La Rullés Cuvée Meilleurs Voeux (Bière De Gaume)
Brasserie Artisanale De Rulles SPRL

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a clear reddish brown, with fine, lacy head.

Smell is fruity, with raisins, dark syrup and hints of leather, orange and Gammeldansk.

Taste is rich and fairly bitter. Fruity raisins, some leather and more hints of Gammeldansk.

Mouthfeel is medium, with plenty of carbonation.

Overall, a well made dark Belgian, drinkable and a bit warming.

 348 characters

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was a nice looking hazy dark brown color with a one to two finger white foamy head that dissipated within about a minute leaving some light lacing sticking and sliding at the same time. The smell had a glossed over slightly cooked sugary and slight chocolate /glazed cakey sort of breadiness. The taste pretty much copied the smell with a light sweet chocolatey aftertaste leading to a sweet wet finish. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. The carbonation sat pretty good for the style and for me. Overall, pretty nicely done Belgian Dark ale that I would love to have again.

 685 characters

3.79/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

From the 750 ml. bottle. Sampled on May 22, 2016.

The pour is reddish-brown with a modest, short-lived tan head. Good clarity.

The aroma is inviting but not unique with its Belgian candied malt sweetness, cellar, oil, mild herbs, and low hop profile.

Medium body of better.

The taste is toasted Belgian malts, Belgian sweetness, and a mild to moderate toasty bitterness to end. Really not extraordinary but still delightful in its way.

 440 characters

4.19/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

While I am partial to Belgian blondes, this one looked great in the glass... and stayed that way. ( I wanted the liquid to stay, but when all that was left was lace... I was satisfied I made the right choice.)

Full aromatics for the holiday season, the spices, the sugar, the fruits and the fruitcake also take turns presenting themselves.

One of the most interesting aspects of this beer was how it eventually finished dry; but, all the flavors that went on before still seemed to be present. I brought this large bottle to share, but almost didn't... a bit of self-indulgence once this river of flavors surrounded my senses.

While creamy cheeses more often are recommended with Belgian darks, I found this was great with a blue; as it kept interrupting the beer and then, eventually, all the beer flavors would come back. It was a great duet because I could keep tasting the beer as if I had just started.

There is something special about Belgian Holiday beers... something so special that it may be a while before North America's Belgian-focussed brewers can match it. In the meantime, if you see the Rulles rendition, buy it and you will learn that the spirits of Christmas are to shared.

 1,197 characters

3.56/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Champs in State College, PA. poured into a tulip glass.

L: Pours a semi-opaque mahogany color. Thick creamy off-white head and nice lacing.

S: Dark fruits and brown sugar... candied apples.

T/F: Malty up front but overall lacking on the flavor profile for a Belgian Strong. Mild dark fruits and sugars... caramel and spice. Medium carbonation and fairly smooth.

O: Disappointing for a Belgian Dark Ale... I expected more flavor and this one was just lacking. Not a bad beer by any stretch but not one that I would seek out again. There are much better Belgian strong's available.

 614 characters

3.64/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

From cervezasespeciales. In Teku glass. After dinner & reviewing book. 8 months after BBF date. Very good taste on the first glass, like the best quads although less aroma. However, in the second one (or when it warms), it loses a bit of taste.

 245 characters

4.07/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Dark mahogany, big hearty fluffy light beige head that lingers for a lot.
Sweet caramel, apple, overripe apricot, some warmth, light licorice and anise, light raisin, malt sweetness.
Nice sweet fruity taste with quite some alcohol in the start. Lots of red apple, some apricot, light raisin, plum, faint berries, some crisp orange peel and even a hint of pineapple. Lots of festive spices, especially a lot of licorice, but also clove and ginger. Sweet caramelised malts, bit of biscuit, plus a bit of extra candi sugar. Finishes a bit bitter, actually, with some nice spicy hop.
Aftertaste has orchard fruit, Christmas spices, sweet malt and some hop. Medium body and carbonation, not sticky, but quite crisp and refreshing.
Delivers a sweet maltiness that fits with the cold season, nice and spicy, festive. Really nice, but a bit of intensity would've helped.

 862 characters

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Vinous, lightly acetic aroma, with dark candi sugar sweetness. Esters of banana and pear add complexity.

Flavor is very malty initially, lightly sweet, with a deeply toasted, finish and moderate bitterness and spice in the aftertaste. Notes of pear, banana, and tart cherry surface late.

Would prefer a bit more tartness or sweetness...or both. A bit weak in flavor.

 369 characters

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bought a big bottle (unspecified anywhere on the bottle about how many ML, oh well, not my fault) at a local bottle shop in Juneau, AK (Breeze In, Valley location).
Anyways, figured it was Christmas Eve, why not, right.
This was poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a dark brown close to black color with a good finger's and a half worth of foamy off white lacing after the head died off.
The smell had a decent baked chocolate to light ginger spice to it.
The taste was semi-sweet with a light spice (ginger - maybe). There's a sweet wet chocolate aftertaste leading to a sweet chocolate finish.
The mouthfeel was about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. Carbonation is super smooth, holy moley, this one is super smooth.
Overall, holy crap, this is so smooth. I dig it as a Belgian Dark Ale, it works and I'd have it again.

