Carlsberg Semper Ardens Abbey Ale

Brewed by Carlsberg Brewery
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Copenhagen, Denmark

(Bottle 70 cl) Bottle #3261. Hazy, dark coppery colour. Fruity, yeasty nose. Very full-bodied with all the obvious notes of roasted malt and caramel with an almost vinous edge. Gets better sip by sip as it slowly warms.

Bottled. Sweet over ripe apple and carbonation. So not much going on there. Copper color, beige small head, good lace. Sweet, light bitter, raisin, ripe apple, bit earthy, very soft. Nice ale but not great. Is this really supposed to be a dubbel? Where is roastiness or licorice?

Dark red-brown with thin white head. Spicy aroma with notes of almonds, banana, cellar and dried hops. Spicy flavor with notes of almonds, chocolate and peppe.r

Bottled (BB 12/2005)
Hazy but brown, mostly vanishing off-white head. A bit sahti-like juniper - sugary nose. Some Belgish brune-like notes. Yeasty sweetish. Alcohol is not much present. Abbey ale -style is found here but otherwise slight dissapointment.

Carlsbergs shot at belgian beer -- quite well done, dark, chocolate and caramel with a hint of fruit!.. but still, the belgians do it better!

Bottled. Dark red colour. Initially huge, but quickly diminishing head. Chocolatey, vineous aroma with hints of marcipan. Chocolatey, caramelly, vineous taste with a good dose banana. Chocolatey and banana aftertaste. Medium- to fullbodied. Hides the alcohol very well. Good one. Thanks to joss for this one.

The first thing that struck me with this offering is how quickly the head vanishes -- indeed, in a Trappist glass it was never allowed to form properly, though performing somewhat better in a pint glass. Sounded awkwardly like a pop being poured. Quite a bit of bubbles in there, an overwhelming taste of alcohol considering the very modest 7.3%, but decent enough spicy impression. Maybe I caught a poor bottle, but this fails to leave too much of an impression. I’ll grab me an SA Christmas Ale next -- if only I could get my hands on one this time of year...

Bottle, at home. Sweet taste of burnt malt, chocolate and cassis. Brown with off-white head, quickly disappearing. Sweet and though bitter, long duration.