some truth telling

I felt the need to find something strong for the weekend, since the news is full of nothing but awfulness.  Also, it's gotten a little colder again and a strong beer is more of a comfort than a bright and happy IPA.  I'm still taking a risk, though, with a Belgian stout, since I'm not the biggest fan of Belgian beers and their penchant for weird aftertastes.  Also, it's a cuvée, although it is described as a Russian Imperial Stout in style.  Cuvée Delphine is also barrel-aged in bourbon barrels, so even more potential sweetness.  I seem to recall De Struise from other moments, without any bad impressions, so I will go in under the assumption that they know what they're doing.

Unless the truth is you did kill that guy and bury him under the floor

The aroma is fruity and juicy, not what you expect from a stout but very much a Belgian sensation.  It even veers into winey-ness, with hints of heavy alcohol along the lines of barrel-aged beers.  It looks like a rich, velvety drink, just what you want from those black beers.  While I was apprehensive about the flavor after taking a good whiff, remembering some previous disappointments with cuvées, it's a pleasing and complex flavor in reality.  There is a little bit of fruitiness, but it's well balanced with stouty earth and smoke, as well as a hint of dark chocolate.  There's a good amount of body, but it's not super smooth I would say.  It has a slight prickliness going down, like a cat that wants you to know it isn't your little pet the way the dog is - it might choose to hang out, but you don't have total control, dammit.  Not that you should expect any real roughness, it's more symbolic and just respectful to acknowledge it.  The fruit comes out more and more as the beer warms, developing a clear raisin quality.  However, there's also a feeling of freshness too it, and naturalness.  These are not raisins that have been at the back of the cupboard for ten years, nor is it just raisin flavored chemicals.  In all honesty I would have preferred a lean into the chocolate taste, but it's a warm and cuddly flavor in the end.  No regrets and that's the truth.

Supplier: Labirratorium

Price: €7.85