De Dolle Dulle Teve Special Reserva

Formerly brewed at De Dolle Brouwers
Style: Abbey Tripel
Diksmuide, Belgium

Aroma of caramel, dried fruit, vanilla, oak, oranges, a touch of sourness and even chocolate. Very aromatic! Cloudy, muddy yellow with a thin head and a few floaties. Flavor is sweet, rich, chocolaty, vinous with dried figs, a touch of oak and very subtle orange. Medium-light body, high carbonation, sweet but with a nice, dry finish. I love this stuff! Thanks to malachi for sharing.

Big thanks to boboski for this one. Poured a slightly cloudy straw color with a thick white head. Aroma is somewhat alcoholic with traditional sweet/spice tripel characteristics, but with some added tartness. The tartness manifests in the taste, amplifying the dry finish. Not far from the regular Beotch, but the minor nuance is very interesting which is remarkable for a tripel.

"Aged in Calvados Casks 2003"

A murky, rust-colored body is peppered with flaky chunks of yeast while a lively, white head fades quickly above. Although tannins remain throughout, a vinous, vinegary persona fades from the aroma to reveal a tart apple and grape fruitiness conjoined with a strong malted base. Alcohol comes across strong late. A sip finds a fluffy mouthfeel with cheek-pinching astringence (it doesn’t feel like aging has reduced the Bitch’s carbonation, despite what is mentioned in the Commercial Description). A bitter coffee note strikes first in the flavor, while further investigation finds defined fruitiness in the guise of grapes and apples, a bready yeastiness and a tannic acidity. As with the aroma, alcohol reveals as it warms. In all, this beer reminds me of a Unibroue concoction. I enjoyed having the opportunity to try it, but I won’t be one to cry when the reserve runs out.

<font size=-4>Single 330ml bottle from <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Beverage Depot, Orland Park, IL 60462</font>

12 oz bottle

Thanks to malachi for sharing this gem that he picked up quite a while ago at Sam’s Wine in Chicago. It kicked off an impromptu Sunday night tasting at hezron’s house. On the whole it was a good start to the night. I’m not sure I would pick this up if were ever rereleased simpy due to the sheer volume of beers out there but if offered one I would never turn it down. This is how a trippel should be done.

Aroma / Appearance - Sherry, sour notes and wood highlight a nose that also contains lime juice and rich chocolate truffles. The cloudy orange body graced my sampler glass with a thin layer of head and subtle carbonation. This was definitely one to admire.

Flavor / Palate - The dense chewy mouthfeel opened with orange peels dipped in very dark high quality chocolate. Next came oak and a liquerish aftertaste. Figs, cloves and pears complete the profile before a malty finish caps this excellent beer.

Bottle shared at the Columbus Tasting V: 2003 vintage. Orange pour with an off white head. Aroma of malt, yeast with some lemon zest a bit of pepper. The flavors were of some sweet malt, some lemon, some spiciness as well. Lively carbonation with a dry finish.

Bottle, 2003 bottled in 2005. Deliciously fruity nose, with star fruit, kiwi, pomegranate, strong licorice, gentle yeast, bubblegum, smoke. Beautiful 3mm head floats on top of the beer the whole way down in my Chimay goblet. Flavor is strong in the licorice, sweaty funky notes, wax and kiwi. Tasty.

12 oz bottle via trade with WBC. Shared with my borther. 2003 Vintage bottled in 05. Pours straw with a bubbly complexion. the head is nice and thin and white, started with a nice 3 finger depth and has shifted to a fingerish. Aroma has notes of both freshly sliced apples and a vinious grape quality. No alchol present in the nose. The taste is sweet and quite strong. There is a lot going on in the taste not enough to have a solid clue about it but a lot there. Tasty reserva tripel, and another stellar brew from the whimsical crew at De Dolle.

Bottle. Vintage 2003. Pours a clear bubbly pale gold with a huge lasting foamy white head. Nice lacing. Aroma is sweet and fruity (grapes and apples) with yeast, sugar and a faint sourness. Flavour of Belgian yeast, fruit, a little oak and alcohol, spices, sweet sugary malt and a bitter / boozy finish. Good body, medium +. Didn’t love it like some but still very much enjoyed it.