Antwerp's Placebo
Batch Brewing Company

The nearly licorice black body builds a short, fluffy tan head that retains for a short while before leaving some spokes of lace on the glass after dying to a still and flat glassy surface.

Surprisingly well integrated with the Port barrel, the oak adds nutty nougat to the Belgian strong components of dark toast and lightly tart prune with a malty exhale. Notes of caramel and charred marshmallow develop as it warms, meeting some ashy oak, date, cocoa powder and ginger snap.

The slick medium body is semi-sticky on the lips, but goes down into a semi-dry swallow that warms the gullet.

It’s good. I’m not very far into it. First thing I notice is it’s extremely drinkable for over 15%.

The lack of carbonation actually makes it drink more like sherry than beer.


It’s brewed with raisins, dates and prunes. I don’t think I’d pick out prune per se but it’s quite dark, dried fruit forward. The Belgian yeast flavor profile is not in your face but I do get some banana flavor. If you don’t like that this might not be for you, but I find it pretty subtle for me.