Gaverhopke Den Twaalf

Brewed by ’t Gaverhopke
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Stasegem-Harelbeke, Belgium

From a bottle poured a dark brown with a fair amount of head. Malty spicy flavor with a lingering finish.

Date: April 24, 2009
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting
Appearance: muddy burnt orange, wispy beige head, drippy lace
Aroma: sweet and fruity aroma, brown sugar sweetness brings out sweet dark fruits
Flavor: dry and fruity flavor, light spicyness, just enough sweetness to bring out the fruits
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Pours a mostly clear dark red - fizzy head that disappears almost immediately - the nose is tart and fruity, with notes of sour cherry, raisin, dates, overripe apples - a tiny bit of metallic character is easy to ignore - starts tart and lightly acidic, with some vinous notes - this makes way for some toffee sweetness, candied fruits - the sweetness is persistent for a while, but it dries out for the finish, and a little bit of acidity returns - warming on the end, but the alcohol is well-hidden - decent, but somewhat thin for the strength.

33cl bottle: Pours a transparent dark copper amber with a thin, wispy-lacing white head. Aroma of tart strawberries and a touch of caramel malt and yeasty esters. Body starts effervescent and sweettart with some vinous character and toffee flavor along with some cherry-like acidity before a drier, slightly warming finish. A pretty interesting and unique brew, but could use more sweetness and body.

Little bottle, labeled as extra, via trade with Goldtwins, thanks larry. Pours cloudy brown with a tan head. Nose is very strong with a big kick of sweetness some halloween candy and something. Taste is sweet and candied, a bit too much sugar.

Bottle, Extra. Aroma of intense fig, oak?, dark, dried cherry (in a sour, wine-like way), apple, pear, spice notes (something like cinnamon and mint). Flavor a bit sweeter than expected from the aroma, more in the area of sugary fruits. Hints of earth and coffee in there as well. Very dry finish. These guys love making dry beers I guess, if I can make that generalization after two of them. Pretty good.

Bottle, labeled as Extra. Pours a cloudy brown with a thick off-white head. Aroma of yeast, dark fruits (cherry). Flavor is robust and malty with lots of cherry and fruity sweetness. It’s got just the right amount of sweetness--not too harsh on the palate. This reminds me a lot of Three Philosophers. Very nice. 7/4/8/4/15 (3.8/5)

11.2oz bottle. **** GUSHER ALERT **** This one semi-erupted all over my office floor (damn I hate it when that happens). Poured a medium mahogany color with a rather larged sized off white head. Aromas of yeast, dark fruits (plums and cherries), and I was getting some woodiness. Tastes of dark fruits (more than the aromas), chocolate, and some caramel. This one had a sour and tart finish that I kinda dug. Alcohol content well hidden.