porterhouse (1152), Alna, Maine, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 7, 2008 Cork ejects with a powerful pop. A bit of slow foaming and gushing follows. Body is very dark brown and head varies from one to three fingers, tan and kind of lumpy. Aroma has some Band Aid, at least initially, along with some sweetish dark fruit. Mouthfeel quite soft, smooth and full - nice. Lots of fairly heavy rings and sheets of lacing. Flavor features a good nasal passage-clearing dose of ABV in the fore, followed by a rather vinous taste, maybe burgundy. Some dark ripe fruit in there along with the red wine and then some very dark chocolate in warmer/later samples. Pretty good, not alot of complexity but a nice palate and pretty tasty. 750 ml bottle, best before 7/8/12, from Bootleggers, cellared for 1 yr. after purchase. BeerVirgin72 (778), Pataskala, Ohio, USA
| 3.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 6/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 16/20 | Dec 7, 2008 Had on tap at Red light Red light. Very pretty pour dark amber. Sweet taste of caramel malts up front, some cinnamon and figs on the back end. Not overly sweet, and alcohol well hidden. lemasney (398), Trenton, New Jersey, USA
| 4.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 20/20 | Dec 6, 2008 Style and Glass: Strong Dark Belgian Ale, Trappist
ABV, Volume & Calories: 10 % in 22 fl oz. estimated at400 C
Purchased at: Issac Newton’s, Newtown, PA for $18.00
Aroma: malty, sweet, inviting.
Visuals: typical St. Bernardus label — neither inviting or not, like visiting an old friend, dark pour, thin head, opaque, dark body, red brown body, nice lace.
Taste: amazingly balanced, deep flavors, overlapping influences, peach, banana, cinnamon, bitter hops, high strength.
Palate: high quality, fruit juice texture, amazing, deep finish.
Overall: delicious. An amazing treat. Beautiful, rich, and deep. A repeat when I can afford it. A high level favorite. medium value. high craft. Paired with a brownie and ice cream dessert — matched well in sweetness and contrast. mj (4999), Colorado, USA
| 3.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 15/20 | Dec 6, 2008 750ml bottle. Tawny brown with a big nearly white head. Big crusty and festive doughy Belgian abbey yeast... mildly spicy and peppery plum and peppermint flavor. Really good, could age well I think. More comments to come... f351c4v (404), Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| 3.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 12/20 | Dec 6, 2008 On tap @ La Trappe. Pours a dark brown color with a small tan head. Big, *clean* aroma, dryer sheets and yeast. Medium body gives way to nutty malts, spiced, yeasty finish. Average. robforbes (1085), Bremerton, Washington, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 14/20 | Dec 5, 2008 vintage 2007.
pours a dark brown with a large tan bubbly head.
smell is of caramel, spice, malt, and raisins.
taste is very carbonated, somewhat watery, dark fruits, spice, some caramel, end is tangy on the tongue. Blom (390), Odense, Denmark
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 5/5 | 14/20 | Dec 5, 2008 Dark brown with a dense grey head. Nice christmas aroma of spice, caramel and dark fruits. The body is huge and the flavours are wonderfull sweet and spicy. blutt59 (2098), Dallas, Texas, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 4, 2008 bottle, dark ruby brown color with strong foam head and lacing, nose is strong fruit and cocoa, flavor is a blend of dark fruit, chocolate, spices and wood, finish is nicely carbonated with minimal alcohol presence
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