Gribousine d’Hiver

Brewed by Brasserie La Binchoise
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Binche, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Hazy amber hue, with a beige head, leaving laces, yeasty, cookie dough nose, with some toasted malts, and some toffee, caramel accents, with some spiciness in the aroma follows through on a medium-bodied palate with a yeasty, sweet toasted, caramelized malt character, with a biscuity accent, some brown sugar, with a mild pruney, raisiny fruity note, with a sweet alcoholic mouthfeel, leading towards a toasty, malty, warm, dry hop finish.

Clear amber of color with a beige head. An aroma of spice, sweet raisins and notes of sherry. A flavor of caramel, cinnamon, spice, wood and liqurice notes.

Perhaps there are a number of beers like this that all present the same good qualities but don’t have the edge over a lot of others that can really define this as another special Belgian. Good qualities as expected in a finely crafted beer of its ilk, spiciness and some fine fruity esters. Caramel and plum pudding in the aftertaste and good balance.

Bottle. Pours a muddy, slight red amber with a beautiful, cramy white head, settling fine on the liquid. Aroma is very spicy, some raisins, some coriander, some cinnamon, a milky creamyness to it all. Very full mouthfeel, seeing it has little carbonation. Flavour is a tad limited compared to the aroma. Quite vinious. Spicy flavours, some caramel, a feel of plums and raisins. Good, but the flavour could match the flavour better.

Bottled. Hazy amber, brief head. Aroma of ripe fruits. Sweet with clean, hard mouthfeel. Very drinkable for it’s size - I can’t believe it’s this strong. Leaning towards being light bodied. Also rather light in flavours - there are some dusty ripe apples but no bitterness.

3 June 2006 - Big apricot fruit spice hoip aroma. Cloudy light brown colour,good head and great lacing. big spicey hop and light fruit flavour. thick, spicey finish and lingering light fruit.

Sweet malt aroma with fruit. Murky red amber colour with good head and lacing. Sweet fruit flavour with malt. Smooth palate.

Bottle @ Kerstbierfestival 2006 in Essen, BE. Amber color with fair white head. Aroma is malty, spices (cinnamon). Flavor is moderate sweet and bitter, with a spice note end is dry.