Additional notes 12/18/22 (pictured):

Still gushing 13 years later. A cleaner beer in terms of floaties than previously noted, and to me, now this drinks more like a Belgian version of an imperial brown ale rather than the original designation of BDSA and/or a Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy. Now, I suppose that you could say well, that’s what a BDSA/Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy is, but this feels extra malty and very smooth that somehow makes it an amalgamation of all of the styles. Light acidity, very little evidence of the 8.7%, but it finishes with a nice, well-defined, sharp bitter note.

Again, despite my notes below from 2009 this doesn’t now feel especially fruity or BDSA (as it was originally categorized as on beeradvocate.com), more a big malt bomb. I still like it as I have in the past, but the Belgian notes are more muted than I’ve recorded prior.

Original notes 01/11/09:

750 mL bottle from Arbor Place Beverage, Douglasville, GA, USA from late 2008.

Capped bottle is a BIG gusher – be warned. Poured into the Ommegang chalice the beer forms a mid-brown Dubbel color and a small fine head with a creamy consistency. Plenty of yeast floaties.

Nose is sherry alcohol based.

This beer is pretty much Strong Belgian Dark all the way through. Large fruit raisin and plum notes with the alcohol poking its head through to give a nice warmth. Figs and more rich, dark, over-ripe fruits.

Lovely fine bubbles give a superb mouthfeel.

Tasty and nice to get back to a really good example of the style.