Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel Ale (ABV 11%) from the De Halve Maan Brewery is a quadrupel that pours dark brown with a frothy beige head.
Top fermented and bottle conditioned, the brew boasts aromas of caramel, apple, bread, raisin and cherry with notes of cocoa and malt.
Taste follows a similar profile and opens with sweet fruits immediately balanced by toasty malt and notes of licorice, allspice and pepper.
The mouthfeel is rich, lush and creamy with medium carbonation and an 11.0% ABV that is well hidden. The finish is long, warm and dry. Ratebeer.com rating: 99 (out of 100) 25.4 oz corked bottle.
Food Pairings
Pair with braised meats (except those that include tomatoes); the caramelized flavors of the meat naturally match up with the brown sugar notes of the beer. Excellent with a honey-glazed ham, roasted beets or French onion soup.
It partners cheeses well, elegantly complementing triple creams and offering a calming accompaniment for formidable blues.
The beer is a joy with rich chocolate desserts as it complements their dark flavor notes without being overly sweet.
Top fermented and bottle conditioned, the brew boasts aromas of caramel, apple, bread, raisin and cherry with notes of cocoa and malt.
Taste follows a similar profile and opens with sweet fruits immediately balanced by toasty malt and notes of licorice, allspice and pepper.
The mouthfeel is rich, lush and creamy with medium carbonation and an 11.0% ABV that is well hidden. The finish is long, warm and dry. Ratebeer.com rating: 99 (out of 100) 25.4 oz corked bottle.
Food Pairings
Pair with braised meats (except those that include tomatoes); the caramelized flavors of the meat naturally match up with the brown sugar notes of the beer. Excellent with a honey-glazed ham, roasted beets or French onion soup.
It partners cheeses well, elegantly complementing triple creams and offering a calming accompaniment for formidable blues.
The beer is a joy with rich chocolate desserts as it complements their dark flavor notes without being overly sweet.
Located in Bruges, Belgium, Brouwerij De Halve Maan ("Half Moon Brewery") was founded in 1856 by Leon (also known as Henri I) Maes, and has remained family owned and operated ever since; it is, in fact, one of the very last working family breweries in the Bruges city center.
In the early 1980s the brewery was struggling and Veronique, great-great granddaughter of Henri I, was approached by the mayor, who requested a special ale to commemorate the inauguration of the new statue of Saint Arnold, patron of beer brewers.
Since interest in traditional beer styles was on the rise, Veronique crafted a top fermented, high alcohol ale which became an instant hit, so much so the mayor would require it served at all official town hall receptions.
Today, under the guidance of a sixth generation of the Maes family, the Halve Maan Brewery exports award-winning ales worldwide and is one of the fastest growing breweries in Belgium.
Write a Review
Nov 22, 2020 | By David U.
Oct 10, 2020 | By Nathaniel O.
Jul 15, 2019 | By JLM
Jun 12, 2017 | By Susan
Reviews
4 reviews
Favorite Belgium Beer
Nov 22, 2020 | By David U.There is nothing that strikes greater memories walking the streets of Bruges and dining to great Flemish cuisine than a Straffe Hendrix quad. It's such an amazing beer...
David U.
Excellent
Oct 10, 2020 | By Nathaniel O.The Straffe Quadrupel is not a traditional quad but quite excellent. It is much darker than I expected with deep flavors of chocolate and coffee but the traditional Quadrupel yeast flavors still come through. I was very pleasantly surprised but expect a beer appreciably darker than the traditional quad.
Nathaniel O.
Glad I Found You!
Jul 15, 2019 | By JLMWhile it's becoming easier these days to find important beers locally, Belgians and some Trapisten are more difficult to come by, you will probably find the one you'r looking for here. The purchase was smooth and friendly, and the shipment was very well-packed and reasonably prompt. Thanks.
JLM
Our favorite!
Jun 12, 2017 | By SusanRate these qualities (5 is the highest):
Aroma * * * * *5
Appearance * * * * *5
Taste * * * * *5
Palate * * * * *5
Susan
