Abbaye D'Aulne Alleluia
Brasserie Val De Sambre

OK, sersiously. How does this beer have only one review? I have the impression that it's not that hard to get a hold of. I have seen it for the past decade, or so, in various parts of the country at better beer stores. Is it out of production?

Anyway, I came on here to peruse a few reviews of this beer, specifically looking to see if there were any impressions of this stuff after extended aging. As it happens, the only review is of an old bottle.

So, my (last) bottle shows a date of 21-Dec-1999. I am wondering if I have quaffed more recent bottles in years past, and this one simply slipped thru the cracks.

On to the beer itself.

Nose: It still sports a wonderful aroma - fruity, sweet, and malty.

App: As always, a pretty ruby color destroyed by massive chunks of floaties. It doesn't seem to matter how many years this beer sits upright, how I cool it, or how carefully I pour it. A mess. And I have no aversion to gulping down bottle sediment, but this stuff is absurd.

Taste: Still good, no doubt about it. It's lost something, but it remains a well above average Belgian ale. Sweet with burnt sugar, dark fruits, maltiness, and hint of estery taste hanging on.

Drnk: If you ignore the appearance, this is dangerously easy to drink beer. Too bad I can't have another right now.

Now that I need some more, let's see if it's still out there.

Had a bottle of 1995 vintage at the Kulminator, which was 6 years old at the time, and in quite good shape. Appearence: Big head. Reddish brown, very clear. Aroma: Rich malt, nice vinous quality. Flavor: Smooth. Faily sherryish. Easily drinkable for gravity.