Beguiling ruddy-hued Belgian-styled dubbel could be richer and more authentic, but who’s complaining as syrupy whiskey overtones embellish sweet banana-bruised cherry-juiced heft and cotton-candied caramelized apple crest. At midst, vanilla bean, rum raisin, sugar plum, and sour fig illusions crowd spicy cinnamon-coriander nook. Subdued Courvoisier, brandy, and bourbon tonicity increases complexity.

Cave aging gives dramatic bottle-conditioned copper-hued ‘aromatic burgundy’ ale a strangely convincing dank mildewed earthiness and mushroomed vegetal smidgen sidestepping dried fig-raisin frontage. Purple grape esters aid mild spiced grain finish as resinous hop bottom swells.

Brewed to the specifics of Belgian recipe, spicy-scented ale with web-like Brussels lace offers flowery citric sweetness, prune souring, and soft-hopped carbonation to tingling fruity wine effervescence. Given proper time to breathe, herbal adjuncts plus clove-allspice accents appear. Flows down the throat like pure silk.