Belgian Dubbel
9%ABV | ?? IBU

Bottle bubbled over upon opening, most of it made it into my glass.
Pours a murky iced tea color. Healthy, long lasting eggshell foam. Falls to a thin coating, which lasts a while.
Aroma is heavily raisiny, with some tart cherry.
Initial taste is surprising… far less sweet than the aroma. Some date sweetness, but almost immediately giving way to a much darker malt… It’s hard to put my finger on it, but there’s a certain peppery spice in the midtones and the beer finishes with a hint of smoke & meat. Bit of a metallic tinge in there too. Did this bottle go bad?
These off flavors decrease somewhat as the beer warms. Yeasty Belgian spice is a bit more apparent, but still not quite right. I’m left longing for the dark fruity sugar that overtakes the nose.
Very light on the mouth, spry and effervescent. Alcohol is entirely hidden (quite a feat at 9%).

In the end, the smoke & aluminum flavors were just too overwhelming, and I ended up not finishing this bottle. Gonna have to call a mis-trial on this one. Expect a report as soon as I find another (fresher) bottle.

4/10