Maredsous 8

I would call this more of a dubbel than a Belgian strong ale, but in any case it was very good. The head is very good and so clingy that it’s almost concave in the glass. Hearty flavors of fruit and spice, with a sharp, satisfying finish. A good dessert beer, though I’d have it any time.

Coppery brown with light beige, creamy and lacy head. Aroma is fruity, yeasty, spicy, a bit gluey and slightly alcoholic. Flavor is much yeasty, fruity, spicy and a bit alcoholic with dried fruits especially in aftertaste. Full-bodied and quite much carbonated palate is oily and alcoholic.

Pours a pretty bland brown color with an off white head. Aroma is very malty, and some sweetness probably from the candy sugar, and also dark fruits. Flavor iwas mainly dark fruits,sweet, a bit sourness at the end with some spices thrown in.

On tap at Bishops Arms, Järntorget, Gothenburg. A clear brown beer with a lasting creamy, off-white head. Dried fruits, marzipan, caramel and malty sweetness in the aroma. There’s a significant alcohol flavor, but enough dried fruits, almonds, marzipan, dark sugar and caramel to support it, and there’s also a nice bitterness towards the finish. There’s also caramel sweetness and dried fruits in the finish. Full body. A lovely by-the-fire beer and also refreshing in a way, at least before it warms up. (080709)

Bottled. Dark and hazy brow to amber colour. The light beige head is cloudy. Aroma has sweet fruits (banana, raisins), yeast and alcohol in the finish. Lots of spiciness, at least something peppery. Medium sweet and a bit "sharp" due to spiciness. Also some sourness of fermented fruits in the finish. Medium bodied. A proper is glassware is needed due to raletive high CO2 content.

On tap at Julians 7/22. Dourk brown with a medium tan head, Aroma of dark fruits, and burnt candy sugar. taste much the same, with some additional vineous and tart fruit notes. Nice beer.

Had this on tap at the Cheeky Monk in Denver. It has that "imported taste" that is strong with most Belgians and I find it fairly disagreable. I wish that I could describe it besides being similar to the oxidized wet-cardboard flavor. It was dark amber with little head and some lacing. Smelled of Raisins and some noble hops. Tasted of Dates and had a strong alcohol presence.

Draught@Bishop’s Arms, Järntorget, Göteborg. Beautiful tanned cream head. Dark ruby-brown with good clarity. Marizipan and mellow caramellish malts in the aroma. Refined, light sweet malt flavor. Notes of almonds and cherries. Smooth. Warm, delicate malty finish. Harmonious and easy drinkable. Yum!