Russian River Brewing - Santa Rosa, California USA
Belgian Dark Ale (ABV 9.5%)

[Suggested Glassware: Tulip Glass]


Rating: 3.95/5.0

Aroma: 8/10
Appearance: 4/5
Taste: 8/10
Palate: 3.5/5
Overall: 16/20

The pour was a murky dark brown with some red highlights around the edges and an average (1-2 finger) light brown foamy head that reduced to a thin cap with simply awesome thick foamy sticky lacing.

The aroma was a tad sweet of a dark bread malt and a earthy Belgian yeast with notes of chocolate, caramel, dark fruit (raisons and prunes) and a mild alcohol tinge.

The taste was lightly sweet and extremely malty with a note of caramel and a light fruity ester early on, becoming quite a bit yeastier with a large dark fruit presence and a strong chocolaty alcohol ending. The flavor stuck around for an average time following the swallow, with a decent yeasty, chocolate taste and a mild alcohol warming sensation left behind.

Mouthfeel was medium in body with a dry, creamy texture and a strong lively carbonation.

Overall this was an exquisite tasting brew with a creamy chocolaty, fruity flavor and one hek of a kick. I just love everything this brewer puts out and can't wait till I can sample something else from them...

Sampled: 10/20/2012
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