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Taking Dageraad’s beer to its logical extreme, 10⁰ is the brewery’s biggest beer yet – and will likely remain that way if it continues in its Belgian-styles-only vein.
Quadrupel is the boozy patriarch of the Trappist styles, and as such should be treated with respect. I first tried 10⁰ at Dageraad’s tasting room and was hugely encouraged to see staff refusing people more than a 150ml taster if they were driving. It certainly is not a one-for-the-road kind of brew – yet it goes down amazingly easily for such a strong beer.
10⁰ pours a clouded, dark amber-caramel with a rich, dense, light beige head (with a slight yellow tint) that leaves attractive globules of lace on the glass.
The nose is heavenly and only gets better as it warms. A rich, complex fruitiness boasts aromas of figs and prunes, along with a hint of banana. There’s also a comforting, yeasty warm breadiness, caramelized sugar sweetness, subtle grassy herbs and a subtle perfume of spices including tamarind. There’s a deep, almost creamy, richness to the aroma, which mingles with a fruity mustiness.
On tasting, that rich fruitiness is again to the fore: a slightly tangy, concentrated, sweet fruitiness bringing to mind steeped prunes, plum compote and marmalade. Some bitter herbs appear through the mid as white peppery spice appears, while a rich layer of yeasty breadiness gives layer of warmth underneath. The mouthfeel is lush, rich and velvety, aided by the beer’s fine carbonation. There’s an echo of solvent in the finish.
Do I even need to suggest buying at least one extra bottle to cellar?
Food pairing: That hint of tamarind got me thinking of tamarind chutney, which then got me thinking of veggie pakora, which then made me really hungry. Seriously, as long as the pakora aren’t too spicy, it could work. Another complementary pairing would be a thick, still-warm slice of fresh sourdough slathered with marmalade; or if you want to go savoury, a rich liver pate. Or you could just tackle a generous portion of aged gouda or gruyere. If you’re thinking dessert, I’m thinking apple: apple pie with aged cheddar on top, or a traditional tarte tatin.
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650ml, at Dageraad tasting room and select private stores
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Image may be NSFW.
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