 maeib (4012), Wootton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
Sep 7, 2006
Bottled. 2005 vintage - brewed at Caulier. Thanks very much to Madsberg for this one at last year’s GBBF which I’ve been saving for a rainy day!. I admit I opened this quite nervously as it has a huge reputation, and some beers with huge reputations pass me by (cf Westy 8), and additionally I am meeting Carlo at LCRBM on Sunday and didn’t want to face him having given a bad rating! I poured the beer into my Delirium Tremens glass and watched in awe as the attractive blanket of off-white head sat atop the almost black beer, with a little brown yeasty puddle. I sniffed the aroma - tons going on here - and gave the glass to my wife for first sips - as I often do. She has been known to wince at beers of 9% or more, merely stating "God that’s strong", but not this one. "mmmm that’s nice" she said "a real food beer, you want some cheese with that", but I rate without food so I sat back down and took in the aroma again. As I said tons going on. Wood, yeast, licquorice, Christmas cake, a little brandy, plums and cherries. Time to drink methinks. Again wonderfully full and very very tasty. Candied peel, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, berries, well hidden alcohol, chocolate, licquorice and boozy soaked peaches. A really beautiful beer. A true sipper. Almost perfect, but what is perfect?
MuttyD (88), Cambridge, USA
Oct 7, 2008 Dark brown pour with a huge bubbling cream colored head. Aroma is fruity, yeasty, and has hints of brown sugar and caramel. Flavor is yeasty, sugary, and slightly alcoholic. More like a quad/abt than a Belgian Strong Ale. Spicy throughout. Sweet finish.
NosirIwont (879), Aalborg Vestby, Denmark
Oct 7, 2008 Bottle. Pours dark, dark brown with a big, creamy beige head. Aroma is quite sweet and complex; fruity with citrus/orange, wood, plums, liquorice and brandy. Sweet flavour. Fruit, plums, a touch of vermouth. Finish is cloyingly sweet, like brandy or sherry. Has a strange chocolate/liquorice mix-note. Notes of vermouth at it varms. Lingering apple notes, which aren’t doing any good here. Alcohol is well-hidden. Nice, smooth palate. Overall a fine brew, but way too cloying. Also could do without the apple notes in the finish. 07-10-08.
Todeon (214), Höllviken, Sweden
Oct 6, 2008 Bottle @ home. Aroma is wonderful with lots of dark fruit and spicey notes. Almost black in color. Taste is spicey with lots of caramel and dark fruit. A bit alcohol in the finish.
Joakgust (90), Stockholm, Sweden
Oct 3, 2008 Bottle SB&WF-08 - Unclear ruby amber colored beer with a dense head. Aroma is spicy, malty and vinous with strong notes of caramel and ripe fruit. Flavor is very malty and sweet with notes of spices and caramel. Full bodied, powerful and well balanced. Highly recommended!
dogfish120love (78), west hartford, Connecticut, USA
Oct 2, 2008 When I opened the bottle it foamed over onto the counter and appeared brown, but when poured it sits in the glass a dark brown, almost so much that it is black. The head is a frothy light tan or off white.I’m getting a hint of bannana, alcohol, oat, and spice, one of the best smelling beers i have had. Taste:hints of banana, sweet syrupy flavor, caramel cinnamon, and alcohol. The sweetness of this beer masks the alcohol nicely. This is an addition to my top ten list.
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