Rigor Mortis Abt – Dieu du Ciel!

Ever have one of those days that just isn’t going well?  That’s today, for me.  Not expressley bad, but just lots of bad news.  So I’m taking it back.  I’m reviewing a beer that I already know kicks ass.  So I’ll be the first to admit this is a totally unobjective review.  Let’s get it on.

Rigor Mortis Abt - Dieu du Ciel!

Rigor Mortis Abt - Dieu du Ciel!

From a 341ml ISB, this massive beer pours a hazy chestnut brown, with a bit of tan head that dissipates to a thick ring and a bit of film pretty quickly.  Aroma is immediately boozy, rum and molasses, dark fruits and leather and a hint of hay.  Damn, I love Belgian style ales.  There’s some spice, hints of clove, and a bit of yeast, as well.  The day is getting better….  Hugely sweet dark malts jump out immediately, big sweet sugary notes, burnt sugar and molasses.  There is a very clear alcohol presence, and some spiciness on the mid palate, but the sweetness comes in again on the finish, which lingers, with a gorgeous licorice flavour that just goes on and on.  At 10.5%, this is clearly a beer for going slow, but I could actually drink a few of these, the mouthfeel isn’t as big as say, Chimay Blue.  It’s a little scary how easily it drinks, given it’s weight.  It is just incredible.  I’d say go buy this, but you would have to drive to Quebec, because you can’t buy it at the LCBO.  Why, you ask?  Obviously a beer this good, and with such a perfect Halloween name would be a perfect fit for the fall release, right?  Yes, except Rigor Mortis is way too death-related for the LCBO’s tastes.  It obviously is much more offensive the Mort Subite (Sudden Death, I guess it could be a hockey reference), Dead Guy Ale, and Dead Elephant Ale (surprised the animal-rights wackos haven’t crawled all over that one).  Of course, these are the same bright sparks who didn’t like the name “Aphrodisiac”, as it was too sexual, but happily approved “Aphrodite”, displaying that they have no experience in Greek Mythology…..  Ah well, Volo has some bottles of this, I think.  You can check it out there.

Thanks to DDC for yet another great beer!

*** UPDATE ***

I take back my bitter words above.  Rigor Mortis is indeed available at the LCBO in the Halloween Release.  See this post with current DDC details.

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