De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva

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

2006 bottle sampled summer ’08.

The cap pops with small burst of foam and the beer pours a beautiful red-brown with a nice head. Strong malty aroma with ample sour vinegar and wood. Lovely and hugely complex flavor, very woody, malt vinegar, tannic red wine, acidic grapefruit juice and pith, incredible depth and complexity of flavor and a finish with mouth-puckering tannins that go on and on and on. Very little evidence in the mouthfeel of the 13%, I would have thought more like 8-9%! Terrific strong, somewhat-sour beer that really comes into its own as it approaches room temperature.

Aroma of cherries, plum, green apple, and red wine. Extremely complex. This is a powerhouse of flavor. Very tart/astringent. Large off white head with good lacing. Very murky body with small particles floating. It is hard to see the particle because the beer is so murky. Dark brown in color. Medium to full body. Dry texture with decent carbonation. Enjoy very slowly the warmer the better.

2006. Pours a murky dark bronze with a wonderful, pillowy beige head. Aroma is incredibly enticing. Tart cherries at the front, followed by vanilla and nutmeg, a bit of grapefruit, grapes, caramel and just a bit of oak. Taste is tart cherries (brett), balanced with bready, doughy, sweet caramel malts. A bit of tart (unripe) strawberry. This is strikingly like what I imagine a blend of SB Abt 12 and Duchesse sour red would be like. This one would cellar incredibly well, and while wonderfully different now, would be incredible if given time to mellow.

2007. Pours deep brown with a creamy yet disappearing tan head. Stron vinous and peppery aroma, fruity, caramel. Very vinous, vinegary, fruity, with a very light body and no traces of 13%. Seems to me a spontaneous brew. Don’t know if it were as expected to be, but above all I’ve enjoyed it.

~RBSG ’08~

Bottle. Pours a dark reddish hue, thick foamy head, white lacing on the glass. Tart aroma, funky cherries, some roasted malts, sweet nute, chocolate. Very sweet and sour at the same time. Grapes, currant, oak, brown sugar, light caramel, and some clove, albeit distant. Very smooth. Nice bitter finish, balanced well. Alcohol is absent.

Bottle. [thank you, KimJohansen]
Vintage 2004
My 3.400th rating!!
Enjoyed at cellar temperature. Pours a striking deep red with a slight haziness. On top sits a fine, frothy yellowish-beige head. Incredible aroma: Apples, strawberries, sherry, caramel, light liquorice, vanilla, coriander, oak, thyme and a doughy character. Low carbonation, wonderful frothy mouthfeel. Flavour is heavy, lots of viniousness, good, fresh strawberries and a definite oaky sourness at the back of my mouth. Damn! It is so easy to drink! The oak really settles in the aftertaste, mixing in some liquorice, warmth, caramel and just a long, lingering, warming tartness. Another Dolle masterpiece.

Wow! This is definitely one of the stronger and more complex aromas I’ve experienced throughout my beer ratings. Sour apple, lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, oak, and light bread crumbs. Interesting brew, tart with a sweeter fruitiness and toffee in the background with a slightly metallic finish. An interesting experiment for sure. Well crafted, although personally I would prefer the sourness to be toned down a bit. It would allow some of the other complexities of this beer to shine.

Bouteille de 330 ml acheté chez Julio’s Liquors (Westborough, MA). Arôme: Odeur de mélasse fruitée et de chêne. Apparence: La couleur est ambrée rougâtre avec une faible densité de bulle. Présence d’un moyen col beige crémeux et d’une large dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de petits fruits foncés avec une pointe de vanille. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est plein avec une texture vineuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Arrière goût fruité. (Rating #1852)