De Dolle 21 3x7 Jong

My # 3400th rating. Shit. Thanks Rene for trading this. 1998 vintage. Pours clear amber with a small creamy white head. Nose is deep. Vinous, matured, dusty, oxidized, yeasty. But it also has a very fruity touch to it. Sherry, vinous and fruity. No doubt it is past its prime but its also obvious that this once was a world class beer. Just grateful for trying this. Thanks.

Beautiful deep golden body with a big white head; Very special nose, old but behind the age there are layers of beautiful elder flowers and berries; Huge carbonation in a very aged body, quite fruity; Even more age in the finish! A beer that has the sense of something once very great.

1998 bottle at Brasserie Erasmus. Pours a hazy, brownish amber hue with a thin tan head. Settling to a swirly film with a skinny edge around the rim, the foam shows some thin sheeting on the glass but leaves no lace. The aroma is quite malty, with brown sugar, dark candy, fig, and both golden and dark raisin notes. There’s a slightly oxidized, sherry like thing going on that works well. Flavors are largely the same, again sweet and fruity with a big raisin overtone, both dark and golden varietals. Hints of plum and candied dates come through as well, followed by a soft sherry heat. Medium-full and lightly syrupy, the palate sports an appropriately soft carbonation. This has held up well over eleven years, but it’s probably not what it once was.

1998 Bottle, at Brasserie Erasmus on Sept 22 2009. Initial pour is a translucent chestnut color, capped with a modest sized off white head. A later pour revealed a large amount of yeast in suspension. Aroma is on the sweet side, with notes of brown sugar, wood, port, and caramel. Flavor is fairly similar to aroma, with caramel brown sugar, and woody qualities, with alcohol becoming noticeable towards the finish. This is showing some signs of oxidation, but was still quite enjoyable. I’m glad I had the opportunity to try this.

Dark golden with a small off-white head. Vineous aroma with spice and licorice. Somewhat oxidized. Sweet and vineous flavour with spicy and fruity notes, and the classic Dolle tartness

1998 bottle at the Erasmus with my missus and the hilariously rude and nice in equal measure bar fella. Felt like smacking him within a minute of arriving and left as friends. Cool guy. Bit of alcohol detected in the aroma that doesn’t carry through to the taste. Caramel, yeast, spice, hops. Smooth and sweet. Sat drinking that with one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Try the lamb in dark beer and chocolate. Life is good.

11 year old bottle at Erasmus in Brugge (thanks Tom!). Clear orangish copper color with a minimal off-white head and some chunks of sediment at the bottom. Aroma is sweet malt, apple, spices, wood, and whiskey. Flavor is complex with lots of honey sweet malt, caramel, apples, barrel notes, whiskey, sherry, muscat, and spices. A little oxidized but still very good. Smooth palate with little carbonation and medium-full body.

Bottle at Erasmus. Pours a clear brilliant copper. Aromas of apple and tobacco. Medium body with sharpish carbonation. Flavor is cognac, roasted malt and green apple. Finishes dry and oaky. Eventually there are raisin notes. It’s aging well.