Beer Reviews by CYRENAICA

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# Beer Origin Style Score Date
1 St. Bernardus Abt 12 Belgium Abbey Quadrupel 5.0

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

July 11, 2007<br> Bar Volo (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)<br> 330ml bottle <br> 10.5% ABV <br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $11.80<br> I was very nervous about trying this....high alcohol content, dark brown, yada yada yaada. Well, try it I did. It poured a dark brown into the glass with a small head that lasted throughout the entire beer. The aroma was thick with bread and hops, and some fruit. It was silky smooth on the tongue with a full-bodied feel. The taste.........unlike any beer I've tasted before. There was bread, and malt...and hops. The alcohol was not noticeable on the tongue.....but I felt it going down....and this is one damn fine beer!

Nov 11, 2024
03:12:02 PM
2 Abbaye des Rocs Brune Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 5.0

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

July 16, 2007<br> Smokeless Joe’s (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 125 John Street)<br> 330ml bottle<br> 9.00% ABV <br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $11.80<br> I loved the label.........I'm not a religious person, but the label was beautiful. Anyway, the beer poured a dark brown into the glass with a half inch head that lasted throughout the experience. The aroma was very yeasty with some hints of pears. It was silky smoth and full-bodied on the tongue with hints of carbonation. The flavour was outstanding...malty, yeasty, with a tinge of sweetness. Just a smidgen below the St. Bernardus Abt 12.........but not much.

Nov 11, 2024
03:57:53 PM
3 McAuslan St. Ambroise Noire à L'Avoine / McAuslan St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout Canada Oatmeal Stout 5.0

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

July 27, 2007 <br> The Beerbistro (Toronto, Ontario, Canada - 18 King Street East) <br> 500ml draught <br> 5.0% ABV <br> Kegged On: Unknown<br> $6.50<br> Wow! Impressive. It came to me in a glass (on draught) and appeared to be chocolate milk with a thick head. The beer was dark brown, with a medium brown head that lasted throughout the beer. The aroma was a combination of malt, chocolate, and fruits. The mouthfeel was full bodied, and not as thick as I was expecting. Nor was there a whole lot of carbonation. The flavour was full of malt, chocolate, and plums. Overall, this was a truly great experience, and completely surprised me that a stout could provide this.

Nov 11, 2024
09:32:37 PM
4 St. Bernardus Tripel Belgium Abbey Tripel 4.9

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

August 10, 2007<br> Esplanade Bier Markt (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 58 The Esplanade)<br> 330ml bottle <br> 8.00% ABV<br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $9.25<br> The beer was a cloudy brown in colour with a short lasting off-white head. The aroma was very yeasty with some spicy tinges in the background. The mouthfeel was medium bodied with a fair amount of carbonation while the flavour was full of yeast and wet bread. Another fine product from St. Bernardus!

Nov 11, 2024
10:11:55 PM
5 Westmalle Tripel Belgium Abbey Tripel 4.9

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

August 21, 2007<br> The Beerbistro (Toronto, Ontario, Canada - 18 King Street East) <br> 330ml bottle<br> 9.50% ABV <br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $10.90<br> The beer poured a murky gold colour into a chalice glass with a thin white head that dissipated quickly. The aroma was very yeasty, with some malt and cloves. The mouthfeel was medium bodied, and slightly champagne in nature. The flavour was that of yeast, malt, and cloves with a dry finish.

Nov 11, 2024
11:54:44 PM
6 Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva Oak Aged Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 4.9

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

PNP No. 4<br> 2005 Vintage<br> September 12, 2008<br> Smokeless Joe’s (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 125 John Street)<br> 330ml bottle<br> 10.00% ABV<br> Bottled On: Unknown <br> Best Before: November 30, 2012 <br> $19.95<br> The beer poured a dark brown colour, with a thin light brown head which lasted throughout. The aroma was caramel malt, burnt sugar, some peppery spice, and anise. The mouthfeel was medium bodied, medium carbonated, and had a sharpness on the side of the tongue. The flavour was very sweet with hints of raw maple sugar, dark caramel malts, and some apples and pears. An excellent beer despite when the sweetness is considered.

