Beer of the Weekend #317: Tilburg's Dutch Brown Ale
Today’s brown bottle lunch, and candidate for my February LV recommendation (though I doubt it will be my final choice), is Tilburg’s Dutch Brown Ale, brewed by Brouwerij de Koningshoeven B.V. of Berkel-Enschot, The Netherlands.
It is brewed by the same people who brew La Trappe label beers.
Serving type: 330 ml bottle. There are what appear to be batch codes printed on the back label, but no discernable freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color is deep, deep brown (almost black); light passes through easily, turning the beer a ruby red. Two fingers of tan-tinted head dissipated quickly to leave a spotted, bubbly lacing and a ring around the edge.
Smell: Very malty. Both sweet and toasted caramel, chocolate, toffee, black raspberry, a little hazelnut, and maybe fig and plum.
Taste: The flavor is a disappointment compared to the smell. The mouthfeel is light and flavors of caramel, toffee, and brown sugar dominate. The nuttiness from the smell also plays a bigger role, and the dark fruit peeks its head out after the beer has continued warming.
Drinkability: Though it is not spectacular, it is a good beer.
Fun facts about TDBA:
-Style: BA classifies it as “Belgian Dark Ale.”
-Price: $2.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: The back label suggests to “Store and serve cool.” BA recommends 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA recommends earthy cheeses (Camembert, Fontina) and aperitifs.
-All your questions about the strange character on the label (which is swallowing a human and, it looks like, wearing a caldron on its head) can be answered here.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
It is brewed by the same people who brew La Trappe label beers.
Serving type: 330 ml bottle. There are what appear to be batch codes printed on the back label, but no discernable freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color is deep, deep brown (almost black); light passes through easily, turning the beer a ruby red. Two fingers of tan-tinted head dissipated quickly to leave a spotted, bubbly lacing and a ring around the edge.
Smell: Very malty. Both sweet and toasted caramel, chocolate, toffee, black raspberry, a little hazelnut, and maybe fig and plum.
Taste: The flavor is a disappointment compared to the smell. The mouthfeel is light and flavors of caramel, toffee, and brown sugar dominate. The nuttiness from the smell also plays a bigger role, and the dark fruit peeks its head out after the beer has continued warming.
Drinkability: Though it is not spectacular, it is a good beer.
Fun facts about TDBA:
-Style: BA classifies it as “Belgian Dark Ale.”
-Price: $2.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: The back label suggests to “Store and serve cool.” BA recommends 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA recommends earthy cheeses (Camembert, Fontina) and aperitifs.
-All your questions about the strange character on the label (which is swallowing a human and, it looks like, wearing a caldron on its head) can be answered here.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
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