Popped in for a lunchtime brew today and decided to give the Black Beauty a run. Described on the beer menu as a Dubbel this looks, tastes and drinks much more like a Quad, and even has a few RIS notes. I spoke to Crawford and he agreed about the Quad descriptor, but was less sure of my RIS comparison. He LOVES to brew these "style-defying" Belgian beers and this is another example of the fine art he is in the process of perfecting. Pretty much jet black on the pour as far as I could tell with...

Notes on beers brewed by
Whisky Barrel Aged Quinte55ence
Better known as "The Answer", this is the Barrel Aged version of Quinte55ence. Crawford was kind enough to give me a bottle of this (along with the Quinte55ence original and a couple of Cloud 9's). I shared these with the boys at the Brick Store. Pour is identical to the Quinte55ence - no surprise there, and equally unsurprising is the aroma which gives the smoky notes from the barrel. I need to put a disclaimer right up front here, I am just not that interested in Barrel aged beers. They...
Quinte55ence
Thanks go out to Crawford for generously giving me a bottle* of this (plus bottles of The Answer and Cloud 9) in February of this year. Shared this (along with The Answer), at The Brick Store with Dave & Bob amongst others. *Obviously this is still a draught version, but Crawford bottled some of this beer in corked & caged 750s. Pour is a dark brown almost black body with very little sustainable head. I thought it was rather porter like it its appearance. Very nice nose with plenty of...