4.2 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Very frothy brew with slight fruit nose. I was apprehensive about the thyme, but was very pleased with the unique blending of subtle flavors. The alcohol bite was pleasant in the finish. I have since bought several more bottles and think it is a very fine beer to enjoy on a chilly evening.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
2002 Version shared big bottle. Very nice beer. This started out with a faint friuty taste. Couldn't taste the alcohol. It was hidden very well.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
One of the best Christmas-beers. Dark fruit and citrus in the aroma. Flavor ending with a lot of laqurice.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Bottle. Pours a very hazy brown color, almost no light coming through. Medium head with a decent amount of lacing. Roasted sweet malts, slightly bready and yeasty with hints of ripe fruits and banana bread. Has that really nice Belgian profile that so many other beers try to duplicate. Alcohol is well hidden, and only appears very slightly in the finish. This is good, I could drink this all the time!
4.2 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
This stuff was awesome! Nice astringent herbal aroma, the thyme is not as present as I thought it would be, but there are definitely powers at work here. Kind of a schnapps like bite, with some medicinal flavors, that meld very well with the chocolate and fruit going on. Some apricot, figs, plums and other delectable flavors are present. This is highly tasty, with a rich spicy finish, bravo!
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Rating # 310
Vintage 2002: This is yet another beer I have let sit for many months, I figured that since the 2003 is already on the shelf I may as well sample this bottle now.
A rocky caramel colored head that stretches into the heavens, beneath rests a body that shins like a backlit polished amber stone, beautiful! The nose is full of fruit and spice, the flavor and mouth feel are euphoric!
The body is rich yet carbonated, notes of molasses, cedar woods, plums, and blackberry are most abundant.. I then detect the use of caramelized brown sugar, and a lovely yeasty profile reminds me of freshly toasted wheat and honey nut bread. A trific use of spice… clove, thyme, nutmeg, rosemary, and a pinch of freshly crushed black pepper. Man this is a pretty complex brew for me! More amazing suggestions of vanilla bean and blackberry………. I could go on forever with descriptions about this beer but I would rather recommend you buying a bottle and sampling it for yourself!!!
This is world class by my standards!! ~ FantasticO
4.2 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 15/20
2003 750 ml Bottle. A leftover from last year. I think that it may be worth cellaring this another year. Reddish brown, clear, tan lasting "Nice" head. Aroma of sharp cheese, musty fruit, and hops. Flavor is sharp and hoppy. Thin and thick at the same time. Malty, yet the alcohol thins tha palate. Suprised by the extreme hops in this one, especially after a year.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
UPDATED: MAY 27, 2005 Limited Edition 2003 75cl capped bottle Poured a cloudy dark amber with a tight tan head. Spicy aroma with notes of orange, berries and candy sugar. Some light hops also detected. This smells like a quality brew. Head settles down, leaves scattered lacing. Mouthfeel is smooth, a medium body that has a crisp finish. This may be the best Belgian winter seasonal I’ve had yet. Flavor is not complex yet very drinkable and enjoyable. Alcohol not detected in flavor or aroma. A malty delight with flavors of sweet malt, candy sugar, citrus and belgian yeast. Thyme comes through in aroma as the warming process continues. This is an excellent winter ale, one to try if you haven’t yet.
|
