In short: A very fruity juicy Abt that is almost refreshing while still being Abt-corpulent. Very good.
How: Tap at brewpub.
The look: Dark burgundy body topped by a small beige head.
In long: Nose is on the fruity side of the Abt spectrum with raisins, fresh plums and others coming out strong. Taste follows suit, juicy raisins, plums, dark grapes, blackberries, light notes of chocolate & toffee. Clean and juicy body with a medium carbonation. Again, very much on the juicy-fruity side of the Abt spectrum. More refreshing and easier to drink than a classic Belgium Abt (this Cheval Blanc Abt was borderline ‘refreshing’) although not as complex as the good examples of the style. And I hate when after a night at the pub I stagger back home, drunk, barely standing on my own two feet and then some straight-edge dude looks down on me and tells me that one doesn’t need to get drunk to have fun… what the f… dude… does it look like I’m having fun?

En fût. Verre de 14 oz dégusté directement à la brasserie. Arôme: Odeur de caramel avec une pointe de raisins. Apparence: La couleur est noire. Présence d’un mince col mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de caramel fruité avec une pointe d’épices. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement onctueuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Arrière goût légèrement fruité. (Rating #4320)

Pours dark ruby brown with a big creamy tan head. Served in a Westmalle calice at the pub, nice. Interesting aromas of plums, dried grapes and nutty caramel. Full body, very rich palate, nutty, grapes and again nice caramel. Long sweet and doughy finish. Nice beer.

On tap at brewpub
Aroma very nice round, smooth , clean yeast character. Alcohol very mellow. Soft gentle but with good richness. Very nice.
Appearance poured as dark brown with off brown creamy cap. Handsome.
Flavor and Palate : Medium full bodied. Gentle sweetness sided with lower carbonation. Very nicely developed. Rich, gentle as in aroma. Solid yeast profile.

draught@brewpub - hazy dark brown beer, persistent foam; caramel and nougat, earthy; sweet and full-bodied, some decent bitterness; long malty finish with notes of nougat

Style et résumé: Quadruple brassée avec une levure Rochefort.
Comment: Un calice sur place.
Description: Bière brune avec de beaux reflets rouges. Le nez est fort agréable avec des arômes typiques de levure belge. Il y a des épices, du chocolat, des raisins secs et des figues confites. La bouche est sucrée, elle manque un peu d’atténuation. Il y a des épices, du sucre brun, de la cassonade, je me répète. Un beau mélange entre une Rochefort et une Abbaye des Rocs brune. Une touche moins sucrée et cette bière sera au sommet.
Note: 7/10

On tap (14 oz) Drank on tap (14 oz) at the brewpub for the last Big Tuesday of Cheval Blanc’s 25th anniversary, April 24, 2012. Very dark brown, small head. Sweet barley aroma and spicy, hints of chocolate. Taste of chocolate, sour citrus and spice, dry aftertaste. An ABT that drinks very well!

Bottle at brewpub, 7$. Reddish amber ale with a thick creamy off-white head. Sweet caramel aroma with nice fruity notes, green apples and pears, and light strawberries. Nice sweet candi sugar, tingling spices, with prunes and caramel, and nice alcohol warmth. Rich and smooth. Very good for the CB!

Bubblegum and dark pit fruit battle with thick, toffee-like malts in the alluring, yeasty aroma. Clear mahogany brown body is topped with a low, dense, off-white head that lasts nicely and leaves some light lacing. Raisins, plums, dark brown sugar and caramelized wort in the flavour with only the slightest hints of alcohol. Full body is rich and thick with moderate carbonation that awakens the taste buds. Definitely one of the best beers I have yet tried from the Cheval! Bottle at the brewpub.

The Lure:
A slowly receding ample head tops the signature Cheval Blanc yeasty, fruity esters. Banana whispers and orange peel emanate from the faint sweetness.

The Festivities:
A spritzy carbonation and an approachable fruitiness reminiscent of figs and sweetened black grapes conjure up an easy drinking, cleanly brewed quad. Alcohol is expertly hidden under the apparent peppery yeast which coats the back of the upper palate after a few sips. Roastiness emerges as well in the long run, but all fades into a feeble, medium-dry aftertaste. Right on style, but in a world of greatness this one would need more sweet caramel and chocolate malt heaviness to attempt competition with the monastic masters.

Transcendence:
A new disciple eagerly seeking wisdom. Alas, only patience and practice will yield sagacity.