Arbeiter Quatre Benriach Peated Scotch Barrel-aged Belgian Quad

 Arbeiter Quatre Benriach Peated Scotch Barrel-aged Belgian Quad. 

10.4 % ABV, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Dark mahogany hued, opaque, tight ring of beige foam above. 

In the nose: dizzyingly complex. We get the rich, malty aromatics of a Belgian quadrupel at the core, but do much more enters the mix. Getting the whisky and the pear, but the quad character stands in command. 

In the mouth: thick, full, rich and fulfilling. Quite a mouthfeel. Sweet and strong, notes of cherries, berries, fig, date, a beautiful blend. Where does the barrel end its magic and the original beer emerge triumphant? There’s plenty of Scotch barrel work here, but the Quad is clearly king. 

This is the perfect nightcap for the evening. A cold, hard week of coming to terms with the fact that winter is not taking it easy on us this year. You can easily lose yourself in this, relax and indulge. I will not let it bother me tonight.