Klein Duimpje Erik de Noorman

Brewed by Huisbrouwerij Klein Duimpje
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Hillegom, Netherlands

A reasonably vigorous pour produces a three-finger thick, frothy, light tan colored head. The beer is a red stained, amber color that shows a quite clear, orangish tinged, light red hue when held up to the light. Fairly hoppy, with a candied citrus and bright berry aromatic note to it. Towards the back end a touch of sharper citrus oil notes and perhaps a touch of pine comes out. Bergamot oil aromatics play a nice role here and provide a nice, bright orange note to the nose. Surprisingly little malt character is noticeable under the hop character though it certainly boosts the fruit and berry notes found in the aroma. This doesn’t have an over-the-top hoppiness to it and I am actually a bit surprised I don’t get more malt aromatics.

Quite light bodied for a Barleywine; almost a bit thin. Citrus hop flavors of candied orange zest, lightly sweetened tangerine juice as well as a touch of berry notes towards the middle. This seems to pick up a touch of oxidation flavors towards the finish; it is quite light, but seems to accentuate the berry flavors a bit as well as adding a touch of sherry. For a Barley Wine the malt character is surprisingly muted; I would expect lots of toasty grain and caramelized malt notes here, but these barely play a role in the flavor profile.

This has a surprisingly high alcohol content given how light the flavors are; it definitely hides the alcohol fairly well too. An interesting interpretation, I could definitely use more malt flavors and heft here. This comes off as being a nicely hopped, slightly big, Amber Ale. Not bad, but not overly exciting either.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

hazy orange brown beer under a small white head. yeasty, light fruit, toffee, floral aroma. flavors of light fruits(peach, apple, pear), yeast(dough, marshmallow), and spices(cinnamon maybe?) surprisingly light-medium bodied considering the abv. not bad. not great.

Dark copper color with a medium head. Sweet barley aroma and some yeast. Very grainy and sweet malt taste, which dies off oddly fast. Light on the yeast taste. Just fairly tame.

Bottle at In de Wildeman. Cloudy amber with a tan head. Fruity and grainy aroma and flavours- a bit sweet. Somewhat fizzy. Drinkable.

[Tasting at Scheffel.] Sunset look and slow white head. Notes of fruit ester, alcohol, some spices. Good hidden alcohol percentage.

Bottle from Cracked Kettle @ home, 9% ABV. Amber colour, white head. Aroma is fruity and alcoholic. Taste is soft, fruity, malty, nice alcohol bitterness, a bit spicy. Could have been more full-bodied I guess, but it’s nevertheless a nice strong ale.

330ml bottle (Cracked Kettle, Amsterdam) at 9%
Deep hazy orange, brief, slightly fizzy head. Sweet fruity estery aroma. Fairly lively and sharp carbonation in the mouth, but not harsh. Slightly acidic feel, but a sweet and very rich burnt malt taste. Spicy and vinous. Reasonable dark dry resiny hoppiness - accompanied by a little anaesthetic zing too. As I let it swirl around my tongue, there are some moldy notes to be found. Covers 9% very well, but clearly quite a potent brew.

sample thanks to FatPhil color: amber Scent; nice dried fruits Taste: sour dried fruits alcohol comes trough. Sharp tickling in the mouth, no hops shown