vyvvy (2023), Hazelwood, Missouri, USA May 10, 2006 Dark tawny brown beer with an off-white tannish head that has nice retention. Aroma has rich caramel malts with earthy yeast and toffee. There also seems to be a bit of spice in the background. Mouthfeel is just a bit over medium with carbonation that is between fizzy and frothy. Taste is split between Scotch ale and Belgium strong, but lean a bit more towards the scotch side. Taste has lots of toffee and caramel richness with some dark fruits hanging around. Finish has spice and earthiness. Overall a very nice beer to be savored. Jukkabro (2981), Tampere, Finland May 3, 2006 (Slightly opened bottle while in transport, 0.7l). Dark brown colored, very big and thick yellow head. Cloudy appearance. Spices, anis, chocolate and mild alcohol in aroma. Medium bodied. Spices, medium alcohol, mild chocolate, anis and sweetness in flavor, somehow watery palate. stegosaurus (1882), Levittown, Pennsylvania, USA May 1, 2006 Bottle. Pours a bronze\ brown with a nice tan head. Aroma of citrus, fruit, belgian spices, and caramel. Flavor is smooth, fruit, spices, caramel, and citrus. Good body, good brew. HenrikSoegaard (4263), Randers, Denmark Apr 29, 2006 Bottle. Creamy white excellent fully lasting head. Redbrown colour. Powerfull hoppy aroma. Nice flavor. Long finish. Slightly watery palate regarding abv. but overall ofcourse a very good beer. lethe (168), Stony Brook by way of Cincinnati, New York, USA Apr 25, 2006 Light brown pour that reddens to the light. Nose is restrained a bit with a general sweetish malt/caramel scent. Palate is soft with a fair amount of carbonation. Flavor improves upon the nose with raisin, plum, caramel and a nice roast/smoke malt finish. Nicely marries Scotch ale flavors with Belgian drinkability. A standard bearer. sunevdj (1765), Copenhagen OE, Denmark Apr 23, 2006 On tap. Pours dark brown with a tanned head. Sweet with aromas of prune and raisins Also some yeast aromas. Hoppy bitter finish. LadySusan (462), Ste-Therese, Quebec, Canada Apr 23, 2006 Dark bronw color with spicy flavor. It has a caramel taste. This beer has all the qualities of a true Belgium beer. pfhyde (38), Davis, California, USA Apr 18, 2006 A well-balanced, spicy flavor that hints, subtly, of malts. The aftertaste is almost too smooth, indicating to me a lack of complexity. After the first sip, I was surprised at the lack of distinctive qualities, and so I was immediately prompted to have another sip, and another--until I realized I’d gone through a whole chalice simply to get a feel for the overall taste. I definitely recommend this as an introduction to Belgian darks (to Americans), because it’s not threatening in any way. Also, consider paring it with smoked gouda; they’re complementary, according to my palate.
|