Bottled in 2000 – drank in 2004 – The bottle opened with a big swish and poured a light brownish beer with a huge bubbly head with excellent retention. Aroma of alcohol with a mix of spice. Carbonation is perfect with lots of bubbles coming back on top of my glass. Taste is a mix between a strong Belgian ale with a mix of a good well aged port. The alcohol is mostly sensible in the aroma but undetectable form the taste. Overall, this is a beer that aged well and is true to the name “bière de garde”.

New shipment in 2004 though it may still be a 2003 bottling. Pours a lovely light orange-amber/yellow, lightly hazy, bottle conditioned with a big slightly creamy wheat colored head. Aroma is big and fruity, golden delicious apples, lightly spicy hops, raw barley, dusty cobwebs, and grassy herbs. Flavor is equally impressive; vanilla liqueur, spicy yeast, yellow candied fruits, touch of sweet caramel and maybe some orange blossoms. Mouthfeel is smooth and almost creamy, but has a nice sour/bitter hops bite on the finish. Wonderfully complex and balanced. Full to medium-full bodied.

Bottled (2003 version with 8.0% alcohol). Pale reddish amber with rich head. Fruity nose with a hint of cherry. Cloves and other spices like oregano are there, as is toffee and yeast. The mouthfeel is light and lively. The lingering finish is full of toffee, salt and grass. Complex and really pleasant.