Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:21 am
750 ml. big ’ole brown Belgian-style, corked and caged bottle. If there is or was a freshness date, I did not notice it. Beautiful gold printing over a brown glass bottle makes for a great design. I might have to add this bottle to my very limited collection. Poured out a deep amber/ medium caramel candy color, with a limited, although generous eggshell colored head. Deserves to be served in an appropriate glassware, so I served it in my Chimay chalice. Outrageous aromas of malt, hops, and yeast. Brown sugar aromas come into view as this beer warms up slightly, as does Belgian candi sugars, and I believe I detect a note of Turbinado sugar as well. The hops aromas are somewhat subdued, but the flavors are evident in the tasting. The aromas and flavors mingle on the tongue, providing a flavor-fest in the mouth. Tastes are what you’d expect from a huge Belgian beer. Malts, some slightly bitter hops, yeast, and sugars abound in the flavors of this beer. Mouthfeel is rich, thick, and full. More of a meal than a beer, per se. Slightly sweet on the tongue, but just barely bordering on cloying. I believe it needs about 5 more years of aging to come into it’s peak. Tastes are full of flavors which become hard to describe, because of the complexity of the beer itself. This beer is deceptively drinkable, because the alcohol is well hidden at this point. It may become more evident as it ages, but only time will tell. Finishes sweet, full bodied, and very rich. I’m glad I bought 2 of these delicious monsters, as I will be able to age one for several years and I will compare notes with this tasting at that point in time. You owe it to yourself, if no one else, to seek out this beer at any and all costs. A terrific Belgian-style beer from the good old USA. Whould’ve thought it? I certainly didn’t.
