McKenzie Abbey 11

Aroma of dark fruit, caramel malt, some toffee. Tastes very dark fruity, with caramel, some tart kriekyness, and a well balanced mouthfeel. I prefer the Abbey 8 slightly, but I loved this also.

Also sampled bottle #398 thanks to egajdzis. People tell me how good McKenzie’s beers are and I’ve yet to make it. After sampling this Belgian Strong Ale I know I need to visit the brewpub. Dried fruit, caramel and nice bite to the finish. I happy I sampled Abbey 11, it made me a believer in McKenzie’s hype.

bottle thatnks to egajdzis. brownish golden color, slightly cloudy. vinuous notes and flavor with a peppery finish. closest to a barley wine than any belgian strong ale I’ve had.

Bottle courtesy of Schoolteacher. Cloudy orange with a sticky sweet taste. Flavors were both vineous and sweet, perhaps too sweet. Alcohol kick is over the top but the flavors did layer themselves. Yeast is supposedly Chimay.

Bottle #398, TY egajdzis: Hazy amber color with no head to speak of. Aroma was of alcohol and ripened dark fruits. Cherry comes out on the palate with a fair amount of sweet maltiness. A nice heat in the finish. Very tasty beer and I’m saddened to hear it was the last one available.

Bottle #398, thanks to egajdzis. Cloudy copper color with no head. Sweet, malty aroma with lots of dried fruit, caramel and an alcoholic presence. Flavor was also mildly sweet, but dried somewhat on the finish. Dark dried fruits, caramel and malt with a warming alcohol finish. Very nice!

Sample courtesy of egajdzis. Bottle #398/500. Poured a cloudy amber color with virtually no head. Aromas of raisins, dark fruits, and alcohol. A little smoky. Dark cherries. This was a very good beer and I’m glad Eric gave me an opportunity to try it!

#398/500... Poured a hazycopper color with no head or lacing on the glass. Aroma of butterscotch, dark cherries, roast and alcohol. Taste of more cherries, and caramel, light roast, some vinous qualities, and finishing with spicy alcohol. Very nice.