1001 Beers

Beer No: 65
Page No: 315
Category: Blond

Woah foam.  Apparently De Dolle likes to bottle prime their beers agressively which results in gushers (just taking the cork out causes the bottle to foam over).  So you've gotta have your glass ready and start pouring as soon as you can - though, as you can see by the picture, you won't get much into the glass before you need to give it some time to come down a bit.  But I guess you wouldn't expect anything different from the "Mad Brewers" (Dolle Brouwers).

After all the foam dies down, the real flavors of the beer really make themselves known through agressive fruits and spices.  It just makes me long to try it on tap one day.  1001 Beers notes, "Don't hesitate to enjoy it on the outside terrace, which overlooks a peaceful rural scene; the quiet is only broken by the chickens next door, the lowing of the cows, and, of course, the merry sounds of a full house of dedicated drinkers."  One day...one day my Belgium trip will be a reality...

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

De Dolle Arabier from De Dolle Brouwers

Aroma: 8/10
Appearance: 5/5
Taste: 7/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 14/20

Rating: 3.8 / 5.0

Had from bottle. Gushes out when opened, immediately pour into glass which foams up like none other. Pours with a yellow/orange haze once the bubbles finally die down. Aroma is spicy with lots of fruits - orange, lemons, and hops. Yeasty undertones deliver a bready light aroma under the citrus. Taste is similar, very citrus, bready, and spicy. Finishes a bit dry, but the aftertaste is refreshing and lingers nicely. A wonderful strong blond that hides the 8% very well.