Name: King of My Castle B.A.
Brewer: Brouwerij Frontaal (Netherlands)
Style: Mixed-Style Beer
ABV: 11%
Review Year: 2022
King of My Caste B.A. by the Dutch craft brewery, Brouwerij Frontaal, is a Belgian-style quadruple blended with a stout and was aged on Cognac and Armagnac barrels.
Backlog review from January 2022.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Mixed-Style Beer (34B) combining Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (33B), Belgian Dark Strong Ale (26D), and Imperial Stout (20C) as the base style in the context of the 2021 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Aroma
The aroma greets the senses with rich notes of dark chocolate and coffee, accompanied by the soothing fragrance of raisins. There is a subtle presence of alcohol, giving it a warming sensation, along with a depth-adding hint of wood.
Appearance
Deep brown color; medium khaki-hued head that retains its structure throughout.
Flavor
The taste experience begins a showcases dark fruits, reminiscent of raisins. Cacao nibs bring a rich chocolate essence, complemented by hints of molasses and wood. The beer exhibits a medium bitterness that intertwines with a moderately high sweetness. The finish lingers, leaving behind dark fruits, a final reminder of this beer’s complexity.
Mouthfeel
Medium body; moderately low carbonation
THE VERDICT
King of My Castel B.A. is an excellent interpretation of a beer that combines three distinct styles: Imperial Stout, Belgian Dark Strong Ale (BDSA), and a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer. However, it leans more towards a Belgian Quad (or a BDSA) than an Imperial Stout due to its prominent dark fruit esters and mouthfeel. The influence of Armagnac and cognac barrels may have further accentuated this Belgian Quad-like character. Nevertheless, the malt backbone, featuring the prominent flavors of dark chocolate and coffee, along with the roasty bitterness, reminds us that the beer retains some elements of an Imperial Stout.
Whether you’re a fan of highly potent Belgian dark beers or Imperial Stouts, this beer offers a delightful fusion that is worth savoring and discussing.
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