 Rastacouere (5201), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
May 4, 2008
Objectively speaking:
A very large Belgian brewer trying to take its part of the latest "IN" market of Champaigny, very hoppy simili-trippels.
I like:
The Duvel yeast strain works well to provide a very clean, champaigny texture. Sagacious use of hops. Refreshing wheaty aspects. Deliciously dry upon the finish, but surprisingly sweet initially. Firm supporting pils malts. Very very good, but while Duvel created its own niche, this is clearly aiming at stealing the niche of others and does not strike me as the chef d’oeuvre it had to be to outclass such splendid beers as Chouffe Houblon, Malheur Brut et al.
I dislike:
The competition is very, very strong in that category and to me, the other players fare better. First, their hops generally feel more directly aromatic whereas they pushed the classy yeast forward here. Also, the peppery nuances take a bit too much room to be. Its alcoholic nature is also more forward I feel, making it less refreshing despite the fact that most serious competitors are generally stronger in ABV.
BoBoChamp (43), Gent, Belgium
Jul 20, 2008 75cl, exclusive brew anno 2007, from Geers Oostakker, complex, not easy to drink, hazy, rocky head, beautiful bottle
larsniclas (2735), Gothenburg, Sweden
Jun 29, 2008 Bottled.
Hazy golden with a large, white head.
Hoppy, grassy aroma with flowery citrus and notes of marcipan.
Spicy, yeasty flavour with sourish notes.
Medium, dry, hoppy, grassy bitterness.
maeib (3816), Wootton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
Jun 21, 2008 Bottled. Has that typical rocky white head of its weaker sibling atop its clear light gold body. The aroma is spicy and yeasty. Sticky lemons. The taste is spicy and bitter. Nettle notes. Bigger alcohol but not necessarily bigger hops than regular Duvel. Some sharp lemony notes and an unbalanced complexity. Retronasal. Certainly not worth all that extra money, but worth the experience I suppose.
omhper (10141), Stockholm, Sweden
Jun 19, 2008 Bottled, thanks rickgordon! Lightly hazy golden, lasting head. Rich hoppy grassy nose with fruit and doughy malt underneath. A deep mouthfilling flavour of buttery malt and black currant. Hops are evident but not assaulting. Long grassy finish. Very good - one of the better of these new wave hoppy Belgian beers.
cellar (261), Dublin, Ireland
May 29, 2008 Thx for another great tasting, Kim (beljohansen). Ligth amber, long typical duvel head, notes of fruit, citrus, hops, yeast, malt and peach..Sweet and bitter in good harrmony. Alcohol in finnish. You never go wrong with a Duvel!!!
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