Brouwerij De Koningshoeven La Trappe Quadrupel Abt/Quadrupel at 10% ABV ($11.39 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750ml, bottle date 6-Aug-2013)
Pours clear deep amber with one finger of off-white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Nose is dark toffee/caramel, raisins and dark fruit, banana, slight spice. (8/10) Taste is moderate sweet and peppery, finishing mild bitter. (9/10) Medium body, moderate sustained carbonation, lingering tart bitter finish with distinct alcohol warming. (5/5)
Excellent quadrupel. The ABV isn’t even close to hidden, but it works well with the dark fruitcake flavours on the nose and tongue. The body is definitely on the light side of medium, I think partly due to the moderate sustained carbonation, and partly due to the sharp edge of the alcohol on the tongue. Not quite as mellow and perfect as the Westvleteren XII, the St. Bernardus Abt 12 or the Rochefort 10, perhaps (nor as interesting as Three Philosophers) but a solid performer regardless. (17/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
