Brasserie Abbaye Des Rocs Grand Cru

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
State/Country: Belgium
ABV: 9.5%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 9
Dark brown color, murky - lots of sediment, dense light tan head with uber good retention and decent lacing

Smell: 9
Brown sugar, caramel, dark fruit, slight metallic smell

Taste: 9
Up Front: Dark fruit - all kinds. Finish: Sweet malt, chocolate, and more fruit

Mouthfeel: 9
Medium body & carbonation, slightly dry finish

Drinkability: 8.5
Alcohol is well hidden. Very quaffable.

Overall Score: 8.9

Value: 7
Cost/12 oz serving: $4.55

Overall Impression:
This is billed as a Belgian Special Brown Ale. It is a very interesting & complex beer to say the least. While it was tasty, perhaps I was not in the mood for the style, so it did not live up to the hype. Then again, it was ratebeer that gave it a 100 rating, so I should have known better, since that site sucks! Anyway, this beer is worth checking out!

Gulden Draak

Reviewed By: Herr Mike
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
State/Country: Belgium
ABV: 10.5%
Serving Type: On Tap @ Blue Monkey Tavern

Look: 9
Dark mahogany color, med head, awesome lacing

Smell: 9
Yeasty, dried fruit, chocolate, plum, caramel, bourbon

Taste: 9
Up Front: Yeast, coffee, brown sugar, raisins, toffee
Finish: Sweet, slight hoppy, slight alcohol

Mouthfeel: 9
Smooth, thick and creamy

Drinkability: 9.5
OH YEAH! I could quaff one or two….uh… two or three….It’s a Belgian Dammit!

Overall Score: 9.1

Value: 10
Cost/12 oz serving: $6.50 - I gave it a 10 for value because this one was on Don Mirsky!

Overall Impression:
This is a funky, complex beer, just like me, except with more alcohol! If you find this beer…DRINK IT!

Allagash Black

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
State/Country: Maine
ABV: 7.5%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 10
Dark brown, dense frothy tan head with staying power and excellent lacing

Smell: 9
Chocolate, espresso, and subtle cloves

Taste: 9
Up Front: Chocolate, and roasted malts. Finish: Chocolate, spices, and a slight smokiness

Mouthfeel: 9
Medium body, creamy with medium carbonation

Drinkability: 8.5
Very drinkable and interesting beer

Overall Score: 9.1

Value: 7.5
Cost/12 oz serving: $4.00

Overall Impression:
This is billed as a Belgian Stout, and it delivers. It has the body and mouthfeel of a Begian Ale, with the chocolate/roasted malt/coffee flavors of a stout in addition to some subtle flavors associated with Belgians. Yet another winner from Allagash!

The Bruery 2 Turtle Doves

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
State/Country: California
ABV: 12%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 9
Dark brown, frothy tan head that dissipated quickly, with good lacing

Smell: 9.5
Chocolate, caramel, coffee, and a hint of nuttiness

Taste: 9
Up Front: Chocolate and caramel malt
Finish: Spicy and slightly tart

Mouthfeel: 8.5
Medium body, with moderate/high carbonation, and a little cloying

Drinkability: 8.5
Alcohol is noticeable and at 12% abv, it's not a session beer. Split the bottle with a friend or loved one

Overall Score: 8.9

Value: 7.5
Cost/12 oz serving: $4.55

Overall Impression:
This is a very interesting and complex Holiday beer. It's like a cross between a Belgian Dark Ale and an Imperial Stout. I look forward to having another next holiday season.

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
State/Country: Canada
ABV: 9%
Serving Type: 12 oz Bottle

Look: 10
Dark brown almost black, cloudy with a thick head and great lacing

Smell: 10
Spicy, citrus, dark fruit, and a bit of roasted, chocolately goodness

Taste: 10
Up Front: Spicy, Citrus, and Dark Fruit
Finish: Dark fruit, booze, and faint chocolate - It tastes like it smellz

Mouthfeel: 9
Medium body, with moderate/high carbonation, yet very smooth

Drinkability: 10
This is great beer to drink slowly and savor every sip!!!

Overall Score: 9.8

Value: 9.5
Cost/12 oz serving: $2.68

Overall Impression:
This is truly Nectar of the Godz, and my favorite ale from Unibroue. The slightly higher carbonation is the only thing preventing it from being a perfect 10