 TAR (1993), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
Dec 2, 2003 Updated: Dec 3, 2003Rich ruby with plum highlights. Lush, rocky mocha froth. Extremely estery nose with lots of currants, caramel, and port notes. Whispers of chocolate, smoke, earth, coffee, and perfume, sprinkled over a flurry of woody malts. Fluffy, eruptive, almost chewy carbonation. Full-bodied. Just beautiful as can be, and so addictive. Starts with lots of Belgian zest right away along with some chocolate. Myriads of woody malts flirt with the airiness. Chewy ripe currant skins, dough, and charred sugars envelop the back of the throat, almost making it chewy. Ends with portlike tendencies, vigorous chocolate malts, and coffee atop a spattering of caramel and cream. Lingering hints of leather, iron, perfume, and flowers. Extremely warming. Amazingly malty for Belgian, yet still possessing the esters, fluffy body, and substantial dryness to carry the body beyond belief. Purely flooring concoction that will repeatedly beckon awes from your head until you cuddle up to another bottle.
ElGaucho (1719), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Mar 5, 2005 Strong alcohol aroma; sweet and rich and not much in the way of a typical Belgian beer aroma. Reminds me in aroma and flavor of Abbaye Des Rocs Grand Cru. Very large tan head. Lasting. It is so nice to see a head last. Strangely, not much lace. Dark, almost fully opaque, brown body. Leaves some yeast at the bottom of the glass. Very good; better than the Abbaye Des Roc. It is stronger. Sweet, caramel mouthfeel. Very carbonated, warming. A real treat. I can still taste it a day later. Thanks Slikwily for sending this brew.
jimhilt (1356), Bow, New Hampshire, USA
Oct 13, 2003 Pours with a thick, 5-finger plus, light brown head that gradually fades slowly, leaves hardly any lace. Takes 15 minutes just to pour. Dark, brown color. Nose is very sweet and malty. Heavy bodied but light carbonation. Starts sweet, finishes smooth and sweet with just a trace of hops. An excellent Belgian style ale. $8.99 for a 22oz bottle. The ABV is 9.0% now.
JPDIPSO (4180), Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA
Apr 3, 2004 Bottled July '02. Deep brown with a ruby tint. Tall thick head of light tan. Light sheet of lace. Rich and mild aromas of dark berries, toffee, dark toast, light fruit, dark candi and many other subtleties. Rich moderately thick and silky in feel. Flavors follow in line with aromas. I am not detecting the alcohol in this one until 3/4 of the way through and that is a numbing feeling rather than any taste or burning. Simply smooth and eloquent. Thanks slikwily for sending this one my way. Now I have to find another.
raindog (525), Evansville, Indiana, USA
Nov 5, 2003 Updated: Dec 30, 2005Re-rate:Yep,this is a favorite of mine. Earthy,sweet,yeasty....delicious!!! Deep,dark,brown.Red hues. Huge,khaki,head. The slowest pour doesn’t help.Dense and very creamy. Extremely aromatic. Fresh yeast(peppery),dark fruit,bready/sweet malts,in the aroma. The sofest carbonation,and very creamy mouthfeel. Full body. Great bisciut,fruity,malts in the flavors.Slightly yeasty,and medicinal. Finish is bready,fruity with lingering pepper(yeast). Alcohol is pleasent and warming. Was buzzing half way through the bottle. The alcohol sticks out a bit much in the aroma,and that’s about the only complaint.In a blind tasting there would be no doubt this was made in Belgium. Excellent Us made Belgian!!
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