De Dolle Oeral

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

UPDATED: MAY 4, 2008 I noticed the cap was labeled JUN05, and assumed my sole specimen was bottled on that date as I had purchased it only a few months ago from De Bierkoning in Amsterdam. When I found out it was the drink by date, I decided I had better give it a taste right away. My pour was a bit overzealous and resulted in an immense fuzzy white head that condenses to a fluffy layer on top and reveals the apple juice body beneath. Yeast, and a cider-like sourness emerge along with aromas of Champagne, white grapes, coriander, pepper, cloves and a touch of smoked ham. A rather bucolic aroma that progresses to the tongue with the addition of light grains (wheat) and a dry bitter finish that blends hops, coffee and chalky notes. The surprising smoky flavor becomes increasingly conspicuous as the beer warms and adds a definite touch of originality to this brew. The initially prominent carbonation recedes rapidly to yield a smooth creamy texture. Another success for De Dolle.

Bottle. Bitingly triple-coriander aroma that hints at sweetness that is not to be found in the beer. This golden beer, with a tufty, excessive white foam head, is all mustardy coriander. It tastes as if there is no sugar, and maybe a small amount of one or two complementary spices. It’s all dry, almost to the point of being salty, a little bit sour, a littl ebit of a not too pleasant hop, a little bready. Wanted to find something to like here, but it comes across as a below average tripel style ale. Not up to par for the brewery.

Deep orange coloured beer, with a big fluffy white head. Not much of an aroma, just a bit fruity. The taste is dry bitterness with a long bitter aftertaste. (Bottle 33cl)

33 cl bottle, sampled at Vilvordia 06. No info about the bottling or expiry dates. Dark golden, very fine veil, big and fluffy head. Dry, hoppy, phenolic aroma. Dry, very hop bitter taste, long bitter aftertaste. Drying and pretty flat in the mouth. It reminds somewhat of Arabier, but less complex and (even) hoppier.

Bottle. Hight white head. Yellow unclear body. Banana aroma. Grapefruit flavor. I am sure it is intended that this beer should be sour. Not my taste.

Deep blond color; giant thick head. Very nice aroma, spicy, some malt, cellar, classic Belgian. The taste is malty, but it’s spoiled by what for me it’s a too high bitterness, unmatched in Belgian beers. The final as well is characterized by this dry bitterness.
Earlier Rating: 7/25/2002 Total Score: 4
Golden colour, with a magnificent head and a beautiful lace. Pleasant spicy hop aroma, sour & fruity. Good mouth sensation, sweet in the front and bitter (tart) in the end, passing through a well married sourness. Quite good malt in the taste and hop in the palate, pretty long and dry.

Bottled. Brilliant rich, frothy, creamy head on a hazy/opaque orange pour. Head really is magnificent here. Sweetish aroma, yeasty, spicy, lemon peel, orange and coriander. Sour and bitter in both middle and end phase. Hops are out of control here - fruits are covered over by the bitterness. Didn’t quite expect this, a lot of fun to drink. Extremely dry finish. Excels.

UPDATED: JUL 25, 2006 Hazy golden/ amber orange colour. large white head. Very Fruity and yeasty aroma, some citrus. Full body, little sweet. Finish is rather spicy and little bitter. A very nice beer.