Updated Review 10/10

Bottle Best Before: 10-15-2014

Dot matrix on neck: A14102232Q

Same magnificent flavor profile as usual with huge, rich fruits and a great alcohol kick. Unbeatable value at $8.99.

Updated Review 01/10

New Years Day 2010. Bottle is marked as Best Before 02/26/12. 750 mL corked & caged has a dot matrixed code on the neck of B28071559Q. Really hard job getting the cork out of this one.

Pour is an amazing looking black body with seriously SCARLET red highlights. These are NOT brownish/red highlights like many brews, these are truly bright, bright red in their color and really stunning. The head produce that lovely, creamy, spotty head and thick lace that one associates with the style. Very classy, very creamy.

The nose has plenty of the yeasty, dark fruits that one would associate with the style, and to be honest, although the beer is not what I would call “hot”, the alcohol is still very prominent.

Drinks beautifully and this is a special beer.

Scores adjusted accordingly from;

4.5, 4.0, 5.0, 5.0, 5.0, to;

5.0, 4.0, 5.0, 5.0, 5.0

Original Review 02/06

2004 version, best before 08-08-2007.

Plum color is a great way to describe this, and I am borrowing that adjective from other reviews here. Deep and rocky head with nice lacing.
Delicious deep fruits, distinct Belgian yeasts and layers and layers of flowing flavors. Sugar, alcohol and yeast flavors all compete with one another but as with all quality brews they combine to produce a cascade of experiences, all dovetailing beautifully.

Drinkability is off the charts, so much so that I re-added to my Wants list.