Beer, Motorcycles and Cigars — Beer, Bikes and Butts

Tonight’s tasting in the parlor involves a Duvel Belgian Golden Ale and a La Flor Dominicana 2000 series.

Duvel Belgian Golden Ale

Looking for some different beers to review, I found myself in the designer beer section of a Whole Foods Market, where most of the unusual beers come in 750ml bottles. It’s horrible that I’m having to tackle these larger beers, but I do it for you. And I can tell my bride I’m just having one beer.

This Duvel pours translucent gold with a large frothy white head. Each taste leaves behind more Belgian Lace. The nose is citrus and pear, with a touch of yeast. The taste is also citrus, but with spice and malt. The mouthfeel is both crisp and creamy, and belies the 8.5 ABV. This is a great beer.

La Flor Dominicana 2000 Series

This La Flor came in a cigar sampler from an on-line cigar shop. I knew nothing about this brand, so I go in with an open mind.

The cigar is made in the Dominican Republic with a Cameroon wrapper and Brazilian filler, from what I can tell. It is a 5 x 50 robusto with a flat press. I like flat press cigars – no rolling away when you set it down. But because of the flat press, it presents as a diminutive cigar. No problem with the construction, draw or burn.

The initial taste shocked me with its harshness. Had it stayed there for the following tokes, I would have pitched it, but it immediately mellowed. The taste is spicy with a touch of mint, but is nothing remarkable. I was pleasantly surprised after the initial shock, and would not refuse one of these if offered, but it is not a cigar I would ever buy or revisit.

Duvel Belgian Golden Ale — 9.5
La Flor Dominicana 2000 Series — 7

Posted on September 13th, 2008 by Aaron Morris
Filed under: Beer, Cigars, Reviews