Maredsous 8

After reading Michael Jackson’s book Great Beers of Belgium and reading his raves about Maredsous and their beers, I of course had to jump at the opportunity to try one which the venerable Beer Hunter himself rated as one of his all-time favorite Belgian beers.
Pours a gorgeous rich moist earthen brown, like fresh soil, with a beautiful tan head at least 2 fingers thick. It takes a couple minutes for the head to settle into a luscious thin layer with brussels lace already gracing the sides of my glass. Sweet malty nose with hints of caramel, prunes, and some winter spices, nutmeg maybe. With great anticipation I take my first quaff. Sweet with a full body and mouthfeel. She is highlighted by the typical and spectacular Belgian effervescence which always keeps their beers dancing effortlessly on my palate. Sweet malts and chewy yeasts up front with caramel and prunes rounding out my initial impression. A dry finish with a growing warmth which highlights the spices I detect, nutmeg and some cinnamon. A richly complex dubbel from Maredsous, Brussels lace continues to coat my glass as I continue to quaff her luscious brew. The further I go, the more she mellows into a fabulous blend of sweet malts versus rich bitter nuts and warm winter spices with a hint of hop bitterness in the finish.
A fantastic beer from the Maredsous and right up there with other fine dubbels I have enjoyed in the last couple years. An easy drinking anytime beer, there is no question I could sit down at anytime and enjoy a Maredsous 8 by itself or with some rich creamy cheese and crackers.

Bottle. Brilliant, dark amber color, high carbonation forms a big head, malty caramel dubbel aroma, not much yeast aroma, touch of roast. Very robust flavor, a touch astringent, semi dry and semi bitter in finish. No hops detected. Full bodied, fairly clear, very little trub. Well done.

Had this on tap at Chimes East in Baton Rouge, La. It’s a reasonably priced higher gravity beer (not as cheap as Andy Gator, but better tasting). Slightly sweet taste, not very carbonated and the higher alcohol content doesn’t jump out at you like it does with some. I have it every time I go to Chimes.

Nice beer, but it needs to be warm before it tastes good, and I mean ’nearly room temperature’ warm. Aroma is a nice and slightly bitter one note caramel scent. Strong taste, not terribly subtle, but good. Aftertaste isn’t the best, but it has one and it’s a step above average, though woody in the negative sense. Very malty though, in its favor.

I like this one better than the 10, but I agree with most that it is sweet and although I like that in a brunn, this one is a little too sweet. Never-the-less, it’s a pretty good beer.

Bottle & tap. Dark brown/reddish colour, beige head. Nose of dark fruits and brown sugar, some yeast. Taste is rather sweet, caramel/brown sugar, roasted malts. Bitter finish. Too sweet for me.

Bottle. Celebrating my team (Randers FC) first win at Brøndby!!!!!! 3-0!!!!!!! Creamy off-whiteexcellent mostly lasting head. Brown-amber colour. Powerfull malty and moderate hoppy aroma. Loads og Caramellic and chocolate notes. Powerfull strong heavy bitter flavor, sweet chocolate notes aswell. Perfectly balanced long finish. Creamy palate. Excellent.

Initially i thought it was cask’d. Very dry woody feel. Fruity in scent and taste with normal belguim accents of spice and yeast. Rich and malty also. Nice.