Brugge Brasserie Diamond Kings of Heaven

Brewed by Brugge Brasserie
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Indianapolis, Indiana USA

GABF 2006: Clear brown copper color with a beige head. Nice Bretty aroma with big leather notes. Tart and woody. Tart flavor with notes of chardonnay and fruity malt. Light bitterness on a semi-dry finish. No evidence of alcohol. One of my top 3 beers at GABF.

Numerous samples of "JACKO" at the 2009 Indiana Brewers Guild Fest (thanks Mike for the word): Clean light coppery hue with a small but lasting frothy head and spotty lace. The aroma has notes of tart plums and cherry pit, vinegar and lactic acid, oaky, biscuity and a hint of lemongrass and herb mix as well. Nice and invited, there were times I spend 5-10 minutes just smelling this beer. As far has the flavor profile goes, no letdown here. A big WOW of acidic fruit and funky brett, oak and herbal notes, and light handed pale malts. Just incredibly drinkable despite the huge ABV, dangerous I tell you, dry tannic finish rounds the palate into shape. If this beer was labeled Russian River it would be a threat to the ratebeer top 50 or least top 100. Damn good brew and completely changed my mind about this brewery. A WORLD CLASS SOUR ALE, yep it is now A SOUR ALE IMO.

Sample at Indiana Microbrewers Festival - Ahhh this is the good stuff! Aroma of sour Belgian yeast, plum, dark sugar and a touch of smoke. Pours cloudy dark copper with no head. Flavor is sour Brett, dark fruits, oak, coriander and even a little citrus. Palate is super smooth, especially for 12%. A fantastic brew I hope to get more of.

Sample @ GABF 2009. One of the top of the fest. Def a sour & not a strong ale. Apple ciderish looking pour, sharp acidic sourness, earthy, sour candy tartness. balanced & well well done.

This beer is a powerhouse. Much more malt complexity and even some residual sweetness than most Brett ales. Figs, raisins, cherries, toffee, vanilla, plums, this beer has much more of the barrel flavor to it left than just the beasties. The sourness is gentle, just a slight tartness, mustiness, and funkiness, maybe because it is just such a big beer at 12%. Slightly dry and bitter in the finish.

Huge thanks to Mike (Sprinkle) for busting a glass of this out on his birthday. Tasted right out of the barrel. Damn, this is good shit. Pours a murky brown with scant head. Just looks pretty. Garnet; deep scarlet. Lactic, vinegar, sour fruit are my initial perceptions of the beer. Aroma is bright fruit, funk, brett. Taste is lactic, some sweet malt, lots of fruitiness to it and vinegar. Mouthfeel is slick and full. Damn, good stuff.

On tap at the GTMW
Poured a dark hazy brown with a tan head. Musty aroma with some dark fruit notes. The flavor is fruity and tart with a tannic bitter finish. Medium light body. Really nice treat.

GABF 2006. I was damn impressed with the two beers I had from Brugge Brasserie. Copper bodied with a small tanned head. Aroma is Bretty notes, some tart fruits, and wet wood. Taste echoes the aroma - more Brett, some tart fruits, damp basement (wet wood and earth tones) and some dried maltiness. Body is medium with moderate carbonation and some dryness around the edges. Ends with more Brett character, some sweet malts, woody notes and fruit. Really nice stuff!