 870 characters

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at Thirsty Monk Asheville. Served in a mini snifter.

A- Pours a medium brown color with a 1/2 inch tan head that retains well before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a half sheet of sheer surface foam. Resilient sheet of lacing.

S- Dark fruit notes including black cherry, currant and blackberry. Faint spice.

T- Very balanced flavor of toasty malt, slightly sweet dark fruit and more mild spice. Hint of oxidation.

M- Slightly dry and a bit tangy. Medium-high carbonation and a fullish body.

O- Pretty good but not anything super special. Easy to drink for the ABV and has all the right flavors to satisfy your BSDA craving.

 662 characters

3/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is less “craft” and more upscale than the normal La Rulles. It has less chunks of raisins. It’s more filtered. The aroma is less strong. The flavor is less strong. The raisin aroma is diminished. It has a floral aroma. More alcohol. A big head becomes a thinner but not flat. Medium to high carbonation. Bitter. I prefer the normal La Rulles.

 353 characters

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Large beige head that settles in a lumpy way. Ruby-amber color and predictably cloudy. Good ring lace.

Semi-sweet with the smell of milk chocolate and darker (deeply toasted, but not burnt) malts. Some alcohol and yeast in the background.

A dark malt start with a rich toasty flavor. The swallow has a mild bitterness with a berry-like touch. Thin bodied which is enhanced by the notable alcohol presence. Low carbonation.

 424 characters

3.81/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours into a chalice a deep burgundy brwon with a sticky tannish colored head head atop,a great pour.Aromas of spent grain and yeasty spice with a light alcohol note.Flavors are yeaty up front with some cork-like notes,some phenol spice comes into play thru to the finish.Not bad and not overly heavy,the yeast plays a big role here.

 333 characters

3.39/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Deep mahogany bodied ale with a big frothing tan khaki head forming thick rising above the rim of the glass. Aroma has tart fruit with big funky yeast notes, hints of citrus and Christmas spices. Santa is on the label looking pretty deviant without a beard, maybe it's one of the brewers at La Rulles. A deep fruit note pretty non descriptive flavor, big malts, mild spicy yeast notes leaves a dry semi sweet finish. Dark leather notes, medicinal cherry, earthy sprigs from pine trees or oak birch accents, what a beer. The type of Belgian ale only a mother could love big overpowering and a bit of a bully this has no finesse compared to some of my favorite ales out there. Overall I'm waiting to try something excellent in comparison, to this dumbed down and non accentuated notes that I've come to know and adore.

 816 characters

3.79/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

With the taste of Belgian Strong Dark Ale but with the body of Belgian Pale Ale, De Rulles holiday offering puts it in Dubbel territory, but wait... there's more...

The pour erupts with champagne-like turbulence. Once settled, a tightly woven cap of cream-colored foam caps the hazed rusty body beneath with long-lasting persistence and while slathering the glass with classic lacing patterns.

Sweetness, tartness, and earthen qualities register with its scent. Malt influences of caramel, nuts and an overall candied scent anchors the aromas while spicy peppercorn, grassy hops, orange peels and hay all have a say in its balanced scent. Mild rose wine and cider offers a tinge of acidity heading into taste.

Its medium-bold taste carry a taste of those stronger Belgian ales but with less intense taste. Though the candied and caramel flavors are apparent on the early palate, it doesn't necessarily have the sweetness that usually accompanies those tastes. Instead, its dry malt character is delightfully grainy and nutty. Other fruit-cake rounded flavors of dates, figs, light raisins, cherries and apples highlight its fruity yeast character- just ahead of the peppery spice, soft coriander, bitter orange peel and fennel before trailing into a grassy hop bite. Again, an air of cider and wine give a mild acidic taste that propels fruit flavor and complements its spice.

Its dry taste is only overdone by its dry texture. The beer's arid malt body thwarts its early sweetness and relies on its dry malt structures to carry its fruit and spice over the middle and into a whimsical finish that dissolves on the mouth like winey cotton candy. Its acidity, hops and marginal alcohol warmth further reinforce its dry finish.

With a lot of old-world, rustic charm- Le Rulles Cuvee has all the earthy spiciness that the style deserves. Along with its unapologetic carbonation, the ale simply springs to life and is ideally suited for many holiday desserts.

 1,960 characters

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yet another La Rullés beer I picked up at the house of 1,000 beers for 5 bucks. Not bad considering its less than a year old (possibly)
A - Very lively carbonation giving me well over 1/4 inch of deep opaque head. Color is a rich amber brown, hazy but has mild bubbles.
S - Very balanced and mild. Dark fruits, chestnut, and a touch of sweet Belgium yeast. Has a touch of cherry as well (sour funk).
T - Very balanced as it warms I get a kiss of hops, but it's mostly raisin/ plum, with a bit of brown sugars. Yeasts are spot on not very dry but fruity. Exceptional.
M - For over 7% this Belgium Dark drinks light to medium, not very dry, so its very well crafted.

