Achel 8 Bruin

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Bottled. Hazy, dark reddish amber beer. Creamy head has fine texture. Complex aroma has drid figs, apricots, fresh strawberries and dark syrup. Fruity, slightly bubblegummy yeast character. A hint of vanilla in the finish with herbal hoppiness and creamy chocolate. Sweetish flavor of dark syrups and dried fruits balanced by dryish maltiness. Medium bodied, slick texture. High but smooth carbonation. Lovely beer with complex yet surprisingly light character.

UPDATED: AUG 11, 2010 Very well balanced. Slightly hoppier than your typical Belian Dubbel. Travels well in the bottle. Clean but flavorful with a delicate chocolate finish. Outstanding.

Pleasant aroma and appearance. The taste is good, but without depth and with an annoying metallic aftertaste. A bit boring on the palate but not bad. Good beer, but not alot more than that.

Bottle, fridge chilled. Poured very dark, when held up to the light could see slight hints of deep red. Poured with a reasonably large creamy head. Looked great in the glass. Good aroma of raisins and fruits. Very smooth on the palate, highly carbonated, feels great in the mouth. Big smooth flavours, but dry and light. Just a great beer.

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!