A distinctive, stubby, dark brown bottle with a rather unadorned label which reads "Duvel", something about the year 1871, a little red dot with the ABV (8.5%) superimposed on it, and two notes about being bottle conditioned, and "pour unhurriedly". On the back is a 3-step instruction on how to pour, as well as the standard government boilerplate warning about beer causing birth defects in impaired ability truck drivers, or something like that.
Pours a brilliant, clear yellow, like a cheap lager. But even poured slowly, which I thought I was doing, a massive, thick, meringue head formed and nearly overflowed the glass, despite the fact that the bottle was only half empty. Took 10 minutes just to get all the beer in the glass.
The nose is a tart, flowery, spicy aroma, with a yeasty undertone. There is so much going on here it's hard to describe. Some fruit coming through, though what I cannot say with any accuracy.
Mouthfeel is crisp, light, and very carbonated.
Taste is, well...wow. What was just described as the aroma meets the palate, and then start working together in a symphony of flavors and aroma. A sharp, apple-like flavor comes in and is over taken by a yeasty layer, only to be replaced by a peppery spice that is sour at the same time. Extremely complex and difficult to describe.
There are still chunks, literally, of foam sitting on the surface of beer, despite the glass nearly being empty, and the entire glass is laced over from top to bottom.
This has to be the most complex beer I've ever had. Would not recommend it with food, as it really needs to be savored all on its own. Some will tell you that the 8.5% ABV will sneak up on you, but they must be lightweights; I feel fine.
Expensive? Absolutely. But do I recommend this? In the words of Napoleon Dynamite; "Heck yes!"
Labels: beer reviews
Mak, enjoyed the brew lesson the other night. Looking forward to my doppelbock in a couple of more weeks. As G.K. Chesterton once said , "The best way for us to show gratitude to God for Burgandy and Beer is by not drinking too much of either." Redeeming beer drinking may seem impossible to most folks and downright sinful to many Christians yet you and others are doing just that. Keep up the good work and look forward to hoisting a dopplebock with you soon. "Whether we eat, whether we drink..."
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June 08, 2005 10:43 AM