Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

While I agree with you that the appearance of quads, especially that of Trappistes Rochefort 10, might resemble a robust stout, I cannot agree that these styles of beer are close to each other in terms of flavor.

Whereas a quad usually has a very complex flavor – quite often with notes of ripened fruit, raisins, herbs, and a has general ”wine-like classiness” – stouts are usually pronounced in roastiness, bitterness from the hops, coffee, dark chocolate and licorice. Stouts also lack the typical ”Belgian yeastiness” that is quite ubiquitous in quads. Of course, there are a ton of stout varieties and some might have notes resembling a Belgian quad.

This is my experience anyway.

Well, perhaps my palate is not terribly sophisticated, and - while I think the Belgian quads are smoother than most of the beverages marketed under the "imperial stout" label, I do think they have more in common with each other that either might gave with some of the insipid ales form the British Isles I have had - or, for that matter, than they share with some of the dreadfully underpowered - and underwhelming - porters such as Guinness.

But, each to their own.

Personally, I am a huge fan of the Belgian quad style of drink, and for consistency, and quality, there is little better to be had in winter (and those tedious days of early spring).

 

[0387274]

Well, perhaps my palate is not terribly sophisticated, and - while I think the Belgian quads are smoother than most of the beverages marketed under the "imperial stout" label, I do think they have more in common with each other that either might gave with some of the insipid ales form the British Isles I have had - or, for that matter, than they share with some of the dreadfully underpowered - and underwhelming - porters such as Guinness.

But, each to their own.

Personally, I am a huge fan of the Belgian quad style of drink, and for consistency, and quality, there is little better to be had in winter (and those tedious days of early spring).

The Belgian quad is a wonderful style of beer and is certainly one of my favorites too. They have a nice warmth to them without a significant alcohol taste and are very rich in Christmas herbs and spices, which makes them an ideal drink for those cold and dark winter evenings.

Seeing that you are a big fan of the Rochefort 10, I dearly suggest you to grab a bottle and age it for a few years (if you haven't already).

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The Belgian quad is a wonderful style of beer and is certainly one of my favorites too. They have a nice warmth to them without a significant alcohol taste and are very rich in Christmas herbs and spices, which makes them an ideal drink for those cold and dark winter evenings.

Seeing that you are a big fan of the Rochefort 10, I dearly suggest you to grab a bottle and age it for a few years (if you haven't already).

Ah - what happens when they have been aged for a few years? Even smoother and richer, would be my guess.

What an excellent idea: Actually, that very idea has already been put to me re the excellent Founder's KBS, but it hadn't occurred to me to think of doing it with the Rochefort 10.

In any case, I do agree that they - the Rochefort 10 - while they have more than adequate warmth, that they lack that pure "heat" one can get from a highly alcoholic beverage (and which I don't much care for), and I love the smoothness (nothing remotely harsh there), and perfect balance of flavour these beers achieve.

 

[0387274]

Ah - what happens when they have been aged for a few years? Even smoother and richer, would be my guess.

What an excellent idea: Actually, that very idea has already been put to me re the excellent Founder's KBS, but it hadn't occurred to me to think of doing it with the Rochefort 10.

In any case, I do agree that they - the Rochefort 10 - while they have more than adequate warmth, that they lack that pure "heat" one can get from a highly alcoholic beverage (and which I don't much care for), and I love the smoothness (nothing remotely harsh there), and perfect balance of flavour these beers achieve.

Some flavors become less pronounced and some stand out more, and in my case, for the better. However, it's usually a hit–and–miss.

I've sipped a 3-year-old Rochefort 10 - not aged by me though, as I lack the appropriate space for it in terms of temperature and humidity - and in the nose, the sweet fruit notes were a lot more pronounced. The taste was sweeter, "earthier" and even had hints of leather in it. The mouthfeel so fluffy. It was also quite a bit more boozy.

What I've heard, the success of the aging really depends on a bunch of different variables, f.ex. the space you age it in. And that said, some people still prefer a fresh Rochefort 10 over an aged variety. Either way, it's an interesting experiment to say the least...

Founders is an excellent brewery with a very strong line-up of beers, from the refreshing Centennial IPA to the very rich Porter. I have yet to try their Kentucky Breakfast Stout though.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Some flavors become less pronounced and some stand out more, and in my case, for the better. However, it's usually a hit–and–miss.

I've sipped a 3-year-old Rochefort 10 - not aged by me though, as I lack the appropriate space for it in terms of temperature and humidity - and in the nose, the sweet fruit notes were a lot more pronounced. The taste was sweeter, "earthier" and even had hints of leather in it. The mouthfeel so fluffy. It was also quite a bit more boozy.

