De Dolle Boskeun

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Pours a cloudy, tawny, straw color into the trappist glass. There was about an inch of frothy white head that showed excellent retention, and a sticky ring of lacing accompanying the head on the way down. The scent was of yeast, bubblegum and honey. A very complex flavor with hints of spice, honey, dough and malt. There was a sweetness upfront with a mild bitterness in the finish. This is an excellent strong ale.

UPDATED: JUN 5, 2008 Bottle. Opaque carbonated caramel pour, very thick foamy head. Tons of sticky lacing. Aroma is lively: bright apples, mango, some rasberry. Flavor is sour apple, mango, cinnamon, assorted citrus. Very silky smooth and watery; distinct and very drinkable.

Poured a hazy golden color with a huge fluffy white head that took a while to recede and left behind some nice lacing. The aroma was of citrus fruits, hops, and some yeast as well. The flavor was similar with the citrus fruits coming through with some hops in the background. I also get some yeast and wheat qualities with some herbs and spices as well. There was alot going on in the background with every sip. The honey and malt sweetness started to come through as it warmed it up a bit as well. It was medium bodied with a nice full texture that went down smooth. The finish was dry and crisp with some sweet spices left behind. Another great brew from De Dolle.

UPDATED: NOV 17, 2007 Pours cloudy light amber with a small head. Aroma was very strong alcohol and nice typical Belgian spice and bread in the background. Flavor was overpowering with the alcohol and bitter hops. Bread-like yeast, citrus and coriander flavors are also present, but were far in the background Though I could tell this is a well crafted beer, I just did not really enjoy it.

UPDATED: MAR 24, 2010 Bottle, at the Moeder Lambic pub in Brussels. My brief notes, scribbled in the margins of a book, read: "Big! Bursty! Yum!" I guess that about sums it up; must re-rate for more details! ***Re-rated on an aged bottle, min. 2 years old. Has tiny particulates suspended in a bright orange brew with lasting tight cream-colored head. Aroma is quite obviously oxidized and has imparted a vanilla creme sweetness as well. The palate has thinned and become fizzy. What remains is simply alcohol and a strange menthol sensation on the tongue as well as charred bottom of pan. This did NOT age well!

Aroma:Fruity,citrus aroma.... Appearance:pours hazy amber,good white head... Flavor:Citrus,fruity,strong alcohol flavor...

UPDATED: MAY 18, 2008 Had to give this one a rerate due to the possibility of a problem with my last bottle. Pours a peachy straw yellow with a profuse thick creamy white head. The nose is sweet, fruity, Belgian funk, some candy. The flavor is very crisp and dry, alcohol present in the background, citrusy hops, sweet candy, Belgian funk. Explosive carbonation makes for a very very lively mouthfeel and the alcohol and hops deliver a warm and waxy finish. Much better the second time around, doesn’t smell/taste like vermouth this time.

UPDATED: AUG 12, 2007 (Bottle) Pours hazy amber. Complex aroma with everything well mixed together. The malt is light toasted with bread and tiny hints of cookies. Hops bring flowers up front but also some notes of herbs and hints oranges. Spicy tones of coriander, light clove and light pepper. Extremely fruity with notes of ripe banana, apricot, peach, pears, red apples, pineapples, tiny hints of grapefruit and many other fruits. Also some bubblegum, honey, sugar, syrup, yeast and dough. The flavour continues in the same complex mode as the aroma. Fruits, spicy yeast, hops, malt, kind honey sweetness and the balanced De Dolle acid touch. Rather dry and woody finish with a light bitterness. The mouthfeel is soft, velvety and full. Perfect carbonation and texture. Medium to full body. There are a lot of nasty, over sweet, over yeasty Belgian beers out there but this is a good example of the Belgian complexity having 15 minutes in the sun. The Dolle is a unique brewery and one of the brightest stars on the beer heaven.