Mar 29, 2025
11:56:10 PM
7 Rochefort Trappistes 10 Belgium Abbey Quadrupel 4.8

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

July 12, 2007<br> The Beerbistro (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)<br> 330ml bottle<br> 11.30% ABV <br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $16.50<br> Unfortunately I can't rate it as high as the St. Bernardus Abt 12 I had last night. Maybe had I tried them in the reverse order things may have been different. Anyway, this poured a dark reddish-brown with a small head (the first contrast with SS). The head disappeared rather quickly. The aroma was very similar with robust bread and malt tones as well as plums. It felt great on the tongue with a full-bodied feel. As for the taste, I'm not sure where it failed when compared to the SB, but it just failed to measure up. Possibly the higher alcohol content which I noticed more in this brew.

Nov 11, 2024
03:28:08 PM
8 Chimay Première (Red) Belgium Abbey Dubbel 4.8

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

February 21, 2008<br> LCBO Outlet #630 (Milton, Ontario, Canada – Main / Thompson) <br> 750ml bottle <br> 7.00% ABV<br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $6.30<br> The beer poured a translucent (when held to the light) reddish brown colour with a large, long lasting, rocky head. The aroma was malty and yeasty with some hints of dark fruit. The mouthfeel was full-bodied with mild carbonation. The flavour was sweet malt, with some yeast, and a small amount of bitterness. A great beer.

Mar 8, 2025
10:26:43 AM
9 Dogfish Head World Wide Stout United States Imperial Stout 4.8

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

January 15, 2009<br> Beerbistro, The (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 18 King Street East)<br> 12oz bottle<br> 15.20% ABV (as marked on bottle)<br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $10.60<br> The beer poured a shimmering blackish-brown with a brown head, about 0.5" thick. The aroma was dark roasted malts, figs. molasses, caramel, and chocolate. The mouthfeel was full-bodied, warm, and medium carbonation. The flavour was rich, malty, lots of dark fruit and cocoa. A nice warming beer.

Apr 5, 2025
11:08:20 PM
10 Westvleteren Abt 12 Belgium Abbey Quadrupel 4.8

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

June 25, 2009 <br> Bar Volo (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 587 Yonge Street)<br> 330ml bottle <br> 10.2% ABV <br> Bottled On: Unknown $41.04 <br> Several Toronto beer bars have banded together to get several cases and sell it - and I grabbed the chance. The beer poured an opaque dark brown with an off white head...not near as dark as the St. Bernardus or Rochefort quads. The aroma knocked my socks off....fresh figs and plums, with warm yeast and sweet malt. More than satisfying. The mouthfeel was full-bodied, with mild carbonation - yet a bit thinner than other quads. The flavour again was quite complex and full of flavours when compared to St. Bernardus, and didn't have the alcohol taste and feel I get with the Rochefort. The bitter aftertaste was even pleasant after the sweet malt and fruit tones. On aroma and taste alone, this is the best beer I have ever had. I'm knocking off points for appearance and mouthfeel as the beer was 'lighter' than I was expecting.

Apr 7, 2025
12:01:32 AM
11 Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock Germany Doppelbock 4.8

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

330ml bottle <br> 6.9% ABV (as marked on bottle) <br> Queen’s Quay LCBO Outlet (Toronto, Ontario) <br> October 7, 2011 <br> $3.60<br> The beer poured a translucent dark brown with a thin tan coloured head. The aroma was roasted malt, caramel, dark fruit, and yeast. The mouthfeel was creamy, full bodied with good carbonation. The flavour was dark fruits, molasses, roasted malt, and more yeasty notes. An excellent beer.

Oct 8, 2011
12:00:00 PM
12 Nørrebro Bryghus La Granja Stout Denmark Chocolate Stout 4.7

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

600ml bottle <br> 7.5% ABV <br> I tried this beer on March 18, 2011 at "Smokeless Joe's" in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. One of the ingredients is 'Canadian' maple syrup. Not just any maple syrup, but 'Canadian' maple syrup. The beer poured a solid black colour with a thin tan coloured head. The aroma was roasted malt, coffee, vanilla, milk chocolate, and some spice. The mouthfeel was full bodied with medium carbonation. The flavour was sweet, choclatey, with hints of coffee and vanilla. A very well done stout.