What I've heard, the success of the aging really depends on a bunch of different variables, f.ex. the space you age it in. And that said, some people still prefer a fresh Rochefort 10 over an aged variety. Either way, it's an interesting experiment to say the least...

Founders is an excellent brewery with a very strong line-up of beers, from the refreshing Centennial IPA to the very rich Porter. I have yet to try their Kentucky Breakfast Stout though.

Re Founder's,- and I write as someone who likes their porters, their Oatmeal Breakfast Stout is excellent - I think that the KBS is their crowning glory. I did put aside some KBS which had been released in 2015, to drink in 2016, and - perhaps - this year.

However, space, ambient temperature, the actual nature of the space you age it in, will pale when confronted by Sheer Greed. Or Impatience.

While I was advised to put aside half a crate or so of KBS in 2015, with a view to sipping some in 2016, and perhaps more in 2017 (and comparing those 'aged' beers to the KBS actually released in 2016), this also requires a degree of restraint that some may find it difficult to summon - and sustain.

Nevertheless, I still have a few such beers.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just now, this very minute, I have poured myself a "Belgian Tripel"; this is a perfectly splendid beer that goes by the name of "Maredsous" and I have poured it - some of it, at any rate, - into a Belgian St Bernardus chalice.

The beer comes in a deep, dark, golden shade - almost dark amber in colour - with a rich and beautifully balanced flavour.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Last night, I had a glass or two of Pinot Blanc from Alsace.

 

[JamesMike]

Last night, I had a glass or two of Pinot Blanc from Alsace.

What winery did the Pinot Blanc come from?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What winery did the Pinot Blanc come from?

From the Paul Ginglinger winery, or vineyards.

 

[rhett7660]

KBS from Founders was just tapped which means the shipments should be coming out end of March early April!! Hopefully the beer gods are good to me this year!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

KBS from Founders was just tapped which means the shipments should be coming out end of March early April!! Hopefully the beer gods are good to me this year!

Oh, hey, fantastic news. I shall await this with avid anticipation.

For now, I am sipping a beer from Buxton, a "Barrel Aged Berliner Weisse" that goes by the name of "Bourbon Skyline".

 

[JamesMike]

KBS from Founders was just tapped which means the shipments should be coming out end of March early April!! Hopefully the beer gods are good to me this year!

I will have to keep that in mind, thanks.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Another new beer from the excellent Buxton Brewery: This is their "Superluminal Sour India Pale Ale".

 

[JamesMike]

Another new beer from the excellent Buxton Brewery: This is their "Superluminal Sour India Pale Ale".

Let us know your opinion of it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Let us know your opinion of it.

If you like exquisitely balanced and well constructed sour beers, you will like this; it is - as is so much else produced by Buxton - excellent.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A timeless classic: Trappistes Rochefort 10.

 

[JamesMike]

A timeless classic: Trappistes Rochefort 10.

Yes it is.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A perennial classic from Founder's: Their legendary Backwood's Bastard.

 

[JamesMike]

A perennial classic from Founder's: Their legendary Backwood's Bastard.

Enjoy it!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Enjoy it!

I had forgotten that I have sat least half a crate of this beer...........and decided to liberate one of them tonight.

 

[rhett7660]

A perennial classic from Founder's: Their legendary Backwood's Bastard.

This was a surprisingly good beer. I was able to snag a four pack when I first saw it on the shelf. Now I can pretty much pick them up any day of the week. I am so glad to see Founders beer making more head way in my area. Still waiting to get my hands on the most elusive beer for me, their KBS. Outside of the KBS, the other one I really want to try, but I have a feeling I won't get it is, is 3 Floyds Brewing Co. "Dark Lord Imperial Stout"!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

This was a surprisingly good beer. I was able to snag a four pack when I first saw it on the shelf. Now I can pretty much pick them up any day of the week. I am so glad to see Founders beer making more head way in my area. Still waiting to get my hands on the most elusive beer for me, their KBS. Outside of the KBS, the other one I really want to try, but I have a feeling I won't get it is, is 3 Floyds Brewing Co. "Dark Lord Imperial Stout"!

I cannot recommend the KBS highly enough - it is an astonishingly good stout, beautifully balanced, rich, delicious, with a sufficient depth of flavour to mask (but not smother) the quite high alcohol content.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A superb beer - or, rather, stout - from the invariably excellent Buxton Brewery: "Yellow Belly."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My second beer of the night also hails from the Buxton Brewery: This is a Double IPA, one which goes by the name of "Nth Cloud".

 

[0388631]

I'm craving a rich stout but this weather is most off putting. I've made a sort of cold brew tea with a few splashes of Hayman's gin. Lots of ice.

I can't say with certainty when or where I began to enjoy gin tea. I do remember stealing sips here and there as a child. It's definitely a dated practice.