wow! a great beer! 2006 bottle thanks to bman1113vr. Pours with a dark brown hue, with virtually no head after the gushing stopped. Aroma is of dark fruits, herbs, and red wine. It has a strong alcohol smell as well a moderate amount of sweet malt. The flavor is alcoholic all the way through and is very warming. Dark fruits and metal also come out in the flavor. Syrupy mouthfeel, with light carbonation.

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.

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.

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.

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!