Draco
Birrificio Montegioco

DracoDraco
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From:
Birrificio Montegioco
 
Italy
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
11%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.51 | pDev: 13.11%
Reviews:
33
Ratings:
53
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 15, 2018
Added:
Oct 11, 2006
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  3
Belgian-inspired ale brewed with fresh blueberries.
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Rated: 3.53 by shelby415 from Oregon

Dec 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by Hayley_86 from Netherlands

Mar 03, 2018
Photo of SLeffler27
Reviewed by SLeffler27 from New York

3.9/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours crimson, eerily reminiscent of blood, but almost clear with sediment left in the bottle. There is no head, carbonation or lace. Whatever froth developed during the pour immediately dissipated, allowing each sip to deposit a thin film on the Keiser Karl chalice.

The aroma is dominated by tart, fruity berries with herbal accents. Prominent was raspberry.

Flavor was unexpectedly bitter, followed by sweetness. Tartness builds later into a long, bracing finish of raspberry. Spicing ranges from mince, leaving a mild burn in the throat.

Alcohol is strong, but just short of hot. The body is full with a hard smooth texture and light carbonation.

This beer can be enjoyed on rare occasions and is more candy than beer.
Jul 09, 2017
 
Rated: 3.41 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Jan 24, 2017
Photo of biegaman
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

3.73/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Draco pours completely flat although there is plethora of bubbles that stick to the glass like barnacles stuck on a rock. The rather spritzy appearance is enhanced by a glowing and cheerful complexion; the amber beer is illuminated by highlights that give it a much lighter, less intimidating air than its 11% alcohol and the dragon on its label would have you assume.

'Sciroppo di Mirtillo' means blueberry syrup - there's your Italian lesson for the day. Of course, that much is obvious if you've so much as sniffed the beer. Maybe not so much the blueberries - it's a fairly generic ' wild forest fruits' flavour, one you could mistake for other fruits - but the syrup part most definitely; it smells viscous, sugary and concentrated.

Until now I hadn't noticed all the spice shakers floating in this thing; all sorts of holiday spices are roused up on the palate. The summery, brambly pie filling flavour gradually morphs into more of a Christmas pudding kind of thing (and, as it warms, a glass of a Port on the side). And it wouldn't be Italian if panettone and almond biscotti weren't in there somewhere too.

Adding sediment made things look a whole lot uglier but also brought out more of the citrus zest, marzipan and gingerbread notes. It's getting more and more Christmas-y by the minute - especially as the warming sensation sets in. This 2014 bottle has had a full two years to mellow and, while still showing some signs of its strength, is overall soft, plummy and gummy.

Draco is more a beer you'd serve to impress friends than something you'd want to drink all to yourself. That said, it's a relatively distinctive and well-constructed treat that does make a nice before-bed tipple. Birrificio Montegioco were early to the game and their offerings speak to the kind of ingenuity and craftsmanship Italians are bringing to the craft beer scene.
Dec 14, 2016
Photo of Beginner2
Rated by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Listed on the "1001", I probably will not Have this again. So, no review.
Aug 21, 2016
Photo of Bitterbill
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

2.99/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Super murky rust coloured with a decent head of foam, some lacing.

The smell starts off with a malty port like aroma that goes a bitter trail as well. Sniffing for the blueberries. .I don't get any.

The taste follows suit with the smell, the only difference being that the finish returns to a more sweet malty side and there's a slight suggestion of something fruity. By golly, I think I have found the wee bit of blueberries after all.

There is no visible dating on the bottle so I have no idea how old this is. Taking a wild guess, this isn't fresh. No revisits for me.
Dec 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by fosters9 from New York

Dec 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by BT_Bobandy from Ohio

Oct 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by KAF from Iowa

Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Rhf9120 from Rhode Island

Jun 30, 2014
Photo of FLima
Reviewed by FLima from Brazil

3.91/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Mahogany color with a one finger head with short retention, but leaving laces and a constant plate.
Aroma of cognac, dry fruits, caramels, vanilla and strawberries.
Very original flavor with notes of blueberries, you could even say a blueberry muffin, hints of cherries, raisins, booze, licorice, herbal and earthy hops, mild vinous, figs and butterscotch.
Dry, bitter and alcoholic aftertaste.
Medium to full body with medium carbonation. Alcohol of 11% abv is definitely everywhere, but doesn’t burn your palate.
Fruity complexity plays a major role here. But it is a hard to judge beer; it could have lower or higher scores. It definitely improved after it warmed up with alcohol more tamed and showing great complexity.
Apr 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by pixieskid from Germany

Aug 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by NIURicky from Illinois

Aug 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by mrfrancis from Kentucky

Jun 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by gabrielsyme from Virginia

Mar 25, 2013
Photo of GuzzLah
Reviewed by GuzzLah from Illinois

2.86/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
A - cloudy amber with no head and minimal carbonation

S - raisin, caramel malt, butterscotch, booze and very faint blueberry

T - flavor is just like the aroma, but the blueberry doesn't add much to the flavor. The booze is a little hot, but not too bad.

M - oily texture, medium body and flat.

O - overall this was a disappointing beer for the price and there are many BSDA that put it to shame. Would not recommend.
Mar 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by st9647v3 from New Jersey

Feb 01, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Dyerseve from Michigan

Nov 25, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by harpus from Alabama

Jul 24, 2012
Draco from Birrificio Montegioco
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 53 ratings