Updated notes 12/03/22 (pictured):

Oerbier continues to impress and give a “big” BSDA. Plenty of fruit and depth, and the alcohol seems bigger and more present than it has has previously. I always think of Oerbier as an outlier in the style, and a beer with its own unique character with that odd, tart note that persists. The acidity that I first noted (below) 15 years ago is more pronounced for me these days as my palate has changed and evolved. Some people love that, and although I really enjoy it, but I usually prefer more typical BDSA.

I still drink it almost every time I see it, but that’s more a function of its relative rarity for me rather than my overt love for the beer.

Original notes 03/18/07:

On-tap, Brick Store, Decatur, GA, USA. Thanks to Dave for the hospitality as usual, he generally gets his hands on one of the few kegs that make it to the US and he was kind enough to persoanlly deliver this to me downstairs from the Belgian Bar. As ever, served in the correct, thin stemmed glassware, it has some immediate fine condensation on the outside of the glass.

A dirty brown, Dubbel like pour with some great head and lacing and quite a bit of floaty yeast sediment. All the components of a quality Belgian are there with the aroma and tastes having the standard dark fruits and spicy depth. All the attributes are enhanced as it gently warms. A beer that definitely benefits significantly from the temperature increase. Alcohol is evident, but still controlled. Big candied fruits in the finish with less than subtle sweetness. The finish gave me a little warming alcohol as well as some surprising acidity.

On-tap this beer gets higher marks for me than in the bottle, and if only the appearance were a little darker and less murky it would be up there amongst my very highest scoring Belgians. Nevertheless, still a favorite.