by AgentMunky