Grottenbier Bruin

Dark red-ish amber colour. Rich head. Caramel and liquorice aroma. Spicy and bitter flavour.

plant like aroma with some alcohol notes and vanilla. very herbal. a dark pour that is copperish a light copper at that with a large sustained head. upfront taste is bitter that burns my tongue in a pleasant way. smooth oaky vanilla and earth flavors. slick finish that leaves me wanting more of this yeasty gem

Dark copper colour. Lively big off-white head that disappears quickly. Has a spicy aroma and also hints of yeast and dried fruits. Malty and sweet taste. Taste of caramel and and hops leaving you with a little bitter and spicy aftertaste. A vert nice beer.

Cherry red body with an overflowing tight-beaded head. Dried fruit and spice on the aroma. Nice smooth full taste at first but then it thins out a bit as you get into it, nutty, orange and pepper also a touch of ginger. Very enjoyable but there is a touch of harshness there in the taste.

Big white cream head topping wine-red hazy body. Aroma is jelly of wild berries. Big taste that’s one great lump of stale hops, old wood, and something musty; aftertaste is mostly bitterness and stale hops. Strangely soft and watery mouthfeel. Really dominated by the hops, but it takes a while to taste it. Good, but not the revelation I’d been led to expect.

Pours a clear dark brown with dissappearing off-white head. Medium sweetness with a light bitterness. Aromas of dried fruits eg. prunes and dades. Bitter finish. Very nice.

A Mes rate: Ahh Bier des Grottes. It’s like an old friend. This was one of the beers that really got me started. A regular back up if there is nothing else I want. Spice and fruitcake aroma with a touch of the caramel creeping in. Muddy brown almost opaque looks with a good light tan head that lasts reasonably well. Lovely flavour that zips around the mouth as soon as you sip. Again it is spice and fruitcake that comes through with some plum, toffee/caramel too. Maybe just a little too much carb if I am going to pick holes. Nice and smooth with a slightly tart bitter finish. Almost always served too cold when I have it. Don’t be too hasty, it gets much better as it warms. Ahh my old faithful.

Edit Oct 2008... what the hell have they done to this beer? Not even a shadow of its former self. Thin mid brown, aroma is just about what it was, flavour has gone to pot. Weak and watery. Like a cheap imitation of what it used to be. Pathetic.Down to a 2.7 from a previously well loved 3.7. A shambles.

Enjoyable brew. Pour is murky copper with a lot of head and carbonation. Aroma is dried fruits, yeast, and malts. Taste is very pleasant and not overwhelming. Heavily malted, with candied fruits and some spice. Finish is a bit sticky with some alcohol warmth. A good seasonal beer.