Hi Hivers, time for another #BeerSaturday. Although I prefer blond beers and tripels, this time I tasted a dark beer, a quadruple.
A powerful specimen, with an alcohol content of 11%, so I had to be careful! And the name immediately reveals the alcohol content: "Straffe Hendrik", which means "Strong Hendrik".
I can't give a better commercial description than the brewery De Halve Maan itself does. So I don't want to withhold this from you...
"COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel, launched in 2010, is an intense beer, dark in colour and full in taste.
The aroma is elegant, spicy and slightly roasted.
The sophisticated blend of special kinds of malt give the beer a complex character, combining a delicate dryness with hints of coriander, dark fruits, anise and roasted chestnuts. The palate finishes in a syrupy taste.
The refermentation in the bottle creates a living beer that will evolve over the years.
Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel finds an excellent partner in chocolate when it comes to foodpairing.
It is brewed by the last active brewery in the historical city of Bruges. The town archives first mention the brewery in 1546. Since 1856, the famous brewing family Maes-Vanneste has owned the brewery."
source
In the color I notice a dark mahogany color, with bright red flashes when I hold the glass up to the light. I can't see the carbonation because the color is too dark. An abundant brown head, creamy in appearance, short lasting, with good retention.
In the nose caramel, chocolate, some roasted malt, vanilla, licorice are perceived.
A taste in which caramel, vanilla and licorice predominate and appear at the same time, it is sweet but the carbonation balances the taste and reveals a bitterness that extends to the end but is not unpleasant.
With a smooth liqueur finish, the alcohol content is very well hidden.
The beer is good to drink, but I would rather taste it by the fireplace on a cold winter evening.
Have a nice weekend everyone!!