Kasteelbier Donker

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

This is a very tastefull beer. Very dark. I have several in my basement. You can keep them there for a long time and when its time to whipe of the dust... sante!

750ml bottle. Cork dated 11/2003. Best by 11/2008. Pours a hazy brown with hints of red. Thin tan head. Lots of sheeting lace. Smells fruity. Rich caramel and vinous aromas. Rich and fruity flavor. Alcohol still present in this nearly three year old sample. Sweetish and candy sugar flavore. Hints of plum and notes of port. Big beer, thick and sticky mouth although the low level of alcohol taste dries it out, keeps the sweetness in check. This is some nice brew. Some more for the cellar is in order.

Bottle. Decent head with medium duration. Color is brown. Heavy aroma of fruits and spices. Taste is sweet and fruity with some alcohol.

750 thanks to Vyvvy for sharing. plum hue with a soff off-white soapy head. nose of vineous red grapes, like a red wine, dark fruit, musty leather quality and plums. wow, this is a sweet one. lots of dark fruit with a hard candy note as well. body is medium with a cloying sweetness. red grape skins on the finish. way too much sweetness here-needs some dryness to round out the brew.

Cork date 08-2004. Pours dark brown with garnet tint - there didn’t seem to be any bottle conditioning. Lots of dark fruit on the aroma - figs, dark cherries. There is also brown sugar, sweet roasted malt and some alcohol warmth. Thick syrupy mouthfeel with light carbonation. Taste is very sweet and cloying with some Belgium earthiness, dark fruits and brown sugar. Finish is much of the same. An okay beer, but there are much better for the style.

Pours dark brown with a thin head. The aroma is alcohol and raisins. Sweet and smooth, with a good bit of raisin and licorice in the flavor.

Bottle. Dark brown with a large creamy light brown head, mostly diminishing, good lacings. Aroma heavy malty , brown fruit, light hoppy. Flavor heavy sweet, light bitter, in a good balance. Medium body, soft carbonated. You feel the alcohol.

750ml bottle, cork is dated Mar. 2004. Malty, sweet and fruity aroma, toffeeish, sugary and lightly bready with notes of red grape, black cherry, plum and raisin. Deep mahogany color, initial pour is clear with a fine, uneven, light tan head and sheets of fine lace. Flavor profile is predominantly malty, full of brown sugary sweetness with vinous and lightly musty accents, finishing with a noticeably alcoholic, spicy tinge. Palate is smooth, sticky and warming, low in effervescence with a body that is quite full. Interesting but not a lot of complexity noted here.