330 mL bottle as part of a recent trade – thanks Chad.
Beer pours as expected with a dark brown body, very little head and no lace. The color is a bit of a dirty brown dubbel which, as usual I don’t find especially attractive. Not surprising, just not especially attractive.
Alcohol hits the nose with plenty of brown sugar notes as well.
The alcohol does not manifest in the taste quite as strongly as the nose would suggest. Yes, it’s there, but it’s not hot rather it’s laid back with a gentle warming sensation and a light sherry, Madeira note. Classicly formed for the style. The alcohol also seems lower than the ABV would suggest. Only slightly warming on the way down without the burn.
Of course, as suspected the beer increases complexity, depth and enjoyment as it warms. It moves into the digestif category.
To be honest, the mouthfeel is slightly prickly, especially for the style and even after it warms a little. It has a bit too much presnt for my liking but it’s not a deal breaker.
All in all, with the possible exception of the mouthfeel and the carbonation, the beer fits nicely into the style and does a pretty nice job.