Achel 8 Bruin

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Very deep red in colour with an absolutely Everest sized light tan head that I carefully hand-crafted till it was just over and inch above the rim of my glass. There was also a pretty good ammount of sediment that got dumped into the glass with some of it getting trapped inside the cap itself. Smells of celery salt (odd), lots of stiff yeast (not overpowering), cherries, soft warm spice and maybe a hint of orange. Very fresh, soft and crisp. There’s lots of aroma but it’s not overpowering. Every sip brought out the full force of the aroma. The smell of the spicy hops and alcohol come out after it’s warmer. Sweet and bitter taste with sour cherry notes, plum, flavourless yeast and seems to come out on the watered down side (dissapointing). Smooth mouthfeel albeit slighty watery. Early on the alcohol has a really great and enjoyable burn when colder, when warmer, it just appears smooth. Starts off great but dwindles in enjoyment. Still totally drinkable and I’ll drink more cause it’s readily available.

Massive tan head on the beer, my glass is half head and half beer, and giant craters are left in it when some of the bigger bubbles pop. The body is a very deep dark ruby red with a slight brown hue; very sticky lacing coats the glass after every swirl and sip. Sour banana, cherries, yeast, and a touch of alcohol make up a very delicious aroma, and I swear I can smell celery salt?!?!?!?!?!? The aroma is at a perfect strength not over powering and you don’t struggle to detect it. Taste is a bit of a let down, first thing I noticed was alcohol not a sharp tasting flavor but enough so it warmed the stomach, under that was your typical Belgian yeast that has that banana like flavor, and something that reminds me of cherry liquor that is served at my parents around Christmas. This wasn’t a bad tasting brew highly enjoyable but I was expecting more from the Trappist monks, oh well on to the Westvleteren Extra 8 for tonight’s Belgian strong ale-a-thon

Bottle... Poured a deep burgundy color with a thick, frothy, off-white head. Aroma of dark fruits and strong yeasty characters. Mild carbonation and a little bit of a chewy palate which balanced the sweeter, brown sugar, caramel and dark fruit flavors. A little metallic profile to it but not bad as the raison-like, acidic finish came in to balance it.

Nice beer, but not at the level of other trappists. Pours hazy brown. Raisin, brown sugar, and caramel flavours. A bit acidic, and medium hops.

UPDATED: JUN 21, 2009 Big smells..burnt caramel... banana esters ..fat yeast. I was disapointed how fast the head died compared to Achel blondes beer head. I got a big mix between lots of sweet malt..yeastiness and candy sugar .Its a cool mix to drink. Burnt vibes on every sip.

Bottle. Pours dark ruby/brown. Aroma of toasted malt. Flavour: dens, some alcohol, not overwhelming. Balance is good,although not a long lasting finish

pours golden with a real frothy head. smells of banana, yeast, and brown sugar. tastes fruitty and over carbonated. very refrehsing and good.

12 oz bottle. Trappist brewey 5 of 6 (7 if you include the one outside of Belgium. Pours a brownish-amber color with a fluffy finger+ high head that is off white that dies very slowly. Smells of caramel, brown sugar, raisin, and some nut. Very interesting deep smell to it. Tastes of caramelized sugar (in the back), walnut, and a hint of raisin. The burnt or caramelized sugar is captivating. Goes down fairly smooth, with the burnt taste staying behind, but not too full-bodied. Overall a very nice trappist brew.