De Dolle Oerbier

I have a large poster right above my computer. Black background, with approximately 250 different Belgian beer labels, somewhat grouped by brewery. At the very top, in the upper left-hand corner, are the beers from De Dolle. In fact, Oerbier is in the extreme upper-left corner. These particular beers always taunted me, whenever I scanned this poster for beers that I've had, and/or wish I can have. Finally, push came to shove when I found three different De Dolle beers on a recent raid to Hi-Times in Costa Mesa. Not cheap, but least I won't have to go through life wondering "what's up with the funky cartoonish labels on these mystery beers?".

After my first sip or two of this particular beer, perhaps the more pertinent question would be "what's up with all that alcohol?". But I'll get to that in second.

Poured this very carefully into my Orval glass, since other 33cL bottles I've gotten on that same trip had way too much unavoidable yeast floating around. A sturdy looking dark amber/brown body, with a relatively simplistic head of foam, that stuck around `til the very end.

Almost whiskey-like in the nose, definate alcoholic notes through and through. Is this a beer, or a badly made Scotch? Maybe some fruit highlights in the aroma, but not nearly enough to make a difference one way or the other in my book.

Flavor-wise, much of the same, seemingly. Alcohol in the front, middle, and the finish, allowing very little room for the rest of the beer to show it's hand -- namely, the some-what complex fruit-like maltiness.

But when I feel a distinct burning as it goes down, it's hard to be as objective as I would like. Not detestable, but seems hell bent for leather to make sure that you know that this is 7.5%ABV, and not an iota lighter.

I hate to say that this is one-dimensional -- it's not, really. But it surely isn't in the same league as the many other Belgian Strong Ales I've had -- especially when it comes the mouthfeel and overall drinkability. Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru, this aint.

I'm hoping that the other two De Dolle beers sitting my `fridge fair better than this.
//TB