De Proef Lunatique (Cuvee Diabolique)

Brewed by De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Abbey Tripel
Lochristi, Belgium

pours a very, very pale yellowish-white. aroma is very complex, like apples, strawberries, champagney and cinnamon. the strongest aroma is by far, apple juice and would seem overpoweringly sweet. flavor is difficult to explain. it starts out tasting like a mimosa (very sweet and fruity), but the sweetness is fleeting and is replaced with a dry bubbliness. alcohol content is noticeable, but masked well. feels very fizzy and a slight bit dusty. dries out my mouth a little bit.

A frothy white foam of moderate dimension is eternal thanks to champaigny carbonation activating among the sedimented gold. Gently estery nose that feels clean, fresh and spicy, more doughy than very characterful. The first mouth contact surprises with its higher than expected sweetness, though it does dry-out in the finish, which revolves around fresh bread and exotic fruitiness. At 8.5% alcohol, this remains quite drinkable. Its mouthfeel is, not surprisingly, influenced by biting, rather small-bubbled carbonation which accentuate the dry-out effect, but do not feel fluffy or pillowy like top examples. Rather straightforward, sweetish tripel, but sometimes, this is what you’re craving for.

Pours a nice hazy golden color, with a big head. Aroma of malt and some fruit, with pretty much the same taste with decent carbonation. This is a pretty good beer, but not nothing near to Karmeliet or even the Golden Monkey for that matter. And it was from Belgium too... LC-CP

750 cc bottle. Pours turbid gold with 3-fingers of clingy white head. Nose is spicy and yeasty, with some floral, fruity, and slight rock sugary notes. Tastes floral, more sweet and fruity than I suspected, with some apricotty honey notes late, and floral, spicy yeasty notes at mid-palate. Gets a bit tarter late, and the rock sugary fruity sweetness is replaced a bit by a more spicy dry floral hit. Decent.

(Sample Date: 12/20/2008 Source:Other) 750 ml bottle 8.5% ABV Grainy with peach and pear aroma. Toasty. Slightly cloudy light golden with small white head. Grainy flavor with light fruits and spicy Belgian yeast character and honey and candy sugar. Spicy subtle bitterness. Medium body and mouthfeel. Sweet finish with residual spiciness. Very good.

Poured clear gold with a bright white head that had excellent retention and lacing. Aromas of ripe fruit, banana mostly, and clove. Lemon and other citrus were the strongest flavors, overall a malty sweetness ruled the day. Light to medium body, generous carbonation, and an aftertaste that featured the lemony sweetness. Held up well to the spicy sausage I had with it, but I wouldn’t recommend the pairing.

Pours a transparent deep golden bronze with a well-lacing frothy white head. Aroma of sweet biscuity, sugary caramel malt with lots of light fruity notes and yeasty esters. Starts with lots of carbonation and sugary sweetness with some light caramel and lemon notes before a slightly drier, but still sweet finish. Pretty one dimensional with a lot of candi sugar sweetness and not enough underlying complexity.

#534 (Jimmy Foxx). A most pleasant experience, not overpowering, generates a most agreeable buzz, presents a smooth and buttery consistency, a sweet flavor with a butterscotchy presence. Got more cloudy and better as it got towards the bottom of the (big) bottle.