Hot on the heels of featuring our first beer from Brouwerij De Meester we have a second big beer from them. The feedback on the De Meester Dark Master imperial stout was overwhelmingly positive, so let’s see how we go with this quad.
A quadrupel is a much more traditional style for a Belgian brewery than an imperial stout, though I think this beer blurs the line between the two styles a little.
It pours with a dark brown body that gives off a strong aroma of caramel malts, dried fruits and spice. There is quite a lot in the aroma and I’m hoping that all of it and more carries through into the flavour.
There is a rich malt backbone to enjoy with flavours of caramel and chocolate, with a load of raisins and fig as well. As the beer warms, the less-obvious notes present. There is a good level of spicing with licorice, coriander and an earthy hint of woodiness. I also get some stronger roasted malt bite giving that hint of imperial stout.
There is a rustic, slightly rough-around-the-edges feel to this beer, but there’s a lot to enjoy in this beer that offers more flavours with each sip. Not a classic Belgian quadrupel but an interesting beer that I very much enjoyed.