This beer is sort of homeless in a sense.  The website itself describes the beer as Dutch with a Flemish touch.  Although it is technically from Belgium, it is made in a Dutch Trappist brewery.  Here is the very interesting website for this beer.  This beer is a monster, as far as alcohol is concerned (11.5% ABV).  It is often considered an after-dinner or after-a-special-day beer.  Let’s see if it warrants all this ”special” language.

I found that this beer had little head retention, which is perfectly appropriate for a Barley Wine-style ale.  It was maple in color and maybe even a touch in flavor. 

There were some really fruity and malty notes in this beer.  Candy sugar and wine were evident on the nose.  In addition, there was a pretty pronounced alcohol aroma to the ale. 

A thick mouth-feel was also evident.  Full alcohol flavor was present in the brew, which came through as having a vodka quality.  It had a very nice grainy finish with a hop bitterness that was discernible.  Being a Barley Wine, it was very malty with a strong hop presence.  This beer would cellar well for quite some time.  I think that it would improve greatly with age.  As it stood, when I drank it, it was good but not as “special” as was propagated.