“Sterk & Donker, our ode to the Belgian Dark Strong Ale, aged in STARWARD whisky casks for 12 months. We created our own dark Belgian style candi syrup to add to the layers of malt complexity. Notes of whisky, dried fruits, oak and Belgian yeast esters combine into a truly harmonious blend.”
Glassware: Trappist tulip.
Appearance: Dark brown with soft mahogany edges. It forms a thumb of finely beaded foam which persists.
Aroma: Smells of Christmas cake and gingerbread men! Gets more and more complex by the minute. The Starward whisky barrels are a perfect marriage for this beer with its traditionally dark fruit-forward sweetness, caramel and sherry. Not to mention the subtle musty oak it also offers. The yeasty banana, clove, pear and toasty malts just eat it up.
Flavour: Big and luscious, yeasty, super sweet but well balanced by the whisky barrels. It’s too layered and complex so we’ll just blurt it all out – we get banana runts, earthy spice (clove, anise, nutmeg), raisin, fig, prunes, gingerbread, sourdough, sherry, Christmas cake, toasty malt and apple/pear.
Mouthfeel: Thick and gelatinous. Full bodied with mild-moderate co2. Tell you what that 11.2% AbV is very well concealed.
Overall: We have massive respect for any Aussie brewery that can brew a decent quad. We’d kiss the toes of any Aussie brewery that can offer a quad that would rival a Belgian one. Boatrocker are in this category!