Overall I found it quite simple not getting much coriander, pepper spice, or sweet banana flavors but as I drink it grew on me like Chimay Blue, but much cheaper. Even though its over 6 months old now pick it its a perfect example of the style.

 911 characters

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Reddish-black with a finger of frothy khaki-ten head. Fades fairly slowly.

S - Dark caramel malts, Belgian yeast, clove, coriander, pepper, other spices, raisins, plums, other dark fruits.

T - Sweet dark caramel malts, raisins, plums, and other dark fruits, Belgian yeast, clove, coriander, pepper, other spices, a touch of banana.

M - Medium-plus bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a sweet and spicy finish.

D - Great BDA. Good balance.

 456 characters

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Mad props to joemcgrath27 for yet another stellar hook-up.

A - Pours a slightly hazy ruby red with a solid thumb of head, solid retention and some sporadic lacing.

S - Classic dark Belgian with dark fruit notes, sweet yeast esthers, hints of figs and dried fruit, with a touch of cloves on the finish.

T - A surprising dark malt flavour comes through on the palette, hits of cocoa and leather alongside muddled dark fruits and hints of cloves. Dark cocoa an hints of espresso linger alongside some grassy hops and buttered bread.

M - Lighter bodied with loads of carbonation and finishes surprisingly wet.

O - I thoroughly enjoyed this brew, less heavy on the fruity flavours and a solid dark malt profile. Easily sessioned and well worth seeking out. I'm grateful for the opportunity to take this brew for a spin.

 819 characters

3.67/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, toast, dark fruit, and some spice aromas. Taste is much the same with dark fruit and char-like flavors on the finish. There is a medium amount of roasty and spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some nice aromas but the flavors are a bit burnt tasting.

 556 characters

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

from notes
A - Swampy purple with light at the bottom, 2 fingers of head, half finger retention
S - Plumb and pear, light clove and spice, mild caramel
T - Big minerally note, leafiness and slightly grainy, strangely the belgian phenol flavours are outnumbered
M - creamy carbonation with a smooth feel, alcohol is well integrated here with not real bite
O - generally a pleasant enough Belgian Dark, however the label and timing left me hoping it would have more of an winter/xmas quality to it which it fails to deliver on, but still well worth a try

 554 characters

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This poured a cloudy mahogany with fluffy light tan head.
S: It smelled like earthy caramel and sour Belgian yeast, with some dark fruit and sourdough and candi sugar.
T: It tasted like toasted sourdough and earthy caramel, with some sour Belgian yeast and sweet candi sugar. It had a clean and sweet and sour aftertaste.
M: It was oily with smooth natural carbonation. Great body.
D: This was a nice BSDA, but nothing special. It would probably age really well, but it was also ok fresh. Decent.

 499 characters

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer bottle (75 cl.) purchased from Biéres & Chopes, and tasted in 2013.

Appearance : brown red color, with tan foramy head.
Smell : roasted malt and spicy aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : roasted malty ans spices flavors, with solid bitterness.
Drinkability : a good beer in the Belgian style Strong dark ale.

 307 characters

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

C+

750ml into a tulip. Pours an opaque deep walnut, minor coffee colored head receded rapidly, minor lacing.

Aroma is of lightly charred malts, unsweetened rum cake ingredients sans the rum.

Watered down raisins and plums. Flavor has a nice subtle molasses note plus a hint of char, more would be nice. Thin bodied, feels lowly carbed. Far from bad but nothing stands out, lacks personality.
jd

 397 characters

3.84/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark cloudy red with a fair amount of light tan hops. A solid blanket retains, leaving walls of lacing.

S: Lightly sweet and yeasty. Mild spices. Nothing overbearing, but overall it's a reasonably nice effect.

T: Thick but not overpowering sweetness, especially through the finish. There are very minor notes of spice. It's nice, if a bit one-dimensional.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, pretty nicely matched to the flavor profile.

Overall, good, but just good. Nothing outstanding or really new. It's well done though, and I'd have it again.

 562 characters

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass, body is a semi-transparent dark brown. Big foamy head and good retention, with sticky lacing and a cap of foam to the last drop.

Nose is sweet with toffee. Lots of seasonally appropriate notes of cherries, cola, coffee, plums, cinnamon and clove spices.

Tastes pretty smooth with notes of charred malt, and all of the above flavors. Maybe a little roasted pepper too.

Ample round carbonation with a creamy mouthfeel and some spiciness on the tongue.

This is a very nice winter warmer. While it has a Belgian dark strong ale profile, it also has some dry stout qualities. Packs a lot of dark wintery and spicy flavor into a beer that is just 7.3% and is not too sweet. Gladly will I drink more of this.

 736 characters