Grisette Ambrée

Brewed by Brouwerij Affligem / De Smedt (Heineken)
Style: Belgian Ale
Opwijk, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Honey rushes out when first pouring this bottle conditioned Amber ale from the Friart family, owners of the St-Feuillien brewery in Le Roeulx, south of Brussels. Grisette (which means young woman), originally brewed around the turn of the last century, as part of the top fermented summer ales designed to quickly quench the thirst of manual labourers, is part of the Saison family and has been revived by the brewery to take advantage of the renewed interest in the Saison style. Honey remains in the taste throughout, though once the head settles down other aromas issue forth. Some metallic notes are first, suggesting rusty iron, which are replaced by medicinal and clove like aromas - all in all a spicy and attractive encouragement to continue drinking. The taste is crisp and clean with honeyish fruits up front, a touch of steel, then a mild bitterness, slightly spicy and slightly metallic - probably the result of the high temperature brewing which is an historic feature of this style. A fruity sweetness returns very late in the finish - like tinned apricots rubbed with cloves.

Sweet and caramel.

Hazy light amber color. Quite simple aroma (light yeast, amlt, hop). Some malt, and quite hidden a nice hoppy note. Quite strong taste (and bitterness).

Bouteille de 250 ml obtenue via Importations Privées Bièropholie. Arôme: Odeur de caramel. Apparence: Couleur ambrée avec une forte densité de bulle. Présence d’un moyen col mousseux beige et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de caramel. La durée de l’arrière goût est moyenne. Palette: Le corps et la texture sont mince. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Présence de caramel fruité en arrière goût. (Rating #464)

Amber colour (as you would expect) with an orange/red tinge. Although said to be bottled conditioned, there was no sediment in mine. Not much exuberance on the pour. Citrus aroma, but nothing very pronounced. Surprisingly tart flavours, mainly lemon again. Shortish, dry finish, slightly sour. Marginally the best of the Grisette beers in my view. Definitely a pleasant quaffer, but of no great distinction. There is some doubt as to whether this is brewed by St Feuillen or at the Heineken Afflgem plant. I see that Silk Tork has a rather less salacious translation of Grisette than mine (see my notes on Grisette Blond). Bottled (250ml) from beersofeurope.co.uk

Amber, no head. Frsh aroma from citrus. Floral and a bit malty. Flavor is malkty and a little spicy and strong, with some floral touches. Some bitterness in the finish.

Clear amber coloured with slim off-white head. Sweet hoppy and malty aroma. Taste is perfumed caramel. Slightly sour and dry. Medium mouthfeel. Unexceptionally OK.

Hazy amber hue, with a tan-colored head, leaving laces, grainy, bready, malty nose of crystal and caramelized malts, with a nutty accent in the aroma follows through on a medium-bodied palate, with a malty character, earthy tobacco and hint of smokiness, leading towards a yeasty, malty peaish and ligering bitter finish.