Apart from all the vintages of Stille Nacht Special Reserva, Kris Herteleer of Dolle Brouwers, in his admirable generosity, dug up a very different but equally renowned whale from his cellar: this Speciaal Brouwsel 20, a one-off made in the year 2000 for the twentieth anniversary of the brewery, one of the most important and influential ones in postmodern Belgian craft brewing history. "Speciaal Brouwsel" simply means special brew, and special it was, with the fact that I nearly got my hands on a bottle a couple of years ago but failed to acquire it, probably adding to the experience... This Flemish red ('oud bruin') style beer came from a 75 cl bottle - with the front label already partially affected by mold, which to me as a vintage beer afficionado made it all the more charming. Upon careful pouring, this legendary beer formed a tightly cobweb-lacing, medium thick, still remarkably stable (after 17 years!), egg-white head over a lightly hazy, warm and intensely copper-tinged mahogany brown robe. Absolutely stunning and hugely fascinating aroma of an old Flemish red of absolute top class: fermenting grapes, plum wine, passionfruit jam, moldy old bread, very old sweet sherry, dried orange zest, old raisins, ruby port, red cabbage, butterscotch, dry red wine and a hint of pickled gherkins. Fruity onset, estery in a well-restrained and noble manner, hinting at sweet-and-sourish passionfruit, black cherries and raspberries, sweet and caramelly in its core but dried by a mellow yet effective, noble tartness, vinous and complex. Softly carbonated, smooth and full mouthfeel, deeply built caramelly malt sweet body, 'moelleux' and opulent as it should be in any top notch 'oud bruin' with this gently drying, wine or dry sherry-like sourness throughout, debouching in that pickled gherkin-like flavour which was already apparent in the nose; sweetness remains to hold the flavours in perfect balance, with an almost vaguely pear syrup-like colour to it. A light moldy touch and the most refined of oloroso-like oxidation add an extra layer of complexity. This fully deserves its status as a legend, the few remaining bottles of which are still highly sought after; it truly befits an anniversary of such a brilliant and important brewery and has kept its composure remarkably well after seventeen years in the brewery's legendary cellar. I cannot find words to express my gratitude for this, one of the most memorable tastings I ever participated in - this and the other brews, sampled in the comfort of their own 'home', were absolutely stellar. All these young craft brewers in Scandinavia, the U.S., the U.K., Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and so on who try to master this ancient sour ale style, even if some of them got it absolutely right and have produced some highly captivating examples, should be in awe for this one. Too bad Dolle never continued this masterpiece...

Bottle shared at A Day To Sink All Sea Shepards tasting. Very hazy orange brown with an off white head. Aroma of mold, caramel, oxidized notes, toffee, malt and vinous notes. Flavour is light heavy sweet. Full bodied with soft carbonation. [17-09-2016]

750 ml bottle shared at the original Chez Moeder Lambic’s cellar. Hazy copper brown color with off white head. Malty and yeasty aroma, caramel, bread, tart citrusy fruity, herbal and floral notes, perfume, vinous, wood. Sweet and acidic taste. Light to medium oily body with soft to average carbonation.

Bottle shared at Kenny’s 20k tasting - London. Cheers to Paul for this oldie! Pours unclear red-orange with a creamy, off-white head. The nose is heavy with damp wood, light funk, hints of vinegar and peach. Light to medium sweet flavour, with some over-ripe fruits, melon and peach, touches of rotten orange, bread, moderate acidity. Medium bodied with average carbonation. Finishes sweetly, with nice tartness, more melon, grapes, peach, some cleansing acidity. Very nice beer overall. It has aged quite well.

Bottle shared at the Kenny 20K mega monster tasting. 15/01/2016. Huge thanks to Scopey for this one. Murky dark orange / brown coloured pour with a lasting uniform cream head. Aroma is funky sharp, citrus, funk, . Flavour is composed of grape sharp, biscuit Base grains, funky, light sourness, light spicy vinegar, brown bread. Drying finish. Palate is semi sweet, light sour, powdery, drying finish, little age but pretty good.

Bottle split at Madmitch76 20K tasting, big thanks to Bropey, 15/01/16. Hazed orange amber with a decent beige covering. Nose is wood must, light smoke, marzipan, fruit cake, funky tones, earthy red berry. Taste comprises tangy dark fruit shreds, funk, tarte berry, damp hay, light fruit balsams, aged cherry skin, dried fruit, damp balsa wood, sharp berries. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close. Decent well rounded sour, just a tinge of oxidisation creeping in.

Bottle shared at Kenny’s 20K, acquired via trade with ClarkVV. Cheers! It pours hazy deep red brown with a thick off-white head. The nose is rich, fruity, wood, dried fruits, vinous, musty, barnyard, fruit cake, redcurrant, red wine and a touch of oxidisation. The taste is crisp, tart, vinous, wood, earth, tart fruits, redcurrant, jammy fruit action, light vanilla, dry wood, lemon sherbet, funk and good mouth-pucker with a dry finish. Medium body and average carbonation. Jammy and vinous. Great complexity and depth of flavour. Has held up exceptionally well. Brilliant stuff.

75cl bottle shared at Kenny’s 20K celebrations @Chriso’s. Huge thanks to Paul. It pours a clean amber ruby color with a large bubbly white head. Aroma is balanced between sweet oxidised notes and tangy sour lemony ones. Some raisins and apricots too. Taste is medium sweet and closed sour tangy wih more lemon juice raisins rum vanilla and white chocolate. Medium bodied with good carbonation. Overall, still a great beer even with some oxidation on it.

UPDATED: JAN 18, 2016

Bottle share at Kenny’s 20K as ’De Dolle Speciaal Brouwsel 20’, 8%. Many thanks to Paul. Dark matte brown, murky, dense foamy off-white head, light lacing. Aroma is earthy, spinach, souring apple, dried peel and leaves, a touch of varnish. Body is medium to light, tingly carbonation, smooth. Taste is tangy and sour with rhubarb, raisin, apple and a touch of vinegar. A very interesting sour brown. Not necessarily my favourite style but this is a nice one.

Bottle at Madmitch 20k tasting. Musty aroma to start. Some sourness. Some toffee. Gets better as it opens up. Some decent sour fruit. Lemon lime. Decent.