De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva

330 ml bottle courtesy of an extra from Beerlando a while back. 2007 Edition. Pours a deep dark murky brownish red, some amber glowing edges, a nice beige head, decent, dies to a smaller layer, a little lacing, pretty well carbonated. Aromas are a bit boozy, red wine tannins, sweet and sour cherry combination, grapes, oaky vanilla and wet wood are lighter. Fruity, yet decent wine feel, dry. Initial is a bit tart on the tounge, as sour and sweet cherries, red wine tannins, rich fruitiness, decent bitterness, decent alcohol warmth permeate. A decent maltiness comes through, but the beer stays tart and cherry fruity, leaving a decent tartness on the palate, with some sweet caramel and fruity feel to the back end. Oak comes in moreso in the body, light prickliness and wet wood, some decent red wine tannin character, bitter and tart, very interesting. An enjoyable beer, and much different than I expected. Cheers! 13% is a surprising ABV tag.. certainly it is stronger, but I would not imagine that strength on taste.

Bottle at Jydske Øldage 2009. Frothy white fair mostly deminishing head. Amber colour. moderate malty and hoppy aroma. Very alcoholic flavor. Moderate bitter and not very fruity. Average finish. Oily palate.

Bottled 33cl. Vintage 2008. It pours a murky ruby beer. Sour aroma of pear an cherry. Complex. The alcohol is very well hidden. Acidic. Dryish alcoholic finish which is reminiscent of cherry. Very good.

Sample at Esbjerg beerfestival. Medium head with medium duration. Color is brown. Aroma and taste are malt, fruits, yeast citrus and lots of lactose acid.

2007 Bottle from WLV, I believe. Pours a dark red/brown. Big fluffy head that dissipates. Nose is cherries, some vinegar and dusty as well as some funk brett aromas and caramel. On taste, it’s a smack of acidity, followed by some metallic chocolate and cherries. Definitely don’t feel the alcohol until it warms my chest. Pretty outstanding for something you find regularly at a good price. Excellent.

Bottle. 11.2 oz. (2008) Pours a deep, marbled, hazy brown. High, textured, beige head with specks of spice. Lovely, gratuitous sedimentations. Beautiful lacing. Aroma of caramel, roasted malts, raisins, walnuts, clove, pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla. Firm, yet unbelievably smooth body. Mouthfeel is heavy, almost like a stout, but not too heavy, with slight warming. Finishes powerfully, with a bit of tart. Outstanding in every aspect. One of the best Beligan strong ales I have ever tasted. Highly recommended.

Bottle sample- pours a turbid chestnut brown with a lively offwhite head. Nose- sour cherries, and wood. Taste- very balanced sour cherry and dusty funk vs a chocolate tannic wood malt base. Mouthfeel is on the thin side and finish is slick. Drinkability is very high considering the abv. Without looking at the label, never would have guessed the horse power on this. A very unique brew and one I would enjoy trying again.

2008 version. unclear dark brown, small offwhite head. tart , sour and acid aroma, flowery, controlled and complex sour aroma. stingy at times. flavor is sour, spciy, faint malty sweet, faint caramel, burns in the mouth, wood, faint vanilla. quite complex, the sweet wood and malt notes clash with the sourish notes. surely deep and complex. alc% well hidden. there is a sharp bitter fruity tinge to it that actually leaves it somewhat more quenching. nice detail. A good sourish beer, but not the best. Very extreme - if you like extreme belgians, got to try this one.