Kasteelbier Donker

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ingelmunster, Belgium

33cl Bottle. Aroma is caramell and some malt. Taste is really sweet and syrupy with lots of dark fruit,burnt sugar and caramel in the mix.

Belgian Brown ales are definitely a different brew then American or English brown ales. I love Belgian brown ales when I am in the mood for a succulently rich, complex brew. Kasteel Donker is no exception, and it didn’t take me long to realize that this particular brown ale is best enjoyed only slightly chilled.
My Kasteel Donker came in a corked 750ml bottle, as if there were any other way to enjoy a Belgian beer. Maybe, but I prefer them this way. She poured a thick dark brown into my glass. Tinges of amber glint along the sides of my glass while a small head lingers on top then fades into a soft ring. I swirl her liquid depths before taking a good whiff of her nose. Sweet malty nuts along with caramel and crisp fall apples almost like cider tease me with taste sensations to come. As I go to take my first quaff, brussels lace line my glass and sticks like spider webs. Since Kasteel had only just come out of the fridge, my first couple quaffs were mouth-coating thick and viscous. Not overly sweet, but definitely a sweeter brown ale presence then some others. Candy apples and spiced cider along with sweet roasted nuts are the first flavors I taste. As full-bodied as Kasteel is the finish is pleasantly semi-dry with a tinge of bitterness in the aftertaste. As Kasteel warmed I was amazed at how much she opened up. She becomes less sweet and nuttier with a well balanced palate of molasses, caramel and spiced apples. A very enjoyable finish.
Kasteel Donker is an excellent Belgian brown ale. With its rich and complex palate I enjoyed her more than I do many of the lighter varieties of brown ales. Next time I enjoy my Kasteel Donker I will definitely remember to only give her a minor chill because her colors truly shine when drunk that way.

Dark with thin head that dissipates quickly. Smell is ok, but tastes overly sweet. Overall, a disappointment.

Bottle. Dark reddish brown colour, beige head. Very sweet aroma of alcohol, dark fruits and malts. Flavour is sickling sweet, syrup, alcohol and sweet malts. Wayyyy too sweet, I can’t finish this beer.

The head disappears quickly. The aroma is malty and sweet with more than a hint of alcohol. Taste is thick, syrupy but malty and of dark bread. The flavor is syrupy.

A 0.33L bottle from Alko shop. A fast disappearing pale brown head. Red brownish colour. Some syrup and maltiness in the taste. Also some oak in the taste(?). Hoppiness in the end.

Pours dark mohagony with a small head. The nose is chocolate and caramel. Comes across the palate as strong caramel, chocolate and even some plum.

Pours dark mohagony with a small head. Aroma is dark fruit and a bit of alcohol. Mouth feel is thick and smooth with little carbonation present. Flavor is much the same with a nice sweetness and a touch of sour fruit for good measure. Alcohol is well hidden.