by Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven
Until recently, the La Trappe Trappist Monastery in The Netherlands was the only recognized Trappist Monastery outside of Belgium. They make a range of traditional abbey style ales, with the ultimate beer being the Quadrupel.
It pours quite a clear brown colour, with an off-white head. The aroma is full of banana and vanilla, with caramel and raisin.
The flavour is immediately rich and luxurious. Lots of caramel malt sweetness with fruitiness of raisins, plums and figs. There’s spicing of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg to hint at Christmas pudding.
As the beer progresses there is a hint of liquorice and an earthy minerality to the aftertaste. The alcohol is really well hidden, so watch out as it does pack a punch.