The latest collaboration between Teeling and Duvel was presented in the fall. I wasn’t able to make the launch event in Belgium, but was kindly sent a review bottle of the Teeling Belgian Ale Casks. I quite fondly remember the Teeling Amber Ale from a few years ago, so fingers crossed for this one.
Duvel, meaning devil in English, is one of the best-known Belgian producers of a strong golden ale. I remember it being one of my father’s favourite beers growing up. That was back when craft breweries weren’t a thing yet. Belgian ales were viewed as craft beer, certainly in the Netherlands, even though nobody used that particular term yet.
The Teeling Belgian Ale Casks is another in a long line of Small Batch Collaborations. There have been numerous of these, including the aforementioned Amber Ale release, but also a Pineapple Rum Cask, Riesling Cask and many more. In short, Teeling take their Small Batch recipe and simply finish it in different cask types.
In case of the Teeling Belgian Ale Casks, they first sent 400 casks to Duvel Brewery to be used for its Duvel Barrel Aged beer. Afterwards the casks made their way back to Dublin and were used to create the Teeling Belgian Ale Casks. It’s limited to 18,000 bottles and will only be available in the Nordics and the Benelux countries.
Teeling Belgian Ale Casks x Duvel (46%, OB, Batch #3)
Nose: A hint of cured lemons grabs attention first, before moving on to a hint of wood glue, some bitter leafiness and herbal orange liqueur. There’s also a good amount of maltiness, as well as a hint of brioche and sliver of peach.
Taste: Rather syrupy mouthfeel. Hints of apple sauce, then lemons, followed by a touch of cough syrup and just a sliver of cloves and oranges. Plenty of grainy notes (as in grain whisky). There’s a whisper of coffee as well, some pepper and grapefruit pith.
Finish: Short to medium. A hint of shortbread, some gentle ginger notes and a touch of lemon peel. Some husks too.
Sample provided by Teeling