Mar 18, 2011
12:00:00 PM
13 McAuslan St. Ambroise Stout Impériale Russe / McAuslan St. Ambroise Russian Imperial Stout Canada Imperial Stout 4.7

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

341ml bottle (in canister) <br> 9.2% ABV (as written on canister) <br> 2011 Vintage <br> Milton LCBO Outlet #1 (Milton, Ontario, Canada) <br> December 13, 2011 <br> I tried this beer on December 13, 2011 after purchasing from one of my local LCBO outlets. The beer poured a pitch black colour with a 1" dark brown head that stuck around. The aroma was roasted malt, vanilla, coffee and molasses. The mouthfeel was creamy and full-bodied with good carbonation. Flavour was coffee, molasses and a hint of smoke. Well worth it.

Dec 13, 2011
12:00:00 PM
14 St. Bernardus Prior 8 Belgium Abbey Dubbel 4.7

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

330ml bottle <br> 8.0% ABV <br> I tried this beer on December 16, 2011 at "Bar Volo" in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The beer pours a medium reddish brown with a thin tan coloured cap. The aroma consists of yeast, dark sugars, malt, and plums. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with medium carbonation. The flavour is sweet malt, fruit, sugar, grains, butterscotch, and yeast. Nothing like a good Belgian yeast.

Dec 16, 2011
12:00:00 PM
15 Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 4.7

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

July 27, 2007 <br> The Beerbistro (Toronto, Ontario, Canada - 18 King Street East) <br> 330ml bottle <br> 9.0% ABV <br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $11.40<br> The beer poured a deep dark brown into the Chimay glass with a generous off-white head that didn't last near as long as some other Trappists I've tried. The aroma is full of malt and yeast, with a tinge of sweetness. The mouthfeel was full-bodied with a champagne like carbonation feel. The flavour was a combination of malts and fruits. A very good beer.

Nov 11, 2024
09:29:57 PM
16 La Trappe Quadrupel / Koningshoeven Quadrupel Netherlands Abbey Quadrupel 4.7

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

April 11, 2008<br> Smokeless Joe’s (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 125 John Street)<br> 275ml draught<br> 10.00% ABV <br> Kegged On: Unknown<br> $9.00<br> The beer poured a dark reddish brown with a thick, long lasting white head. The aroma was thick with yeast and some sweet caramel malt. The mouthfeel was thick, creamy, and mildly carbonated. The flavour was brown sugar sweet, with some yeasty hints. Not quite as sickly sweet as a Samichlaus or Hardy's.

Mar 29, 2025
11:52:12 AM
17 La Trappe Dubbel / Koningshoeven Dubbel Netherlands Abbey Dubbel 4.7

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

May 9, 2008<br> Smokeless Joe’s (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 125 John Street)<br> 330ml draught<br> 6.50% ABV <br> Kegged On: Unknown<br> $6.95<br> The beer was a beautiful dark brown with some plum coloured hints and a thin, rocky, tan coloured head. The aroma was sweet malt, with some yeasty tones, as well as chocolate and cherry hints. The mouthfeel was medium bodied, mildly carbonated, and slightly creamy. The flavour was caramel malt, some other fruit flavours like cherries and plum, and a little hoppish bitterness to round it out. I loved this beer.

Mar 29, 2025
01:04:37 PM
18 Young's Double Chocolate Stout United Kingdom Chocolate Stout 4.7

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

June 28, 2008<br> LCBO Outlet #217 (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Queen’s Quay)<br> 500ml bottle<br> 5.20% ABV<br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $3.10<br> The beer poured a very dark brown with a generous light brown head. The aroma was roasted malt, and chocolate. The mouthfeel was full-bodied, slightly creamy, and medium carbonated. The flavour was roasted malt, chocolate, and cocoa to give it a 'dry' feel.

Mar 29, 2025
08:11:33 PM
19 Pauwel Kwak Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 4.7

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

October 21, 2008<br> Smokeless Joe’s (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 125 John Street)<br> 330ml bottle<br> 8.40% ABV<br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $11.95<br> The beer was poured into the special Kwak glass a translucent golden red, highly effervescent, and with a long lasting white head. The aroma was yeast, fruity, with some hops. The mouthfeel was medium bodied, with medium to high carbonation. The flavour was sweet malt, plummish tones, and a bitter finish. AR – 9, AP – 9, MF – 10, FL – 10, OA – 9

Apr 5, 2025
12:39:26 PM
20 Westmalle Dubbel Belgium Abbey Dubbel 4.7

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

October 27, 2008<br> LCBO Outlet #255 (Milton, Ontario, Canada – Main / Bronte)<br> 330ml bottle<br> 7.00% ABV <br> Bottled On: Unknown<br> $3.45<br> The beer poured a slightly translucent reddish-brown with a huge tan coloured rocky head that lasted quite a while. The aroma was floral hops, caramel malts, and some yeast tones. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, with mild carbonation. The flavour is malty with some sweet fruit tones (plums, apples) and a little yeast.

