De Dolle Arabier

Brewed by De Dolle Brouwers
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Diksmuide, Belgium

33 cl, 2008 vintage. Hazy, bubbly orange-amber with 3/4 inch of lasting foam depositing frosting all over the glass. Orange zest and bread in the aroma. Initial flavor is orange zest and toffee, turning sharply to the dry hop flavors that are similar to a menthol-eucalyptus cough drop on the finish. Light body is nearly too fizzy and finishes alcohol-wine dry.

Ci ha messo un po’ De Dolle a conquistarmi, ma alla fine ci è riuscito, con questa fantastica Arabier, dall’aroma delicatamente floreale e complesso, dal fantastico sapore in equilibrio fra sentori di frutta tropicale e una nota di amaro elegante, tutto supportato da un calore che però qui non si trasforma nella cascata di pepe della Stille Nacht. Eccezionale.

Bottle poured into a tumbler. DDA pours very murky and the color of tarnished brass. The head is huge and creamy. This beer smells like sweet melons but has an acidic hay smell as well. The hay is present in the taste as well. This is a unique-tasting beer. I like it but it is quite different than what I anticipated.

Bottle, at least a year old. Aroma very malty with melons, dark fruits, citrus fruits, musty, light fruit syrup/light citrus-fruit juice. Flavor rather astringent with lots of alcohol, very reminiscent to me of fresh Stille Nacht. Fresh, aged, De Dolle continues to be a miss for me.

Bottle. I don’t know how old this bottle is, but it had been sitting at my local bottle shop for at least 2 years, so that’s how old I’m going to estimate that it is. Pours a cloudy brown with no head, just some bubbles. Aroma is quite pungent, lots of raisin and alcohol. Flavor is not as pungent as the aroma, sort of a mellowed combination of the above. Kind of one dimensional and bland and too strong. Not a fan.

Orange hazy in color. aroma of herbs, coriander and spices. Very carbonated. Taste is slightly sour yet sweet and some spice. Finish is a bit bitter. Over all a really good beer from one of my favorite brewers.

Bottle. Overflowing white head, very persistent, medium sized (the waitress claimed it was because the sudden change of temperature).Orange and hazy beer. Good hoppy-erbaceous aroma, with spicy notes. Medium body. taste is bitter (hop), intense and long lasting. Just a little sweet. Alcohol totally hidden.

Bottle. Large frothy white head with excellent lacing. Hazy orange/yellow body. Aroma of herbs, celery and coriander. Spiced. Medium/full body, oily texture, lively carbonation and a bitter finish. The flavor is moderate sweet and heavy bitter - for bitter på den ufede måde.