Kasteelbier Donker

Courteys of Matta in my very first trade. Pours dark ruby/brown with no head. Lots of sweet caramel malt in the aroma, very bread-like. Flavor is all sweet malt and sugar with a tiny bit of alcohol. Lots of resisuel sugar. Too sweet for sure. 4-5oz sample would be enough for a dessert.

Bottle (330ml). In an Orval chalice. Pours a dark, reddish brown - off white head, thin, dissipates quickly, minimal side lacing. Aromas of dark, sweetish malt, more than a hint of alcohol, steeped fruit (apple, plum, raisin). Flavour - hits you big - strong alcohol and ripe apple, with fermented raisin, sweet malty/yeasty notes, cloves, black pepper. Very sweet, but it works for me with the aging. Alcohol lingers - definite flavour and aftertaste of sweet wine, like gewurtztrauminer. My bottle is at least 8 months old - better balanced now, more interesting - I will buy more if/when they come around again.

Bottle: Courtesy of Styles. Fruity aroma with light yeastiness and a hint of alcohol. Pours a very dark mostly transparent copper with a small off-white head. Fruity up fruit but finishes excessiviely sweet. Lots of sugar and just too sweet for me. Not enough other flavors to balance out all the sugary sweetness.

Deep ruby colour. Nice head. Sweet-ish marzipan aroma. Sweet, fruity flavour with warming alcohol. Well-balanced and very drinkable.

Sweet chocolate malt aroma. Clear red brown colour with good head and lacing. Sweet chocolate malt flavour. Smooth long lingering palate.

Dark brown offering with a minimal tan head. Alcohol evident immediately alongside sweet fruitiness. Thinner than expected but still coats mouth with malty caramel sweetness. Seems like a bit too much carbonation too - overall decent but not great.

Another beer brought from Ontario by my loving wife. Poured in a Chimay chalice. Good looking beer, not much head. Lacing is OK, but not exceptional. Smell is complex, with some prunes and raisins. But the taste!! Oh wow. I’ve been missing out on real beer in the land of the 5% lager, but this is a real treat. Big Belgian Strong flavours, kind of like Trois Pistoles or something. Sweet, but not too much so. You really get the feeling of all the alcohol being there without it being overwhelming. I loved it!

An excellent dark brown brew. More than expected. Taste is sweet and alcohol is well hidden. One of the best browns sampled from belgium