Apr 5, 2025
12:41:50 PM
21 Mill Street Cobblestone Stout Canada Dry Stout 4.7

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

May 29, 2009<br> Smokeless Joe’s (Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 125 John Street)<br> 20oz Draught<br> 4.20% ABV<br> Kegged On: Unknown<br> $7.10<br> The beer poured a blackish-brown colour with a creamy tan coloured head that lasted and produced a thin film down the side of the glass. The aroma was fairly simple with huints of roasted malt and coffee. The mouthfeel was creamy and full bodied, with mild carbonation. The flavour was extremely refreshing, and great. There were the same hints of chocolate in the flavour, along with a nice bitter finish.

Apr 6, 2025
10:37:02 PM
22 Val-Dieu Grand Cru Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 4.7

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

750ml bottle <br> 10.5% ABV <br> Best Before: April 11, 2019<br> Main/Bronte LCBO Outlet (Milton, Ontario, Canada)<br> May 4, 2018<br> $9.00<br> The beer pours a translucent dark cherry red colour (when held against sunlight) with a generous dark tan coloured head which lasts. The aroma is Belgian yeast, some tart cherry notes, roasted malt, and burnt caramel. The mouthfeel is full bodied with above average carbonation. The flavour is sweet roasted malt, burnt caramel, some nutty notes, and yeast. This beer warms the stomach, which means it would have best been drank when I bought it as there was snow on the ground and currently it is 75 degrees.

May 4, 2018
12:00:00 PM
23 Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout / Founders CBS United States Imperial Stout 4.7

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

355ml bottle&#60;br&#62; 11.6&#37; ABV &#60;br&#62; Bottled On: September 24, 2018 &#60;br&#62; LCBO #010 &#40;Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Summerhill&#41;&#60;br&#62; December 24, 2018&#60;br&#62; &#36;8.50 &#60;br&#62; The beer pours a solid black colour, similar to pouring motor oil. The head is a minimal brown film on the top. The aroma is quite complex with notes of bourbon, wood, maple, and coffee. The mouthfeel is full bodied with good carbonation. The flavour is bourbon soaked wood, some alcohol hints &#40;quite warming as it goes down&#41;, dark coffee, vanilla, and chocolate. You can smell the maple, but you don’t really taste it. I am concerned that one of the ingredients in this beer is potassium sorbate&#33;

Dec 25, 2018
12:21:25 PM
24 Boulevard Whiskey Barrel Stout United States Imperial Stout 4.7

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

355ml bottle &#60;br&#62; 11.8&#37; ABV &#60;br&#62; Best before: July 25, 2019 &#60;br&#62; LCBO # 255 &#40;Milton, Ontario, Canada – Main &#47; Bronte&#41; &#60;br&#62; December 25, 2018&#60;br&#62; &#36;4.85&#60;br&#62; The beer pours a solid black colour with absolutely no head. The aroma of whiskey shoots straight out of the bottle while being poured. There are notes of vanilla, coffee, and dark chocolate as well, but the whiskey overpowers all. The mouthfeel is full bodied, very creamy, warming, and the carbonation is average. The flavour is dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, and a hint of whiskey. A well balanced stout with a complex aroma from one of America’s better brewer and excellent value for the money&#33;

Dec 25, 2018
11:59:25 PM
25 Bellwoods Hellwoods Canada Imperial Stout 4.7

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

12oz draught <br> 10.0% ABV <br> Bar Hop (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) <br> November 12, 2013 <br> $6.50<br> The beer pours a solid blackish-brown with a dark brown creamy cap. Aroma of roasted malt, coffee, dark chocolate, and vanilla come through loud and clear. Mouthfeel is full-bodied, creamy, and with average carbonation. The flavour is roasted malt, bitter dark chocolate, and a hint of molasses. Excellent beer.

Nov 12, 2013
12:00:00 PM