Achel 8 Bruin

Brewed by Brouwerij der Trappistenabdij De Achelse Kluis
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Hamont-Achel, Belgium

brown coloured sparkling body with a huches off white head a a malty fruity aroma a malty fruity sweet spicy yeast taste with a sweet alcholic bitter finish

The most commonly known Belgian Trappist breweries are Westmalle, Westvletaren, Rochefort, Orval, and Chimay. In the world of officially recognized authentic Trappist beer is a new upstart, Achel. Formed as recently as 1686, they opened their brewery doors in 1998. Keeping it simple, as the life of a Trappist monk should be, Achel brews three beers: their Blonde, Bruin (Brown), and an Extra, a strong Belgian golden ale or tripel, depending on who you ask. A small quiet Trappistry, they brew their beers the same as they live their lives, with simplicity and beauty. They may be the lesser known and newest Authentic Trappist Brewery, but their quality is of the highest standards. Today I am blessed to be partaking of their Bruin, a heavenly experience like no other awaits.

Mostly clear brown, a shadowy haze adds murkiness to her depths while a rocky head of mousse-like consistency clings stubbornly to the sides of my glass, even as her center fades in pock-marked clumps. Lace, a beer geeks lingerie; such delicacy, such purity, there is nothing else quite like it. Raging towards me is a low-pressure storm of pungent yeast and ripe sour dough, just as a shower of cinnamon, brown sugar, and toffee rains down upon my senses. Prunes, dates, licorice root, and a side helping of warm pumpernickel raisin bread surrounds me even as her storm continues to build. I’ve always said it’s pointless to fight nature, so I willingly surrender to her forces. Effervescent, bubbly, and sweet with moist dark breads sprinkled with brown sugar. Her yeast adds a zip and a punch, tingling atop my tongue and cleansing my palate just in time for the next quaff. Juicy dates, prunes, and raisins give her meat despite her gravity-defying effervescence even as spice and rummy yeast warms my breath. There is always an awesome beauty in the natural forces of nature, just as there is natural beauty in the forces Achel has released upon me with their Bruin. Balanced, clean, refreshing, and rich with all her parts lining up in perfect harmony. Seeing how she comes in 12 oz bottles, I think I shall brave the weather and have another.

Do I really need to profess my love for Belgium and Belgian beer once more…I didn’t think so. No other country can compare when it comes to sheer variety and diversity, though America comes pretty close. The monks especially know how to brew beer so heavenly there is no doubt angels drink it too. Brew on, my faithful Achel Trappists, brew on.

Sampled on 7/8/2009. This Belgian Ale pours deep brown color from a 33cl bottle. Large to medium sized white foamy head with nice retention and decent lacing. The aroma is malty, fruity, banana, yeast and esters. A medium bodied Belgian Ale. The malts are fruity, sweet, with lots of banana esters. The hops are earthy. Nice carbonation. A nice sweet, malty, fruity, estery beer. Very easy drinking despite all that sweetness. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is sweet.

Enjoyed from an 11.2 oz bottle in a whiskey snifter. The beer pours the expected deep brown with perhaps some ruby highlights. The nose is a nice combination of malt-derived notes, along with some burnt sugar residuals, and dark fruity yeast esters. The palate brought a nice strong malt presence, complimented by depth added by the yeast. My only complaint was that the carbonation seemed a touch high, and detracted from the symphony of flavors and aromas put on by the beer’s ingredients. Well done.

Excellent, long-lasting frothy head--actually probably the best example of the style in this respect. This isn’t sugared-up, as some reviews (rather confusingly) assert. Pretty damned near perfect. Grossly underrated, too. I’d take this over a Rochefort 8, even, and that’s saying quite a lot.

Bottled. Brown with beige head. Aroma of malt and dried fruit. Flavor of chocolate, coffee, yeasty fruit and spices.

I drank this beer on a warm day at the abbey where it is made - not only very refreshing, but the place adds to the experience. Good head, nice velvety taste and complex tastes - a true Trappist beer

Bottle. Frothy off-white excellent mostly lasting head. Brown-amber colour. Moderate malty and heavy hoppy aroma. Powerfull fruity notes. Heavy bitter and very fruity flavor. Long spicey heavy bitter finish. Creamy palate. Good stuff.