Achel 8 Bruin

Brewed by Brouwerij der Trappistenabdij De Achelse Kluis
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Hamont-Achel, Belgium

Bottle. Deep, copper-colored body barely goes into reds, topped with a big head the color of dough, sticky and full of large pockets like spider-web. Sticky splotches of lace. Aroma is musty, earthy, slightly doughy, fruity (raisin), and spicy with clove and citrus. Mouth is medium-full with an abundance of lovely carbonation (as predicted from the overflowing bottle and huge head). The flavor is fruity like champaign, light and lightly sweet, golden raisins, finishing with a spiciness, musty and dry. Light alcohol notes, some esters, and some metallic flavors. Some harshness on the long finish, a little dry. Enjoyable.

Refrigerated bottle poured into a trappist glass. Pours a dark brown with some deep crimson highlights in the bottom, nice thick beige head that stays around a nice time. Good lacing and great mouth feel. Taste is dark fruit and molasses. This is my favorite dark strong Belgian ale.

(bottle) dark reddish amber colour with very tall off white head; aroma of molasses, balanced taste

Pours dark brown with a large head. Aroma of yeast, spice, dark fruit. Flavor is more of the same plus a nice funky tartness that complements the caramel, dark fruit and spice fantastically. Very tasty!

330mL bottle. Pours a hazy reddish brown with a thick persistent head that leaves quite a bit of lacing. The aroma is reminiscent of a dry white wine; fruity and acidic with a little earthy yeast. The flavour is acidic fruit again, with slight sweetness and bitterness - the acidity is a bit overpowering. Blindfolded, I’d have guessed it was a blonde. Initially lively carbonation, tingly, with an acidic and slightly bitter finish.

33cl bottle. Pours a rich medium brown with a large beige head. Aroma is a bit dusty, with Belgian yeast, mild sugars, and mild dark fruit. A little cream too as it warms. Flavor is metallic overall, with underlying brown sugar, cream, egg whites, banana, yeast again. Pleasant flavor overall if you take the quarters out of the equation. I don’t know why its so metallic; maybe it was kept improperly before I assumed posession? Medum viscosity, pleasant carbonation on the tongue at the finish. Overall, good.

Bottle from Bert’s Bierhuis. Pours a ruby red beer with a huge white head. Very lively beer. Sweet aroma with some caramel notes. Taste is great witch can be compared with other good Dubbels. Decent aftertaste but could be better. Nice brew!

beautiful foamy thick white head on a pale brown liquid. Very sweet smell. Weird sensation is that everything around the sip is great, but the finish is somewhat dry and it is almost a little dissappointed. Still a nice beer though.