De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva

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

Bottle shared by pepsican. Many thanks. Poured a hazy medium orange color. The head was off white with an orange tint. The aroma was of oak, funk, and subdued butter. Medium bodied and slightly sweet. There was also some mild acidity that lingered. Distinct oaky flavor. Like getting hit over the head with an oak two by four oaky. A cider vinegar and unripe cherry flavors joined the oak along with a hint of toffee. Pretty tasty stuff.

Bottle, 2007. Pours a cloudy dark rusty brown with proportional, long-lasting beige head. The aroma is very fruity--pear, grape, sour cherry, blackberry--with some noticeable oak, bitter chocolate, and dank cellar. The flavor is, holy crap, it’s amazing. Strong oak and fruit dominate the front of the mouth, with a clear red wine element. Then come subtle blackberry and cherry notes accompanied by a solid earthiness. There is some sourness, but only enough to notice, as it blends so well with all the other flavors. The superbly dry finish is earth, bitter chocolate, and alcohol. The alcohol doesn’t burn, though; it comes across as floral. The beer is nice and dry throughout, and remains so well into the oaken aftertaste. Very, very well done.

Bottle from New Beer Distributors, NYC. Amazing beer, and I’ve never found it in Europe! Vinous, fruity, Belgian sourness, citrus finish. For slow sipping and enjoyment.

12 oz bottle bought while in Philly. Freakin weird, woody nose, fills the whole room up. Sour cherry pits in there. Pours a really interesting brown with red edges. Creamy head that sticks around for a while. Prickly in the mouth with a big oaky finish. Kind of peppery and spicy. Very interesting, and it really warms on me. One of the best yet!

Fruity - sharp nose - beautiful golden red color, Thin creamy head that quickly disappears. There is some lacing. The beer sour but not in a raw way. It gives an initial burst of sour with cherry plum overtones. The finish is slightly sweet and very clean.

Bottled. Foamy, light brown head, clear, coppery-brown pour with ruby highlights. Aroma is sour, musty, alcohol, plum, cherry, wine, oak, tobacco. Medium palate, lively carbonation, Long lasting flavor, moderate sweetness of a vinous character balanced by a biting sourness. Incredibly complex, wonderful, sadly expensive stuff!

ours a nice dark brown, cola color, with a thick tan foamy head. Aroma of raisins, plums malt. Taste is tart, cherries, apples.and oak. It doesn’t have a very sour taste though. This is very intresting.....

2002 edition drank October 2008 with a big thanks to hopdog. I reallly loved the regular so I was anticipating the reserva for sure. My 800th rating. Pours a a large and thick beige head on top of a reddish-brown body. The aroma was instantly noticed as more sour than the regular version; lots of sour cherries and tons of woody notes. Some light candies and chocolates too. The taste was great; a initial smooth and mellow sour woody and tart cherry flavors. The sweet candy and ripe fruits come out later, especially as it warms. The six years in bottle plus the barrel aging has mellowed this considerably, and the alcohol is only hinted at in a pervasive warmth. A real treat for sure.