 BoBoChamp (1334), Gent, Belgium
Jul 22, 2008 33cl, from De Hopduvel Gent, complex, yet easy to drink, cloudy, good head, good brew
kepano (239), Meudon, France
Jul 19, 2008 This intriguing cave-aged brew pours a light chestnut brown with ruddy highlights and a large puffy beige head which laces beautifully in sheets and rings around the glass. Certainly complex, the nose is strikingly nutty, coincidentally suggesting candied chestnuts (marrons glacés), walnuts and plenty of hazelnuts. Genuine vanilla bean is in ample supply and very attractively highlighted by browned butter and salted-butter caramel. Perhaps I was synesthetically influenced by the description, but the nose had a damp, almost mossy spice component. Spice cake, prunes, raspberries and black pepper also lend to the complexity. The flavor continues to suggest hazelnuts, though rye bread and heavy yeast aspects are also dominant. The mouthfeel is exceptionally silky, reminiscent of a good cappuccino. Dried fruits become increasingly intense as the beer warms. Particularly apparent are dried pears, apricots and figs, each lending a vinous tone to this fascinating brew. A subtle but enjoyable earthy sourness lingers with the remaining malt bitterness. Well balanced, this an exciting, unique and eminently drinkable beer. A delicate and thoughtful effort that ages well and obviously garners my respect for Pierre Celis. (24/06/07, best by 21/11/08)
mjs (1446), Helsinki, Finland
Jul 17, 2008 (0.33 l bottle at Kaisla on 2008-07-14) Dark brown. Hazy. Small white head. Yeasty and malty nose. Full and dryish palate with some carbonation. Rasin, malts, earth-like flavours and light bitterness, especially in aftertaste. Bit boring.
gary07734 (391), Tyne & Wear, England
Jun 29, 2008 0.33l bottle in Bruges cafe, Newcastle.
Pours deep muddy brown, medium head. Smell is very strong malt, like a cup of Horlicks. Taste again strong malt, also sweet and slight alcohol. Very unusual but pretty enjoyable drink.
Tranquillity (1165), Espoo, Finland
Jun 28, 2008 Bottled. Brown, beige head. Very perfumy, some honey in the nose mix. The taste is as pleasant, with a long nutty finish with bitter herbs.
alobar (1006), Harleysville, Pennsylvania, USA
Jun 28, 2008 Pours a healthy hazy copper brown with a huge head. Aroam of yeast and earth is pronounced. Taste of malts, yeast, some spice ans sweetness. Tastes more like a blonde than a brown.
Aubrey (2773), Denver, Colorado, USA
Jun 20, 2008 Smelled yeasty, earthy, doughy. Deep amber with a nice, creamy, off-white head. Medium body weighty on the tongue. Malts were nice at first, but with time they’d unlock more depth. Wholesome, underbaked bread dough quality. Light funkiness was quite pleasant, along with some aromatic herbs and flowers. A mild bitterness cleaved off the mild sweetness nicely. I’ve had this beer in my fridge for a couple months but I kept putting it off because I didn’t think it had much to offer. Boy was I wrong.
wyzzywyz22 (756), Wirral, Merseyside, England
Jun 17, 2008 Bottle, Belgian Belly, Manchester. Had drunk a few of these at Quinns over the years, but had forgotten just quite how good this is. Poured a coppery lightish brown with a fading off white head. The aroma is decidedly cave like, posessing a dank, earthy quality that is quite wonderful. There are so many hidden depths and layers to the flavour its hard to know where to start. Spices are right in there with a healthy dose of herb too, caramel and plum are there tussling with hazelnut too. Quality...gets better with each sip. I love the whole concept of cave beer; and this is certainly a bottle worth retreating to and finding solace in.
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