Koningshoeven Quadrupel Vintage 2004

This wonderful Dutch Trappist Ale was bottled in 2004 and opened in 2009.

Being aged over five years, this Koningshoeven Quadrupel treats the nose to an aroma of apples and cinnamon with subtle hints of dark red cherrys. As you can see above the ale has a dark copper apperance with a thick frothy head.

The innitial flavor is malty, beginning with apple and and shortly fading to a not tart but not sweet raspberry. The mouthfeel is warming as the flavor moves to the back of the mouth. The raspberry turns to a mild current bitter, very similar to the current bitters found in a younger Orval. As the current subsides, the flavor returns back to apples, although not as malty as the innital component.

13th Century Grut Bier

Dr. Fritz Briem's 13th Century Grut Bier

Before the German Purity Law "Reinheitsgebot" of 1516, it was a common practice to use any kind of different spices, herbs, fruits and other plants to provide balance to beer. Hops was not yet well known at this time.

Grut Bier has roots in many cultures and each culture had it's own special ingredients. This interpretation of a traditional Grut Bier is spiced with bay leaves, ginger, rosemarie, and enzian. (from label)

13th Century Grut Bier has an extremely smooth mouthfeel, warming the palette with hints of rosemarie, while giving a mild fresh rush of lemon to the tongue and cheek. The flavor of ginger is tasted in the back of the mouth shortly after, balancing the flavors. The bier finishes warm with hints of rosemarie, sage and anise.

For those of you who have tasted grut bier before this will be one of the better. If you have not, just remember what you are drinking; if you have an experienced palette you will take a liking to this great bier. Serve cold, preferable in the spring time.

Guiness Extra Stout 4yrs

This Guinness Extra Stout was bottled in 2005. It was cellared in a controlled refrigerated environment at 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The beer above was recently poured in 2009.

To the nose the aged Guinness Extra Stout is similar to an aged porter with hints of both dark and white chocolate.

You would be surprised to find that the initial tastes of well cellared Guinness Extra Stout will boast the sharp flavors of blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, fig and date. The fruit will then mellow out and be chased by a rush of bitter malt. Finally the beer finishes with hints of the same fruits just as the dark malt espresso flavor subsides.

The beer pours a beautiful frothy head.

Westmalle 2001

This Westmalle Dubbel was just over eight years old when it was poured.

To the nose the ale hints vanilla, honey, raisins and dried sweet tobacco leaf. The taste begins with notes of blackberry, apple, and a variety of other fruits and follows with a smooth amber and dark malt flavor with hints of newly sanded oak. The bitterness and sharpness of this dubbel that you taste in its younger age has been mellowed by the aging process; leaving the true flavors of this Trappist ale to be enjoyed as it should be.