 muzzlehatch (4424), Burlington, Vermont, USA
May 24, 2008
12 ounce bottle from Woodmans in Janesville, WI (May 2008), served at cellar temperature or so from an Isenbeck Pils glass. Murky caramel in complexion with only a tiny bit of frothy off-white foam that dies quickly into a faint ring....strong caramel-raisin nose with a touch of rum, just as the label states; yeast is subdued though there is a hint of "Belgian" character I suppose.....body is quite sweet also, but assertive tart/sour yeast is present throughout, cutting the sugariness and balancing things out quite nicely.....carbonation is fairly strong, the finish is significantly drier than the candyish front, even a little bitter/burnt.....body could be fuller but with little alcohol presence this is a readily quaffable session example of the style, if not terribly authentic.
MrBunn (889), Western, Pennsylvania, USA
Aug 24, 2008 Bottle. Pour is a mahogany brown with lots of light coming through and a half inch or so of foam that dies down as I’m typing. Aromas are earthy, nutty and fruity. Flavor is a nice mix of the above, but there is a cherry theme to it that drowns out other stuff. Also, alcohol peeks through as a little bit of an astringent bite... I’d like to see it hidden (at least flavor-wise) a little better.
CanIHave4Beers (204), Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Jul 29, 2008 This is more like it, Schell waters their beers down for the Iowa market, it’s a kind enough gesture but leaves me under whelmed with a few of their nice seasonal selections. I picked this bottle up while in Illinois.
The aroma is faint but very nice; it has a nutty and lightly fruity character, with hints of cherries and raisin. I always hated the fact that this abbey ale didn’t have a head, but that was the watered down version, this has a nice big fluffy head that goes away a bit but then stays thick on top of the beer. The beer seems to be filtered as it is totally translucent but the color is a beautiful reddish brown color. The beer is delicious lightly nutty and well balanced with sweet and dry flavors. Some predominant flavors are of dried fruit raisins & prunes. The alcohol is very warming and nice; the beer is fantastically drinkable and soft on the tongue. The beer is very nice; it’s sort of like what a Belgian trappist would brew if he was stuck in Germany.... or something.
RSRIZZO (1018), Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Jul 26, 2008 (12oz. Bottle courtesy of Headbanger). Aroma is a roasted malt and alcohol scent. Color is a deep amber with light carbonation and a thin head. Taste is malty and toasted. Starting with a medium body it goes down with a smooth feel. Finish comes in with a malty caramel taste that has a slight toasted flavor and some nice fruity yeast tones. After taste is sweet with the caramel lingering in a bit. This is a very good brew.
IlanMan (571), Winona, Minnesota, USA
Jun 27, 2008 Not a whole lot like the abbey dubbels I have had before. This was a spiced brew witha lot of carbonation followed by hints of dark fruit and sweet malt. Not exceptional but not bad. Will buy the 2008 when it comes out.
hopscotch (4579), Vero Beach, Florida, USA
May 29, 2008 Bottle… Hazy, deep amber ale with a small, fizzy, off-white head. The nose provides caramel, dark fruit and fuzzy fruit esters. Medium-bodied with a syrupy mouthfeel and gentle carbonation. The flavor is mostly sweet with offerings of golden raisins, toffee, caramel and candy sugar. Mild bitterness. Finishes minerally and sweet. Kudos to headbanger for sliding this bottle my way!
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