De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva

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

2008 version. unclear dark brown, small offwhite head. tart , sour and acid aroma, flowery, controlled and complex sour aroma. stingy at times. flavor is sour, spciy, faint malty sweet, faint caramel, burns in the mouth, wood, faint vanilla. quite complex, the sweet wood and malt notes clash with the sourish notes. surely deep and complex. alc% well hidden. there is a sharp bitter fruity tinge to it that actually leaves it somewhat more quenching. nice detail. A good sourish beer, but not the best. Very extreme - if you like extreme belgians, got to try this one.

Bottled sample via oakbluff. 2006 vintage. Amber on colour with strong carbonation and a bit of haze. Aromas of funk, hothouse flowers, a bit of spice, and a bit of lightly toasted malts. A nice balance in the mouth between the funk, acidity, and the malts. Some sour orchard fruit is present, along with horse blanket, barnyard, old wood, and caramel elements. Quite drinkable for 13%! Very nice indeed!

Pours a very deep dark ruby red/chestnut brown that completely opaque with only the faintest of lighter colored dark ruby edges and a two finger foamy light beige head that slowly fades into a lasting ring. Slightly tart earthy oak tannis aroma with a ton of dark fruit, especially dark cherries. The oak presence is very prominent with some slight vanilla notes. The dark fruit notes provide a sweet balance to the amazing oak wooden presence. Very vinous with faint hints of chocolate malt. Slight vinegar presence, probably coming from the blending of different aged beers. Nice tart puckering earthy oak flavor with lots of sweet dark fruits, especially sour black cherries and grape. Very vinous with nice oaky tannis. Also some subtle chocolate malt underneath. This is a perfect blend of tart vinegary sourness, earthy oak, vinous mouthfeel and sweet dark fruit. The high 13% ABV is very well masked making it dangerously drinkable. Slightly puckering sweet dry finish. Highly recommended!

2008 bottle. Reddish borwn pour with some carbonation bubbles, and a nice eggshell head sitting on top. The aroma is insane. Belgian sugars, yeast, caramel, apples. Some red wine notes, with a salty-woodiness. Flavor is Fruity, caramel, with salty wood, red wine tanins, yeast, sweat, apples. Almost slightly tart, the sweetness is subdued. Great mouthfeel, finishes nice with slight warming alcohol. This is motherfuckin’ amazing.

Bottle (2008). Reddish brown with a tan dense head. Sour vinegar aroma, hints of apples, balsamico, red wine, blackberries, marmelade and fridays. Flavour is sweet and sour, a bit dry. Very, very easy drink compared to the alcohol content!!!! Despite it is rather strong it’s very refreshing. Full bodied, complex ale, I think it’s one of the best from Belgium.

2008 version. Dark though clear brown with a medium brown head. The aroma is so vinouse and oaky its scary, the suger is all over the aroma as well, extremly nice! Flavor doesnt live up, but almost. Its rich with complex suger notes, strong vinouse alchohol and even some sour notes. The alchohol is a tad too much, so a few more years would probably do it even better. But i’d still recommend it to pretty much anyone.

A big nose of red wine, cherries, oak, raspberry lemonade, raisins and vinegar. The taste brings out the same flavors well in a very complex manner. The taste goes from sour to sweet and finish is bitter and has a bit of alcohol in it. This is a glorious fusion between a sour ale and a Belgian strong. Fresh and fruity, yet mighty and complex. Easily one of the best brews I’ve ever had. Too bad it’s hard to come by and tends to be expensive.

Aroma of raisins, cherries, and maybe vinegar. Appearance is dark red with small white head. Flavor is a bit souer with cherries, red wine, oak and bitter ending. The alcohol is not showing much at all. Overall a splending Belgian strong ale with big aroma and taste.