La Caracole Nostradamus

Brewed by La Caracole
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Falmignoul, Belgium

Bottle. Hazy dark brown, small off-white head. Sweet, yeasty and malty aroma, molasses, cinnamon, strawberry and cherry. Perhaps even a hint of blue cheese in there. Quite complex in any case. Flavor is sweet & sour, malty and yeasty. Reflects the berries and spice in the aroma, although not as complex and distinct. Ends in a bitterish hoppy aftertaste, which also reveals a hint of the 9,5% abv otherwise so well hidden in this brew.

From bottle. Pours a orange brown with minimal tan head. Alcohol and dates in the nose along with other dark fruits. Flavor has some alcohol heat that blends well with figs and dates. A touch vinous as well. Works well.

Poured brown with a light brown head. The head was creamy but had short retention. Smells of figs, caramel, raisin, cinnamon, courant and cherry. Taste reminded me a bit of Three Philosophers. Very sweet with raisin, caramel and cinnamon. Palate was spicy like some Quads I’ve had. Overall a good beer but overpriced. Luckily the bartender at West Side Brewing was nice enough to let me sample this.

Figs, raisins, cinnamon and malty caramel aroma. I actually enjoy just smelling this brew. Appearance is dark mahogany brown with a nice cream colored head. Flavor is a cornucopia of rum raisin, a spicy cinnamon alcohol bite on the tip of the tongue with a black cherry, fig body that finishes with a malty sweetness coating the throat. The alcohol seems to be more of a feature of this brew with some esters (like rum) revealed as I sip. I have had this ale several times and have enjoyed each bottle as it seems to fit a variety of moods.

75cl bottle, BB 12/06...not sure how old that makes it, I’ve probably had it for a year. Deep ruby in the light, slight tan head. Aroma of raisins, plums, toffee, rum, brown sugar, cherries. Lighter than expected body, and lighter flavor too. Sweet, w/ brown sugar and something spicy...cinnamin?? maybe just caramel...reminds me of some sort of candy...and it provides the only intrigue in this beer. All the flavor comes in the finish & aftertaste. Hops seem non-existent unless they are what provides that candy spice finish...they sure don’t add any bitterness to speak of. A somewhat boring beer in most regards. Certainly not up to snuff w/ the finest dark Belgain strongs.

Bottled. Dark amber colour, mediumsized head. Aroma spice, plummy, raisins and some hoppy notes. Flavour is smooth, sweet malts with hints of raisins, plum and some acidicness in the finish. The acidic part is a bit unpleasant, otherwise a nice brew.

Bottled. Dark brown with a minor white head. The aroma consists of smoke and burnt sugar. The flavour is a mixture of burnt sugar with a dry aftertaste. I simply do not fancy it.

From bottle. Clear golden brown/orange with a beige head that disapears quickly. Nose is sweet, brown sugar and dates. Alcohol is pronounced in the flavor and nose, but mellows as it warms. Slightly sweet flavors, breadlike, with a touch of tartness in the finish. Maltiness appears after warming. Pretty nice!