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Koningshoeven Quadrupel Trappist Ale

Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven
Tilburg, The Netherlands
Imported by: Artisanal Imports, Inc.
Place: Austin, TX

Available: NY, NC, GA, FL, OH, MI, CO, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, DC, NJ, OK, TN, TX, VA, OR, WA, CO

The Trappist Monks of Gethsemane, KY have asked that “La Trappe” not be used in conjunction with alcohol (even though they sell a fudge with bourbon…) so the beer in the US has officially been renamed Koningshoeven, after the brewery. The name of the beer is Koningshoeven Quadrupel Trappist Ale.

Alcohol (wt.): 8
Alcohol (vol.): 10
Color: 38 EBC
Bitterness: 25
Original Gravity: 1092
Final gravity: 1018
Malts used: pale, caramel, munich, roastmalt
Hops used: Hallertau Northern Brewer, Slovenian
Super Steirer

• Charles Finkel

  Handsome new habit for a defrocked Trappist, now back in the fold. Slightly turbid golden-amber color is topped with a complimentary eggshell head. Sweet nose is fresh and inviting. Mouth feel is fruity and well balanced, leaving the impression of a much lighter and easier to drink beer than the label’s confession of 10% ABV. Served at a Sunday brunch with morel mushroom omelet made us all believers.

• Michael Jackson

  This name was coined by this abbey and had arguably come to indicate a style. I love the idea of a Trappist monestary having a top-of-the-line product named to indicate excess. Trouble is, I have never been wholly convinced. The beers have varied, but they never really made me fear God. This one is temptingly creamy and spicy in aroma, but that suggestion of eucalyptus is distracting. If I told the priest at confession that I had thought I was drinking Dr. Pepper, he might just believe me.

• Stan Hieronymus

  If this beer speaks to you and you try to answer, there’s every chance you may slur a word of two. Packs a punch that seems even stronger than its 10% ABV. Opens with a sweet nose, laffy taffy, lemon pledge, then fresh-picked sweaty plums and spicy alcohol. Just as fruity in the mouth, with caramel and burnt sugar. Definitely lands on the sweet side of balance. Relatively full body makes this more appropriate to have with dessert—or as dessert—rather than with a meal.