De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva

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

(2004) Surprised to see this as a BSA rather than a sour ale, as the 2004 version was decidedly sour. Vibrant sunny amber body with full Brussels lacing. Sour, sweet tart and light candi sugar dominates the bouquet. Moderate sour and tartness in the body. Pretty well-stated and balanced. The alcohol content is masked remarkably well--would never guess this was more than 8 - 9%. Dangerously drinkable and an enjoyable change of pace.

330 ml bottle at home. Vintage 2008 (I will store my 2007-bottle for some years;-)). Brown color, slightly hazy. Fine beige head. Aroma is lovely; fruit and berries, sourness (brett), oak, vinous.... Flavor is just fantastic; a ditinct sourness, berries and fruit, moderate sweetness, wood/oak, discret bitterness. Very fine carbonation. Smooth. High class! And I have some 08-bottels for cellaring:-)

2007 bottle, cellar temp into a La Trappe goblet. The Very first De Dolle beer I’ve had that wasn’t a gusher. Cherry crimson with an amber warmth, and a thin head. Wildly complex nose. Sour cherries, leather, vanilla, some blackberries. The berry fruit explodes across the palate but is quickly put into check by barrel funk. Dry, very dry, in fact the finish is almost chalky. Carbonation gives very good texture, and the abv. is only felt in the warmth left from the swallow. Very well intergrated brew, the barrel aging doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb.

2007 Bottle - Thanks ygtbsm94! I saw trouble as soon as I popped this, we got a gusher...Pours (after foaming fucken everywhere) a ruddy dk amber with a small ring of tan...aroma is just beautiful, tart, vinous fruit, barrel tannin, lemon and dirt, with just a hint of spice...flavour is similar, puckery tartness, heavily phenolic, a bit of vanilla, cherry and little if any alcohol burn...the barrel presence is just amazingly complimentary to the brew...a slight bit of footy funk on the end, but that is just an outstanding beverage...

2007 bottle at De Dolle poured by Kris himself. Dark reddish-brown color with a nice off-white head. Aroma is vinous and somewhat tart with lots of other dark fruits, also barrel notes and vinegar present. The flavor is complex with dark fruits, red wine, port, chocolate, and wood. Dry finish with a fairly full body. Really great beer - brought 2 more bottles home with me from Belgium.

330 mL (2007 version) into Orval trappist. Aroma is very sour (I can’t believe this doesn’t count as a sour ale): lots of sour cherries, raspberries, strawberries with merlot, oak. Appearance is perfect: cloudy, deep mahogany with a one finger, creamy, tan head that leaves big sticky lacework. Taste is similar to a Flemish red upfront with very sour light fruits and powerful, citric tartness but with a creamy, milk chocolate background along with sourdough malt. Long, sour finish. 13% is completely hidden. This is excellent.

big thanks to captaincougar for this one. pours mahogany with a tan head. aroma of wood, tangy fruits, slight touch of alcohol on the finnish. dry finish. slight tartness of sour grapes. sticky mouthfeel. pretty well balanced. overall, really enjoyed this one. some nice subtle aromas. woody character, very smooth, with some pleasant tartness to round it out. nice beer.

330 ml bottle, vintage 2007, kindly shared by Ole R. ABV is 13%. Deeep red colour, low tan head. Vinous aroma, notes of claret, red wine vinegar and barnyard. The flavour is (more or less) "typical Flemish Red", notes of red wine vinegar, some lemony notes, astringent finish. Moderate hops. The high ABV is extremely well hidden, I might have guessed that the beer was half as strong as it actually is.