 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Aug 22, 2007
Mid 2007 bottle drunk on 7/18/07
Large beige head rapidly falls to ring, leaving no lacing. Clear, dark grape-amber body claims to be bottle conditioned, but the head retention is very poor.
Tacky, Americanized version of a dubbel, with way too much alcohol and about as poor malt depth as you could imagine. It’s like they threw in a caramel chew and one raisin. Apples come out of nowhere and heavily vaporous alcohol ruins the finale. Medium aroma strength.
Biscuity/grainy malts are heavily thinned out on the backend from all of the phenols and alcohol, but begin quite sweet and tacky (caramel, vanilla). Some dark fruits are lightly poignant, but ultimately meld in to the all-consuming alcohol. Absolutely stark mouthfeel with none of the much needed/expected softness/expansiveness of a Belgian bottled ale. Black pepper, clove, light chocolate/roast and alcohol all sting the palate on the end. Did not finish.
I think these guys should give up on the Belgian-style beers....
jameswolfe (91), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Aug 19, 2008 A lot of things about this beer just seem off. It pours mostly clear reddish copper and smells of raisins. The taste is pretty sweet and malty. Too malty, and it doesnt really have that spice of an abby.
nearbeer (1199), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Aug 10, 2008 12 oz. Mostly clear, dark copper beer with a small head. Faint aroma of molasses, bananas foster and slight oak. Tastes of rum, banana, whiskey, raisins, oak, cherry, and a hint of brown sugar and molasses. Medium body is tingly with alcohol, light on the carbonation and dry. Some nice flavors, but they’re nearly knocked out by a little too much alcohol flavor.
Oakes (6819), Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Jul 1, 2008 Bright reddish-brown. Plummy aroma with sour cherries, chocolate. Fruity and sweet, some bubblegum, light spice. Some orange. Some nice nuances but too sweet.
kevd193213 (311), Coventry, Rhode Island, USA
Jun 29, 2008 Bottle. Brown pour with thick tan head. Aroma of fruit and yeast. Taste of brown sugar, citrus and figs. Smooth, sweet finish.
wilkie (1087), Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Jun 23, 2008 Bottle. Pours cloudy amber/brown, with a medium beige head, and good retention. Aroma is dark fruits and yeast: plum, raisin, coriander, candy sugar. Flavor is similar. Nice yeast/malt balance. Not the best of style, but palatable, and tasty.
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