St Feuillien Brune

Brewed by Brasserie St-Feuillien / Friart
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Le Roeulx, Belgium

All of the promise of a grand Dubbel only to fall flat halfway through the bottle, this one started off in grandeur and had I been served a small sample it may have topped the rest. Poured into a wide lipped chalice at just below room temperature. Clear, ruddy bronze body donned with a very well conditioned tannish head of cream ’that kept on keeping on’ and left a lovely pattern of fine lace. Deep, zingy and slightly vinous, cherry, raisins and old chocolate nose with a hint of pepper, doughy yeast and sherbet. Sweet and fruity up the front of the mouth with all warming, drying and vinous fruits towards the tonsils. Initially dominated by flavours of cherries, raisins and dark, roasted malts it falls plague to morphing into a mix of charred berries and musty hops which linger long after the swallow. Rather light and prickly on the tongue, it was tasty up until this acrid, bitter fruit flavour took over. I have to try this one again as I hope it was my sample. It wasn’t overly unpleasant so I hope an aged bottle fares up a little better. (75cL, 18/01/07, Int’l Beer Shop, W. Leederville)

Sweet malt hop aroma. Murky brown colour with excellent head and lacing. Sweet malt flavour with hops. Smooth palate.

On Tap at the Borough Arms, Crewe 17/04/2005 Amber coloured with hoppy and slightly spicy ginger aromas. Very dry malt finish.

Sample BI Indy gathering 2/25/06 - Aroma is sweet cherry, malt, and yeast. Pours deep brown, medium head, and good lacing. Flavor matches with a bit of licorice and carmel. Palate is sticky. Tasty is a weird sort of way.

A very fruity Belgian abbey dubbel. Wouldn’t rate this in the top flight but it’s fine drinking. In the glass, this was a rich, ruddy firebrick. The head was briefly deep and luxuriant but retreated swiftly to a thin scum. Pulled from the fridge 20 minutes before opening, it probably needed to stand longer to warm. The aroma was muted and took time to draw out. There was some appealing berry juiciness there with faint chocolate, raisins and a hint of mint. Reminded me a little of Ramsbottom Strong Ale out of England. In the mouth, juicy berries are prominent - blackberries, brambles - with nutmeg, brown sugar and dried apricots. Quite fizzy but just within acceptable range. Medium bodied. It’s sweet but balanced by a long, slightly bitter coffee ground finish. It’s not very bitter but quite phlegmy in the wash-up. (33cl bottle, IBS Perth, bb 18/1/07)

33oml bottle. Nice chesnut brown colour with small head plenty of flavours going on in there but not easily discernible. Nice roated maltiness towards the end and slightly dry in the finish, pretty good.

Pours like prune juice, with minimal carbonation or head. Aroma of nutmeg and raisin. flavor is a little muted, with a pleasant fruitiness, even banana. the soft spot in this beer is how thin it sits on the tongue. To me, a good dubbel coats the tongue and has a lasting sweetness - not here.

Medium size light tan head on a deep ruby and brown body. Head retention was quite good though it left very little lacing. The aroma was the highlight of this beer, to me, mainly malt characters with liquorice, alcohol, brown sugar and figs. Taste got better as the beer warmed, not as thick or complex as I would like but still quite drinkable.