t Smisje Kerst

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

UPDATED: SEP 20, 2008 Bottiglia da 33cl al Mulino a Villaromagnano; si versa nel bicchiere con buona schiuma candida ma il colore è piuttosto scuro, maron. Come il tinello di quella canzone di Paolo Conte ("abbiamo comprato un tinello maron"). L’aroma è sottile ma conquista con stramberie floreali e un particolare sentore di frutta fresca (nespole? nespole!! ma anche pesche e albicocca); il sapore all’inizio si deve decifrare un poco, soprattutto se è troppo fredda; ma col passare del tempo l’alcool lascia il passo ad una complessità quasi inaudita, non aggressiva ma carezzevole in mille modi diversi. La frutta prende il sopravvento ma veramente ci si possono sentire molte cose: minchia, ho bevuto ora un goccio di lievito che era rimasto e mi sembrava una cassata siciliana andata a male. Straordinaria. Rivotata dopo averla assaggiata di nuovo al Mulino, impressione ancora migliore della precedente.

Off white foamy full lasting head. Dark copper-ruby colour. Aroma is moderately malty, fruity (apricots,bananas), floral (roses), spicy (pepper) and a hint of caramel and alcohol. Flavor is moderately malty with fruity tones, ending in a slightly spicy and fruity finish. Medium to full bodied.

toasty brown color, like cinnamon toast or ginger bread, with a creamy, lush soft tan head. Aroma is lovely! vanilla, cream, & spice...eggnog?...swear to god, someone just asked me about eggnog beer the other day...this is as close as I’ve come, at least in aroma. bready malt, spice, ....yum. Scrumptious in the mouth....mmm! Reminds me of Anchor’s OSA, but smoother, perhaps, though it shouldn’t be, it’s 11% abv...whoop, there it is! Alcohol heat does creep into the taste, but the delicious malt and yeast really retain control, so it’s no burner. Gets more complex, hops shine higher, but this specia spicy, creamy yeasty thing just spreads the flavor over and over. I’m liking it. Yay, Regenboog!

Bottle. Reddish brown pour with thick off-white head. Aroma of plums, sweet malt, candy sugar, and some spices. Sweet malt flavor with yeast, spice and alcohol warming.

Hazy amber with tiny head. Aroma is sweet with ripe fruits and malt. Sweet alcoholic flavor with prunes and yeast. A bit unbalanced with alcohol too present.

11.2 oz bottle purchased at John’s Grocery in Iowa City, IA. Poured a slightly hazy orange-amber color. Head was thick and light tan with good retention and lacing. Smelled of malty caramel, vanilla cake batter, and coriander. There was only a whiff of alcohol. Delicately sweet and mildly tart all at once. Very fruity flavor with pineapple, orange, and even a splash of grapefruit juice. The fruit was balanced nicely by malty caramel, spices, and alcohol.

Murky orange pulp body, medium clumping cream head with nice lacing. Nose of sweet, sticky, fermented fruits, spice, and abundant sugars. The alcohol heat is also prominent. Tart, sweet body, spicy (including coriander), with pineapple, pear, and other fermented light fruits, alcohol, and toast. Good complexity and pleasant to drink despite the heat.

Bottle. Creamy off-white excellent fully lasting head. Amber colour. Moderate malty and heavy hoppy aroma. Very powerfull bitter complex flavor. Long heavy bitter finish. Creamy palate but a little too fizzy.