Gribousine d’Hiver

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Beautiful amber color; thick head, creamy and persistent. Malty aroma, with coriander. Malty taste, some sweetness and a lot of coriander, well balanced, smooth, light liquorice, but quite dry and bitter at the end. Good but without emotions.

Autumn here in Oz started off somewhere in the ’sweat’ to ’uncomfortable to move’ range so a winter warmer seemed inappropriate. Turned out the opposite with this one, somehow sat on one for a good hour as the searing sun made its way down passed the trees on the horizon. Lovely; makes for a more generous and possibly biased rating. Oh well!!
Poured into it’s own tight lipped chalice, initially quite cool from the fridge. The huge beige head erupted off the pour to settle a good inch thick and tight, atop a hazy, fiery copper body. Left behind intricate patterns of lace I swear I could make images out of. Weirdly complex aroma that was in-and-out between orange peel, earthy herbs, berries, tree bark, candi and some burnt sugars. A little harsh and alcoholic on the first sip, which caught me off-guard, but disappeared completely from then on in. Creamy in mouthfeel and medium bodied becoming more full as it warmed. Spices are prevalent in the flavour, as is strong and tangy citric fruits, toffee and clove-like phenols. Light medicinal note of alcohol in the back is clouded by some bitter, herbal hops on the swallow. Finish is like a citric liqueur, all smooth and lightly warming. A touch too gentle in flavour for a big winter warmer so given my choice of day I’d say it would suit lazy days by the pool. Enjoyable. (33cL, BBE 08/06, Int’l Beer Shop, W. Leederville)

A Sim rate (bottle at Kerstbierfestival, Essen): So sweet: honey, syrup, Christmas pudding. So rich. It’s the brandy baked inside rather than the actual cake. Glorious lacing. Lasting head. Rich plum flavour. Christmas pudding. Brandy and sweet honey.

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.

Bottle. Dark golden colour with an off-white head. Aroma is fruit, alcohol, hop. Flavour is fruit, alcohol, hop, berries, orange. Nice beer.

Corked bottle. Reddish amber color. Plums and citrus in the aroma. malty, slightly alcoholic sweetish flavor with pineapple, plums and mango. Just a hint of nutmeg. Pleasant fruity ale with just a hint of flowers.

Deep amber body, good beige head. Yeasty and wine aroma tempered by sweet apricot and grapes notes. The taste adds malty sweetness and licorice. Tastes a bit thinner but the balance is good. Spicy and drinkable, with a good hoppy and slightly bitter finish. Nice winter warmer.

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.