Corked & caged bottle with an unusual shape around the neck. Opens with a fearful pop with a button mushroom like cork – I suggest great care opening this one, but to be honest I would rather have it that way than without sufficient carbonation. Nice gun smoke.
Attractive reddish brown hue which seems less muddy than the usual Dubbel appearance which is a bonus. Having said that beer is a dreadfully disappointing head and it fades horribly. No lace, no retention – shame.
Light, alcoholic breadiness in the nose, but it’s pretty muted.
The tastes are a very nice malty, lightly alcohol based fruitiness. I feels quite bready and has a little depth as well. A touch of caramelized raspberries in the back and the finish offers more of the alcohol soaked, marzipan based maltiness – very nice.
Tastes are the strong point here but the head retention is terribly poor.