La Trappe Quadrupel Review #65

La Trappe Quadrupel
Style: Abt/Quadruple
ABV: 10%
Part Of Their Tappist Beer Line
11.2oz Bottle Poured Into A La Trappe Chalice

The strongest of the special beers. Its flavor is full, mild and pleasantly bitter. Quadrupel is presently available in the autumn, is bottled by the year and is perfect company for those long winter evenings.

De Koningshoeven Brewery (Brouwerij de Koningshoeven)
Dutch Tappist Brewery
Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands
Monk Operated
1884

Appearance:
Scarlet Mahogany Color- A Bit Light For The Style
Beige Colored Swirling Head
Worthwhile Head Retention
Misty Lace Around The Glass
Bleary Clarity With Live Yeast
Biting Carbonation

Aroma:
Golden Syrup
Rum
Cinnamon Sticks
Dates
Red Apples
Bubblegum
Raisins
Prunes
Strawberry
Cotton Candy


Mouth feel:
Has Similarities To A Weizenbock
Full Bodied- Powerful Bodied Beer
A Nice Sipper, Don't Rush Enjoy
Dangerously Sessionable- The ABV Will Play Peek A Boo With You
Fruit Melange Mouth Feel
Sweet Balance Not Overpowering Thought
Cakey And Bready Finish
Lubric And Moussy Texture
Aftertaste Linger Of Prunes That Were Dipped In Brandy
Moist And Tangy Feel
"Meditation" Beer
Solvently ABV Quality That Overwhelms Some Of The Flavors

  Flavor is well balanced, but a little alcoholic. Flavors of buttery diacetyl mend well with the apple flavor to make a caramel apple that is sweet up front. Some floral plum flavors as well. Bready malt, and did I mention alcohol. It becomes more fruity/estery as it warms, but too many of these will make for a head banger of a morning. Light spicy yeasty finish with plums. Semi sweet aftertaste, but just enough not to be cloying. 
A divine take on the quadruple style of Belgium. Is it a style? Some argue no, some argue yes. The fact that Belgian brewers still designate some of their darkly rich decadent brews as quadruple is enough for me. Sometimes what’s in a name is just a name, but as for what’s in the bottle…   

4 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer