Achel 8 Bruin

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

A deep red slightly cloudy beer with a fine head. The aroma is slightly fruity - a little disappointing for a trappist. The flavor is very light - also for a trappist - the flavor is very complex - with notes I can't figure out. And the flavor lingers for a long time. A nice beer - but far from as good as other trappists.

(Bottle 33 cl) This one has been in my stockroom for at least a couple of years. Almost orange brown color with large quantities of impurities. Sweet with an underlying bitterness, which lasts all the way to the palate. Not particularly full-bodied despite the strength. And not particularly refined either. 221104

33 cL bottle. Pours murky brown with dense little off-white head. Aroma is mild Belgian yeasty, light fruity and mild caramel malty. Not a very pronounced aroma in anyway - but not faint either. Light fruity lingering flavour, solid plum to medium sweet raisin note. Light yeast spiced note and a very subdued caramel malt note towards a mild hint of chocolate smoothness. Ends with a light bitterness and a complex fruity mix.

Deep ruby. Complex ose with notes of dried fruit. Malty and reasonably dry. Lingering flavours of fruit, berries and toffee, and complex all the way thruough to the dry and salty finish. Perhaps the rumour is true that one of the brewers from Rochefort is now brewing at Achel?

Bottle. Brown color with nice tan head with good duration. Aroma is fruits and spices. Taste is fruit, spices, caramel and some roast malt.

Bottle. Malty aroma, hint of brown sugar. Dark chestnut brown colour. Big stable creamy light brown head. Flavour of malt and brown sugar. Very late peppery aftertaste. A bit high in carbonation, but after a bit of a shake, the mouthfeel is nice and soft. I do not find this as complex as other Trappists, but it is very nice indeed with its perfect balance between maltiness and alcohol.

Bottled. Hazy nut brown colour with reddish hints, beige foamy head. Bananaish aroma, very sahtilike. Bananaish malty flavour with hints of raisins, toffee and hay. Sticky mouthfeel.

Brown colour with a huge beige head. Nice sweet aroma with notes of nuts, spices and dried fruit. Sweet flavour with notes of dried fruit, nuts and a bit alcohol. Well balanced bitterness.