De Dolle Arabier

Brewed by De Dolle Brouwers
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Diksmuide, Belgium

Cloudy golden appearance with a big, rocky head - cellared aroma, with spices, bananas, pears, tartness - flavor is initially yeasty and somewhat sour (very lambic-like) - earthy, barnyardy (if that makes sense) - tartness fades and a mild sweetness develops, with some white-wine, grape skins - not the best de dolle has to offer, but a unique beer none-the-less (I expect nothing less from this brewer).

I must say that I have never opened a quality beer from the bottle and had it make such a loud noise. The head is mountainous and bitter, yet beneath that pillow of froth, I can smell the floral, dry and bitter, yeasty, citrus rind beer. It will take months for the head to settle, I just don’t have the patience, so I must start the drinking from beneath the rocky head. As it smells, the flavor is yeasty and bitter, heavy with citrus zest; and the lacing is ridiculous, it’s like insulating foam. When I pour in the sediment, the beer turns from an exceptionally effervescent clear amber fizz, into a murky orangeish, golden, brown color. The Mad Brewers put together a great beer in this Arabier, but not one that makes me especially horny, “Austin Powers,” the movie not the RateBeer member.

Bottle: Dirty straw, very cloudy, HUGE sudsy white head, fairly nice lacing, vibrant carbonation.   Sharp bready aroma, slightly floral, citrus twist, somewhat candyish.   Bready start, not as sweet as suggested on the nose, quite malty actually.   Body and mouthfeel are moderate.   Finishes very doughy.   Aroma suggested it being a bit more spiced, but it seemed like a very dull Tripel that was very bready/malty with only a slight hint of citrus sweetness.   Still good, but somewhat of a let down after smelling it.

Orange rind isn’t uncommon in BSA’s, but this with the spiciness almost puts it into witbeer territory. Nice and dry with a signature apricot flavor that I have come to notice in almost all the dolle brews. An interesting BSA, Not the best de Dolle. I’d like to see how it ages.

Poured a cloudy golden color huge huge huge head which left great lacing. Aroma was very yeasty wheat and some spices. Flavor was wheaty and yesty had a bitter bit throughout. Good but not great.

Somewhat sweet aroma, some caramel, and floral scents. Pours hazy amber with a fluffy white head. Some feint caramel flavors, sweet almost sour in the back, with a crisp dry finish. Very carbonated. Crisp dry finish. Reminds me of XX Bitter, but not quite there.

Draft, Max’s 3rd Annual Belgian Beer Festival. Hazy, honey-golden appearance; headless. Tart, honey and candy sugar in the aroma. Light carbonation; full, viscous mouthfeel: honey, yeasty, and full of esters. Medium, chewy finish; slightly floral and citrus.