t Smisje Blond

Formerly brewed at Brouwerij De Regenboog
Style: Belgian Ale
Assebroek-Brugge, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Bottle, at ’t Brugs Beertje, Brugge, March 2006 Faintly hazy gold, good white head and moderate condition. Pleasant mix of grain, hop and spices in the nose with a background fruity citrus note, good perfumed fruitiness and quite hoppy in the mouth with some yeasty sweetness that continues into the finish where a hop bitterness and a fruity citrus edge also contribute.

Pours a hazy, light yellow-gold with a medium, foamy white head. Minimal, spotty lacing. The aroma shows a bevy of floral notes, including a hefty dose of citrus blossoms. Pale malts and a drop of honey round out the soft, fruity nose. The flavor is similar. Softened citrus notes meld well with a light floral hoppiness and mild spices. Palate is on the watery side, though it works well with this style. Very light and refreshing. A good summertime alternative.

Clear yellow gold color with a healthy white head. There was a lot of yeast in the bottom of the bottle. Citrus, malt and medicine in the nose. A lot of phenolics, a ton of cardboard and malt in flavor. Weird - maybe pretty old.

This beer is weird, sure, but quite good. I consider it’s current rating (3.05) criminally low. It’s got this really strong, funky yeast flavor that sets it apart from...everything.

Pours a cloudy golden amber. Nose is yeasty a bit with an almost antiseptic harsh edge. Flavor is weak and uninteresting. Starts off like there could be some body, but then the lime blossoms kick in and it takes on a bitter almost citric edge and then quickly disappears. Potential, but just no delivery. Feel is thin and bordering on watery, though there is a pretty decent level of bubble there. Drinkable. Yes. But only because it is so light and lacks any really harsh negative qualities. If you are reading this in order to decide on whether to try it or not, just pass.

Bottle. Aroma was very floral with a hint of sweetness and spicy yeast. Pours a muddy dark gold with a thin white head. I like the Smisje beers, but they don’t look very attractive in the glass. The flavor consisted of some dry yeast, freshly cut grass and wildflower bouquet. Very pretty and subtle. Creamy on the palate with lively carbonation. Not sure why this one gets rated so poorly.

Effervescent pour with cascading head head that lingers. The nose was fruity/yeasty...mainly pear-like. The cider-type flavors favored apples, citrus and pears with a mild alcohol bite in the finish. Very carbonated and spritzy on the palate. Some tart/sour notes are interwoven here and there. Just OK.

Date: 04/02/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Brewfest, Athens

hazy yellow, thin frothy head, light tart aroma, thin body, light tart malt aroma, light bitterness, interesting but just too simple and light
-------- /> Date: 08/27/2006
Source: tasting

a touch of tartness in the flavor, but still too simple

Aroma: 4/10; Appearance: 4/10; Flavor: 3/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 5/20
Rating: 1.7/5.0
Drinkability: 5/10
Score: 4