Hello everyone.  For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying the Rigor Mortis produced by the Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

This will only be the second Dieu Du Ciel offering that I’ve tried thus far, so I don’t really know that much about them as a whole.

Let’s see if we can’t find a bit of information on the Rigor Mortis Abt. from the website, dieuduciel.com.

Strong brown ale inspired by the beer brewed by Belgian Trappist monks. Very little bitterness, this beer has intense malty and sweet flavours, mixed with the taste of chocolate and caramel. It presents complex red fruit and spice flavours due to the type of yeast that is used during the brewing process. This beer is at its best only after it has aged for six months. The Rigor Mortis are complex beers designed and brewed with patience and care in the tradition of the great Belgian Abbey beers.

Ok.  Let’s taste it.  

This brew comes in an 11.5 oz. bottle and it has an ABV of 10.5%.  

The Rigor Mortis poured a brown to deep burgundy color.  It formed a light tan, smooth and creamy head from a very gentle pour.  The size was a touch small, but it showed better than average retention as well as some pretty nice lacing.  Once the head settled, it left a ring around the edges of the chalice.  Some clear alcohol legs were noticed when tilted as well.  

The nose announced a good dose of dark fruits.  Black cherries and plums mostly.  A solid waft of yeast and bread too.  A relatively strong vapor of caramel malt added a significant sweetness.  A firm hint of alcohol was happened upon also.  It wasn’t overbearing, however easily noticed.  Honestly, I didn’t find much spice in the bouquet.  Overall though, very nice and pleasing I thought.  

The taste let loose some more of that dark fruit.  Again, mostly black cherries and plums.  The alcohol became very apparent with the first couple of sips, although it settled and melded very well after only a few moments.  The taste seemed very yeasty, doughy and bready to me…… and I liked it.  Likewise, the caramel sweetness and sugars were intermingled nicely.  Whatever spices that were found seemed to be overtaken by the fruits and sugars.  Towards the end, only after it had warmed significantly, I began to taste a slight, but welcomed woodiness, which added a nice parting touch of complexity.  

The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  Very dry, somewhat chewy and smooth.  Low to medium strength carbonation was to be had and even though the alcohol was easily tasted, the warmth at the back end seemed quite restrained.  Plenty of flavor was left behind after each sip however.  

Well, to me, this beer only got better and much more enjoyable the longer I let it sit and develop.  It really became a lot more balanced, harmonious and easier to drink.  It has plenty of character and flavor to ponder as one works their way through the bottle.  This beer would fit perfectly with the crisp and cool evenings of the Fall in my opinion.  I would love to pick up another bottle or two and put them back for a while to see how they change.  I would think that they would lose some of that sweetness and let the bready goodness really step up to the forefront.  I’ll say this, if you guys have the opportunity to try the Dieu Du Ciel Rigor Mortis Abt, please do so.  I think you may very well like it.  Be sure to let me know what you think also.

Thanks for reading and commenting everyone.  I appreciate the continued support.  

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  4.0 out of 5
Grade:  B+