De Dolle Dulle Teve 10º (Mad Bitch)

Brewed by De Dolle Brouwers
Style: Abbey Tripel
Diksmuide, Belgium

September 11. 2005. Indian summer evening, the fire roar in our outdoor fireplace, the dogs snore around us, the last clutch of the barnswallow babies started to fly and are hunting a before-bed-snack. Mother nature is saying goodnight, the darkness comes, the moon is a giant, half orange, the stars are lit - and life isn’t exactly the worst you have.... Oh, sorry, it was the rating, this was all about, wasn’t it?? It’s warm amber with a lot of chunky sediments. The head is huge and creamy, leaving large islands of foam and lace. The aroma has a lot of sweet fruits, among others: Oranges and tangerine. The mouthfeel is oily with a hint of alcohol warming the tongue. The flavour is like the aroma plus a lot more in a nice and complex entirety. The finish is slightly bitter with a touch of citrus. It’s a nice triple, but IMO not one of the quite big ones.

Wow I was in for a big surprise. This is in my humble opinion right up there with the best Abbey Tripel that I have sampled. Initial appearance of head was huge light rocky white that mostly diminished. Body was very cloudy with moderated particles in flow. Color was golden orange. Aroma was extremely complex with an array of different notes. Cloves, overripe banana, citrus, orange peel, some spice and pepper, toffee, fruit, candies. Flavor feels medium bodied, but this is only because the alcohol is so well hidden. Texture was light dry with some alcoholic warming feeling in stomach. Nice dry and playfully sweet finish. Amazing how this beer can be 10 % and still be as easy to drink. It goes down so smooth. Unheard-of in my book!

Bottled. A dark golden/orange beer with a good white head. that disappears quickly. Spicy, winey and fruity notes in a complex aroma. The flavour is above all sweet and fruity with the alcohol that warms you well. Soft mouthfeel and very strong body, the aftertaste is long and quite bitter. Usually I am not a big fan of the pale belgians but this one rocks! A must like all the other products of this brewery.

Bottle. Pours a hazy golden yellow with a huge thick white head. This clings to the glass. Very citrus like aroma with a bit of sweetness lingering. The flavor is great. Sweet citrus with a slightly tart finish. This lingers well on the palate. There is still foam residue on the glass when I finish! Very well put together beer.

Bottle from Beer Mania. Lambic-like citrus smell. Big bubbles, firm head over a muddy golden ale. Spices - vanilla, cardamom, cloves, citrus fruit, a sweet malty base underneath this. There could be some more hops to balance this beer, as it lands on the (almost sticky) sweet side. So, a mighty fine beer, while not perfect. But they are working on it, and top score for daring to go new roads.

Bottle, 33 cl. It was a long time ago i’ll taste this beer. Dark blond to light amber color with a white head. Aroma is wheat, orange ?, yeast. Flavour is yeast, alcohol, orange, sweet, and little spices. Full body. Taste is sweet but not too, good bitterness en dry end. The best we drunk yesterday.

Pours into a Trappist glass with a gigantic white head that leaves sudsy lace and a bright, light golden color with some sediment at the bottom. Aroma of yeast, bread, vanilla, mild fruits. Smell is pleasant but subdued. Has a smooth, tingly mouthfeel with some alcohol in the taste and a little bitterness. Good.

Bottle. Golden hazy colour with a lot of sediment and very large head. Spicy flavor but too much alcohol. Nice lasting aftertaste. Much better this time. I’am more familiar with high alcohol beers.