De Proef Lunatique (Cuvee Diabolique)

Brewed by De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Abbey Tripel
Lochristi, Belgium

750ml bottle pours clear gold with a large white head. Nose is sweetened cracker malts and white wine, with a heavy note of pear and a lighter note of pineapple. Medium to full body, someone sharp on the palate, which works well with the fruity sweet flavors throughout - a lot of ripe pear, some soft pineapple, some green apple and green grapes, with a touch of alcohol in the nose at warmer temperatures. Quite nice overall, even if it nevers develops a lot of depth.

bottle. pours a bright clear straw yellow color, very good size foamy white head that bubbles up over an inch, clears quick enough but leaves a very nice ring and some heavy lacing. Aromas dominated by sticky sweet fruit notes. Flavor is surprisingly muted- some light honey grain notes, some fruity boozy phenols, small amounts of yeasty twang and a very slight bitterness. Not at all bad tasting, but not as full flavored and complex as one might hope. Very crisp and even on the palate, with a smooth clean finish.

75cl bottle from Total Wine (Tampa). Rated on 4/17/08. Pours a cloudy golden color with a thick and frothy white head that diminishes quickly. Smells sweet and spicy with notes of honey and phenol. Flavor is sweet, toffee, caramel, hops. Full-bodied beer (like a dubbel style) with quick, slightly watery bitter finish. Interesting ale.

750ml bottle from BevMo. Poured a bright clear light yellow/gold with lots of effervescence. A large white head and very nice sheeting lacing. Mild on the Belgian aroma/flavor and mainly a fairly subdued, wheat and light malt flavors. Not much hops and all in all very pleasant.

Strong, yeasty nose from this very golden and opaque Belgian. The flavor is delicate, slightly sour on the finish. Not particularly fancy package for a very well executed beer.

750 ml bottle. poured a sunshine-y lemon yellow with heavy floral and nutmeg aroma and sturdy white marshmallow fluff head. Front palate was buttery with a coriander middle and a mild hop finish. A nice vanilla cake flavor rounded out the after-taste. Easy to drink, which might not be the best thing for a beer with a higher ABV. Could be nicely paired with lighter fare in the summer time such as brie baked in filo dough with crisp granny smith apples.

Hazy beige with orangey accents. Very apricotty nose with yeast and breadcrust. Flavour is well-balanced, fruity-yeasty with good malt character but it finishes dry. Simple tripel, but quite pleasant.

Apple nose. Pale yellow color. Grainy, nut-cakey malt character with dry hoppy finish. Nicely textured palate.