McKenzie Abbey 11

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

This was another under-decorated green 75cL bottle (i.e. no label). And I have to say, this was my favorite of the three outstanding McKenzie brews I was introduced to that night!

Thick and quite vinious -- this one has legs alright! Murky and mysterious in appearence..., hints of red amidst the sea of dark, nearly black body. If this was an old-tyme map, some otherwise intrepid explorer would annotate this as "Here Thar Be Demons..."

Unussual and quite complex nose to this brew, too. Slightly sugary, in a burnt-caramel sort of way. Hints of spice, resulting from either the manual addition of sugar and spice and everything nice to the brew, or as an after-affect of using one or more esoteric Belgian yeasts later on.

Wonderful full and enticing mouthfeel, that highlights the wide berth that you need to give this beer and it's flavor profile. One of the closest beers (Belgian, American or otherwise) I've ever run across (so far) that can compare to Westy 12/St. Bernardus Abt 12..., in terms of complexity, if nothing else.

A beer that deserves to be sipped and savored throughout the evening. I'm glad to have had the opprotunity to share this with my brothers-in-arms, and raise a salute for opening my eyes to this quietly awesome brewery!
//TB

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

#398/500... Poured a hazycopper color with no head or lacing on the glass. Aroma of butterscotch, dark cherries, roast and alcohol. Taste of more cherries, and caramel, light roast, some vinous qualities, and finishing with spicy alcohol. Very nice.