In the past few weeks I’ve been focusing my time on specific styles of beer. We took a look at smoked beers, then hoppy beers, and finally raspberry beers. So this week I thought I’d take a break and go in a slightly different direction – which is to focus solely on one brewery. This week it will be De Dolle Brouwers out of Esen, Belgium (Flanders region). The main reason I’ve chosen to focus on them first is that experience has taught me everything they do is very true to form for Belgian style of brewing. So first up is their Dulle Teve 10º (Mad Bitch). It’s a tripel that doesn’t necessarily do anything to push the envelope or set itself apart from the rest of the pack, but rather it strives to represent the style in a very timeless way. Its pour is very effervescent with miles and miles of soft white head and the aroma is of Belgian yeast and spring flowers. The taste is not mind-blowing, but its subtleties are. With only a slight bit of alcohol burn and a very nice mouthfeel, this is a truly great beer that will situate itself nicely with the Tripel Karmaliets of the world. And with the number of breweries out there pushing the envelope (some too far), I’m always glad to find a brewery that simply does their best to make something I’ll always enjoy every time I go back. Up next: Oerbier.
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Menahan Street Band “Make the Road by Walking”
Brewery: De Dolle
Beer: Dulle Teve 10º
Style: Tripel
Location: Esen, Belgium
ABV: 10%
Rating: 92/100
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Posted by Leo Daly on May 10, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Hey Mark,
Looking forward to the Extra Export Stout review. I had a bottle taken home to have a tasting with some friends. We did about twelve or thirteen in one tasting (between the three of us) and, of course, as we got through them they all started to magically score higher and higher. All except for the De Dolle Extra Export Stout, which tasted intensely sour and unpleasant. Now I’ve heard about the uniqueness of their stout on many reviews, but can’t accept that the uniqueness is the taste I experienced. More likely I got a skunked bottle. Great pity, as their Ratebeer rating suggests a quality stout. I’m interested to see what you think, and to then see if I want to try the beer again.
Again, good job with the site.
Regards,
Leo
Posted by thehopry on May 10, 2010 at 8:09 PM
Thank you, Leo. Appreciate the kind words. As for the Extra Export Stout, I won’t give too much away until Friday. I will say mine was not sour in any way, but it is a bit more unique than I thought it would be.
Posted by beaverc32 on May 10, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Interesting tidbit about the naming of it as “mad bitch”. Are you absolutely sure the reason they don’t label it that way is due to laws? I only ask because of Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch
Regardless, nice review. Never heard of this brewery but I will pick some of their stuff out next time I am at the local shop.
Posted by thehopry on May 10, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Everything that I’ve read talks about American label standards being the issue behind this, but you do bring up a good point with Raging Bitch. Who knows why laws are the way they are anymore?
Posted by Jon on May 10, 2010 at 9:28 PM
From what I understand on the Raging Bitch it has been the depiction of a menstruating dog on a naked woman that promotes the ban, not the word “bitch”.