This stuff will knock you on your @$$ at 18% ABV - but there's no taste of alcohol at all. Very heavy on the malts but even at 18% has the mouth feel of a lower alcohol beer. Hard to say why as it's not a Belgian, but reminded me most strongly of a Trappiste Rochefort - there's a sweetness reminiscent of candy sugar. Definitely worth a try, but hard to drink more than one due to the richness.