 MartinT (4316), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Jun 6, 2005 Updated: Aug 11, 2008
The Lure:
Cherry-chocolate cake stuffed with figs, laced with toffee and molasses, topped by lavender and rose petals. Utterly engaging and decadent, emboldened by a superb head and its accompanying lacing. I’m ready to get my scuba gear and dive in without an oxygen tank.
The Festivities:
A dream house entirely made of chocolate mousse, of the eclectic variety of course. Dry nuts were used to erect sturdy walls, ground cocoa and luscious yeast were cemented into a succulent foundation, and toffee bars laid out as shingles. Milky coriander leaves and candied orange peels sparsely cover the walls in just the right quantity. You simply cannot ask for more luxury and comfort.
Transcendence:
Pens are flying on paper, a tantalizing fairy tale is being written as we speak.
The 2005 vintage is dominated by licorice, but presents similar complexities to the 2004, still in a rich, velvety, smooth mouthfeel. These Struise guys have created a bona fide gem.
A tap version of the 2008 vintage at Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà was even more engaging yet less spicy than the bottles I am used to. The roastier and fruitier (vinous, black cherries) profile was mindblowing. This was already a masterpiece, but if they can bottle this same experience, it is going to be legendary in my book.
french tickler (477), Aylmer, Quebec, Canada
Aug 28, 2008 Shared with Pyrozoid @ L’autre Oeil
App.:
Dark brown, some sediments, tiny yet sticky head.
Aromas:
Plums, prunes, red grapes, alcohol, salty, red wine mulch, fruity sweet...
Palate:
WOW! Creamy, fruity sweetness (nothing artificial), awesome balance, alcohol, full body, salty, perfect carbonation...
Flavors:
Cumin, caramel, grapes, alcohol, plums and salty again...
Notes: Amazing brew... best in a while! Perfect all around... stong accross the board!
CafeeOndineke (15), Aalst, Belgium
Aug 20, 2008 I sell this also! :-) Damn Good Ale !
Love the yellowish foam, the smell and the wellbalanced "exotic" taste. 2006..Tasty..gimme more!! :-p
skoisirius (474), Seattle, Washington, USA
Aug 19, 2008 Tasted multiple times over the time it hit the USA in late 2006 until now, same vintage. What can I say that hasn
DaSilky1 (1599), San Diego, California, USA
Aug 19, 2008 Vinous nose with notes of raisin, red-grape, and significant malt with a fun musty character behind it. Very grape-like nose in fact. Brown beer by the way, with a frothy head. Flavors were very fig-like and had lots of raisin notes as well. Some solid bitterness was behind it all too. Again, the fig and raisin flavors dominate but there’s also nice red wine character riding along. Overall, its a nice, clean, full bodied malty ale, but I will certainly need to spend some more time with it if im going to be giving it the high scores that others have.
daknole (683), Plantation, Florida, USA
Aug 16, 2008 Bottle and wow what a beer!! Holy crap! Pours a dark, dark brown with a tan color head that coats the glass with each sip. Aromas are brown sugar, syrup, dried dark fruit, spice. Thick and creamy the sweetness is just so beautiful. Dried fruits on the tongue, honey, molasses, mmmmmm hell yeah.
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