Abdij van t Park Bruin

(Bottle 33 cl) This beer was so busy getting out of the bottle that I lost about a third of it before I could even have a sip. What a waste. Dark, almost opaque with a brownish head. Notes of port, coffee and dates with some underlying malty sweetness. Reminds me of some of the dark trappists. Lovely. 140702

Bottle. Red-brown colour. Sweet caramel malty aroma with raisins and alcohol. Flavour is quite pleasant, caramel, raisins, mild roasty malt, little frutiness. Sweet finish with a little bitterness.

Well, here’s me committed to completing a week off the sauce (managed 2days), and then Big JW goes and presents me with one of his Belgian finds. Mahogany with beige suds receding to a halo. Sweet, peppery, coriander and clove-laden snout more like a Blond. Leffe springs to mind. Then, as it warms, a sprinkle of Trappist yeastiness, nutty chocolate and dark cherryish fruit comes creeping out. It’s a spiced blond, then it’s a dunkel, then it’s a Flemish monk. Interesting. I’m thinking Westy shandy? Wheat, caramel, spice and very faint chocolate followed by a buttery, cereal-accented aftertaste. Just a trace of sweet dried fruits, but edged out by the sugar and spice treatment. Not very dark or dubbelish, it’s more that kind of sweet generic spiced abbey blond taste, but you won’t find a better beer in Aldi.

Bottled. Clear, copper beer with a reddish hue and a beige head. Dried fruit, malt and spices on the nose. The same goes for the flavor, but with some hops as well. Medium, a bit fizzy mouthfeel. I like the brunes, this is no exception. (070331)

Bottled. Dark amber colour, small white head. Aroma is malts and some slight caramel. Flavour is caramel, metal, chocolate and some hops. Aftertaste is caramel, alcohol and some hops.