 mreusch (420), Olathe, Kansas, USA
Apr 3, 2008
Bottled April 2006 according to cap, with thanks to john_adam2002 for this rare gem! Pours a slightly cloudy golden honey color with a short but persistent fizzy white head, minimal lacing. Aroma is very bright and interesting, with spice and oak intermingled with tree fruits - apple, pear, and peach, along with a touch of honey. The flavor is warming, with a nice blend of tree fruits, spice and oak - nicely spicy sweet! Though on the lighter side, there is a lot going on here that works great together; very well done. Thanks again Adam!
arjoseph (512), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
May 21, 2008 Bottle into tulip, Kulminator, Antwerp (paid 4 euro). After previously thinking that I had had this beer and finding out that I hadn’t, I knew I had to try again on my latest trip to Europe. Overall, this was not at all what I expected. I expected that syrupy Stille Nacht sweetness and some of the warm spiciness I vaguely remember from the one time I had the 2000 Reserva. This was not that syrupy at all, the usual sweetness was gone. This was only aging three years, so it can’t be that it fermented out already. Flavors were intense, but not necessarily well put together; herbal qualities of basil and oregano were most prominent with denatured hops in the finish. Alcohol was not masked at all, either in the mouth or the finish (or the nose, for that matter). All that being said, the beer did have an elegant feel to it, and I didn’t wholly miss the over-the-top De Dolle sweetness. Clear copper in the glass with visible carbonation moving slowly up to the surface, belying the full body. Tight foamy lacing on the glass. Alcohol stings the back of the nose on the first whiff, then comes some apricot and candi sugar. Since I found it, I won’t regret not having it, but I also won’t regret not having it again.
grimreeser (601), Minnesota, USA
May 20, 2008 I actually remember this one. I think I heard angels sing. Cloudy orange with a nice white head, nice lacing. Aroma of citrus, spices, and Belgian yeast. Fantastic sweetness followed by just enough bitterness to nicely balance it. Did not disappoint. Everything I hoped for and more. Thanks Mes!
mabel (1246), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
May 19, 2008 [1135-20080229] 11.6floz. Meaty dark figgy pudding aroma with some brandy oxo cube malt notes. Hazy, light orange body with a small long-lasting foamy off-white head and some sunken floaties. Spicy sweet Belgian yeast flavour seems oaked. Medium body. Bit of a kick.
(@ Kulminator; Antwerp, BE; w/ jerc)
Vac (2161), San Diego, California, USA
May 13, 2008 Thanks for sharing this one Alex (Sick_boy282). Pours with a cloudy, orange-gold body topped by a thick, lasting, off-white head with lots of lacing left behind. It’s slightly sweet yet a touch sour with notes of lemon, a nice maltiness, a subtle bitterness and notes of yeast. Medium bodied, highly carbonated and warming.
BlackDonald (610), On a beer trip all over the USA, California, USA
May 11, 2008 This was very nice, not sure if it was as nice as it 2000 companion, although I would be really curious to see how well this one ages. This one has some butterscotch and spice notes. I think the alcohol is a little more present in this, has just a little bit of heat on the top of the mouth. Still has that familiar malt background with sweet sugary spices. Really enjoyable.
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