De Molen Pek & Veren (Tar & Feathers)

Bottle from State Line. Pours dark brown with ruby edges and 2-finger tan head. Nose is dark malt, smoked almonds, molasses, slight cacao. Tastes roasty, on the dry side, with a subdued rauchy element, plus notes of cacao, port, nuts, and earthy malt.

On tap at Portland International Beerfest 2008--Poured a deep dark brown-black body with a thick tan head. Nutty, peaty, licorice nose. Mild booziness, thick and biting. Slick finish that made me happy to be glad to be tarred and feathered!

At the brewery pub. A dark brown colored beer, with a thick foamy beige head. The aroma of walnuts and hopbitter. The taste is not as strong assume the aroma. It’s bitter, with some sweets of roasted malts. A long bitter, with a little sour and a dry aftertaste.

(Bottled, 0.75l) Very dark with a smallish-medium, tanned and lacy head. Aroma of tarry, peaty, smoked malt, some licorice and caramel. Smoothly licorice-malty flavor at first, but finishes dry and somewhat bitter. Hints of sourness and warming alcohol (like in a very peaty-smoky whiskey, but not intrusive at all). Medium, slicky-velvety body with soft carbonation. Very balanced, reasonably complex, enjoyable. I feel I’ve written the same of most of de Molen brews...

Appearance: Pours a dark, reddish-brown body with a small, whitish head. Smell: Fruity upfront in the nose, smelling of a handful each of raisins and prunes. Also notes of smoked malt, licorice, baker’s chocolate, and roast. Taste: Smokey malts blended with a full fruitiness. Pinch of roast and licorice. A couple chocolate squares. Mild, earthy hop bitterness. Sour hints as your come to the end. Discreet smokiness on the fruit finish. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Rather lively carbonation. Drinkability: A fairly enjoyable smoked brew from the good folks at De Molen. De Molen De Merrier, I always say!