De Dolle Boskeun

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

7% version on Reading Beer Festival 2 May 08. Pale golden colored. A fluffy white head. Sweet fruity aroma. Sparkling. Far too extreme on the sweet side for me.

De Dolle you amaze me again. I can’t seem to try a De Dolle beer that is anything other than remarkable. Everyone of their beers is chalky with complexity. Both in appearance, palate, and taste. This one is the least sweet of their beers I’ve had, but it chalks up an oily alcoholic thickness that is beautiful and complex covering everything from peaches to laundry detergent, in a good way. These beers deserve better than the high 90’s ratings they get, these beers are made in small 5 gallon batches and should be world class. I really can’t understand why more people don’t rate them in the 4’s. Well done De Dolle, well done.

Bottle shared with Finn. 7% version, according to the Reading Beer Festival’s program. Rocky, light brownish head covering a hazy, amber body. Spicy sweetness to the nose. Candy sugar flavour, in part offset by tart apples and herbal malts. Dry ending with a mild touch of yeast (02.05.2008).

A decent quaffer, but not bordering on greatness, but a decent seasonal product. This has a dense aroma of fresh citrus fruits, just cut open that fresh dancing acidity. Slighty herbal spices, and a very interesting mouthfeel. This really needs to be paired with food, its so much more appreciable. As it warms the maltiness becomes a lot sweeter, the candi sugar really comes out, and the finish becomes quite dry.

Golden blond, effervescent; lush velvety white head. Aroma: hay, horseblanket, nectarine, some alcohol. Flavor: sweet, alcoholic, more sweet. Creamy yeasty feel to it. Bottom half is very cloudy; lots of floaties. I didn’t realize at the time that this was 10%, but that explains why I was out of it for the rest of the day. Like some other DDB beers, this is a little over the top for me.

Pours a very cloudy, glowing, golden-tangerine color. A massive, dense, foamy white head shows excellent retention, leaving thick sheets and clumps of lacing behind. The nose shows a robust blend of candy sugar, dried white fruits, coriander spice, cream, and a funky, bready yeast note. Flavors are again based in sweet candied sugar, with the coriander asserting itself a bit more. Fruity elements are dry and concentrated, yet nearly indiscernible as to particular type. I’m thinking some pear and some nectarine, but I could be off base. The mouthfeel is quite substantial and creamy smooth, but finishing on the cloying side. Spicy, dry yeast lingers in the back of the mouth for a good while. I’m not crazy about coriander spiced brews in general, but this is another winner from De Dolle. When in the proper mood, I could really crave this brew.

Bottle, Beers of Europe. Dig the label. Pours a hazy, light amber with a medium, thick white head. Sweetish malty, aroma with some fruit and spice thrown into the mix.. Smooth and with a nice body, this feels good slipping down. Sweet with lots of fruit and spice. This bunny has bags of appeal.

Bottle. Aroma of light fruits, flavor more in the dark, dried fruit range, most prevalent prune. Not getting overly verbose about this one, a solid brew but nothing that had me jumping for joy.