The Bruery Two Turtle Doves

Brewed by The Bruery
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Placentia, California USA

750ml bottle. Pours very, very dark - might as well be black (highlights are dark brown). Head pours very thick with tiny bubbles, but doesn’t last long. Aroma is rich with caramel toffee and chocolate. There is a hint of peppery phenols and a rich sweet aroma - somewhat like malt extract. Chocolate in the aroma is very strong. There is also a slight funkiness in the aroma that is reminiscent of concentrated carrot juice. The flavor starts sweet with a subtle hint of tartness, big waves of toffee and chocolate. The flavor features more caramel and less chocolate than the aroma. It has a strong sweetness but isn’t cloying thanks to a very dry finish. The beer feels drying all over the mouth - notes of alcohol and cocoa powder. The touch of tartness/acidity persists into the finish. The finish is long, bittersweet, and quite warming from the strong alcohol content. The mouthfeel is luscious - medium-full in body with lots and lots of tingly tickly bubbles. Overall, a very nice brew. As I drink more, I think it could stand to be a little drier and a little more attenuated (the sweetness is very pleasant at first, but makes it less drinkable). But it is certainly a decadent brew.

Bottle from Crown#6, shared with Brothers Eric & Nathan. Pours dark, dark brown with brown edge and huge foamy tan head. Nose is dominated by belgian yeast with slight cocoa in the background. Flavor is surprisingly smooth and creamy. Cocoa totally dominates the flavor, acompanied by a coffee bean flavor, and some roasted nuttiness. Very pleasant, clean finish, I like this alot. The hottness, is disguised, but you’ll know when it ’hits’.

From bottle graciously shared by awiseman. I smell more fruit than anything in the aroma. Pours almost black with a fluffy tan head. And there’s the cocoa. lots of chocolate. a little like coffee in the bitterness, but thats probably the nibs. lots of spice on the end that I’m having trouble identifying, but are characteristic of this style. A little sharp on the tongue initially but begins to smooth out soon after. Very nice. Not at all what I was expecting.

had out of bottle at a local party, bottle purchased from Bottleworks. grapes and potent spices evident

I had this brew last night after a day of Christmas shopping. I laughed at the word Belgian just now as I opened the brewer’s page, because there was no hint of Belgian character at all in this one. I think they missed the mark if they were going for a Belgian-style ale. I poured it into a tulip glass and it produced a finger worth of tan head that dissipated quickly but could easily be brought back to life with a swirl. The brew has a deep brown to black color. The coco nibs’ aroma was great and the toasted pecans made a slight showing. The aromas really did make this brew. Flavor wise it did remind me of eating a good piece of fudge. It wasn’t overly sweet but not to bitter in the chocolate department. It had a medium feel in my mouth with ok carbonation. I will say this is the best beer I have tried from them so far and I enjoy the bottle with my friend. One glass at a sitting would be enough for anyone I think

I love this beer. Awesome Christmas present from my friends Gmo and Tiff. I can smell and taste the cocoa nibs but I don’t really see the toasted pecans. There’s a very mild sour smell and taste which works beautifully. The toasted and roasted malt flavors are wonderfully melded.

Deep brown pour with a tan head. Chocolate aroma, dark fruits, nutty,yeast, sweet. taste is creamy chocolate, dark fruits, silky. The alcohol in the nose comes out more as it warms up in my hand. A swirl of the tulip glass really brings out the aromas and froths the head . A nice beer. I wish there was more so I could cellar one though. Oh, well.

Pours deep brown with a very big foamy tan head. Chocolate is apparent in the pour. Other aromas are yeast, nuts, raisin, plum and alcohol. Palate is a bit thin, but the taste is wonderful. Red fruits, velvety chocolate, and brandy. Certainly warming. Need to buy another bottle to age.