 Brigadier (1240), Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 16/20 |
Feb 1, 2007 750 ml bottle
Thanks to hezron for bringing this to a tasting. I was suprised to discover that it is not a Top 50 (or even Top 100) beer based on the bottle we opened. Perhaps it was just an aberation but while still a very well made beer it does not do enough to stand out from the rest of the Belgian strong ales to make it one of the 50 best overall. Still, I was glad to give it a try and would not turn it down in the future if offered.
Aroma / Appearance - A foamy billowing head settled into a half finger cover protecting the blood orange tinted body underneath. The nose was very unusual - ginger and nutmeg stand out in a crowded field that also contains cherries, oak and a nutty profile. It reminds me a little bit of Christmas.
Flavor / Palate - A peppery sensation floods the senses. When that settles, it is succeeded by an oaky nutty feel. The mouthfeel is dense and creamy but seems to lack something to put it over the Top into 4.0+ range. This is enjoyable and very well made but just falls a bit short in the end.
beachbum25 (786), Powellville, Maryland, USA
| 4.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 |
Jan 29, 2007 750 ML Bottle. Poured out a reddish brown color w/a moderate off white head. Classic full, sweet, floral, aroma you would expect in a fine Belgian. Sweet initial flavor of raisons, dates, citrus, & rock candy. Comes thru to show a fruity malt finish which balances this beer off quite well. Deep complex multi level flavor you would expect in a fine Belgian & alcohol is quite well hidden. Long sweet finish. Very enjoyable-I’d highly recomend it.
CharlesDarwin (1846), Point Judith, Rhode Island, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Jan 27, 2007 750mL. Spritzy Meyer lemon zested aroma and bold grains of paradise. Earthy and climatic. Lemon grass and white pepper show through. Unique. Amber orange pour. A saison-esque aura full of bold yeasty peppers and some glissandos of lightly oily wheat malt. Over juice browned bananas comes a touch of basil lead. Then a rush of ginger, mellowed with time and maybe some crystallization. More peppery phenols. Grains of paradise kepts drawing me back to an earht humid musk that lingers in the air like a stagnant tropical day. Ginger articulates as if it thinks it’s hanging out with Eccentric Ale. Maybe some maple syrup ebbs in. Palate smacks out with some cumin in the nose and touch of flaming fig. Light grassy bites reel in some balance. 9% well concealed. Delicious and unique, however maybe not a Top 50.
JoeinUccle (902), Brussels, Belgium
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Jan 26, 2007 Bottle at ’t Hemelrijk in Hasselt. Impenetrable brown color, thick and very lacey head. I smell raisins in there, and other sweet, dried fruit. Buzzy mouthfeel doing that tongue-dancing thang. Sweetish taste of malt, fig, caramel, interesting! Lightly dry finish. Alcohol is subtle, as it should be.
hezron (602), Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Jan 25, 2007 Weird aroma! Cola, coriander, orange, lemon grass, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, etc... Heavily spiced and very aromatic, almost perfume-like. Dark amber-brown in color with a few floaties and a thick, off-white head. Flavor is a bit disappointing at first but then it grows on you. Fresh, peppery, orange and ginger spiced flavor, lots of caramel and rich dark malt but not overly cloying. Nice smooth and velvety mouth feel that’s nice and drying. I keep tasting a combination of spices that reminds me of cola. Interesting, complex and easy to drink.
DSG (1513), Tel Aviv, Israel
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Jan 25, 2007 Updated: May 5, 2008Re-rate 4/22/08: Bottle. Best before 2008. Dark brown color with a big long-lasting beige head. Aroma of malt, caramel, dark fruits, some roasted notes and some cocoa. Rich sweet malty flavor with plums and some prunes and raisins, mild spiciness and a bit of alcohol towards the finish. Rather full-bodied. Not a 4.7 like I’ve rated it before but a really great one nonetheless. I need to try another fresh one someday. 8/5/8/4/17=4.2
Re-rate 4/16/07: Had to add a point in "palate" and one overall. This beer deserves better than 4.5. It really is an amazing beer. 9/5/9/5/19=4.7
Bottle. Color is dark brown, with a a large beige head. A wonderful complex aroma, with sweet malts, caramel, raisin, and some more layers I can’t put my finger on.
Great malty flavour with some hop bitterness, dark fruits, caramel and an alcoholic edge. Soft sweet finish. Full body.9/5/9/4/18=4.5
spector (906), Lancaster, Ohio, USA
| 4.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 |
Jan 24, 2007 Dark fruits and sweet malt stands out in the aroma.Pours Dark brown with a reddish tint.Has a good sized tan head.Lots of flavor in this one.Dark fruits,sweet malt and a noticable alcohol presence.Full mouthfeel with a wine like finish.
LilKem (1210), Marietta, Ohio, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 16/20 |
Jan 21, 2007 lots of brown sugar and carmel with a little but of cherry and some apricot and nutmeg
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