Very hoppy aroma, very spiced. The actual taste is surprisingly sharp with a very rich hop-content for a belgian to be… Very spicy. Both texture- and bodywise, it does reflect a typhical belgian to a greater extent. With it’s powerful 115 IBU, this is a pecculiar one, which also carries that joyful element of surprise.
Chimay «Peres Trappistes» (9%) 4/6
With a colour as dark that one can’t see through, one expects some heavy business… And it sure is. But especcially in the way, that the sharp taste of alcohol eventually shines through- Because it is draped in a great veil of sweetness and a taste similar to a weissbier (a dunkel one) with grand carbonization. Surprising in the way it takes turns, not in a negative way. As a matter of fact quite tasty for being as sharp as it is.
Brasserie de ‘Achouffe «N’ice Chouffe» (10%) 4/6
The nose is full of exiting spices, assocciations to holiday and very suitable during wintertimes. Starts with a fresh intro which quite suddenly evolves into a great sense of matureity. Enormous degree of complexity, heavily spiced, fullbodied with super malttastes and bitter ending.Leffe «Brun» (6,5%) 3/6
Subtle sweet aroma. Refreshing at first, intense carbonization. Broad and nutty body is provided by the malts. Hint of bitterness at the end, combined with sweetness.
Brouwerij St. Bernardus «Abt 12» (10%) 6/6
The smell of figs. Also features of leather and caramel. Midway through, there is a sharp sting with butter-like hint underneath. The colour is a very nice dark brown and carbonization absolutely splendid. A very mature belgian, quite unlike anything I’ve been familiar with up until now. Spices and nuts also becomes visible before the bitterness sets in. I picture this beer to go very well with a cheese, such as Manchego.
Huyghe brewery «»Belgian Tripel beer» (8,5%). 5/6
The smell can best be described as powerful; Fruity and fresh. With it’s golden/light brown colour it’s visually highly inviting. Tastewise, it also clearly opens in a very fresh sense before the interesting combination of spices takes over, followed by a delicious and beautiful sweet closure. Astonishing and astounding example of a great typical high quality belgian beer. Amongst the fruit tastes one can find herein, is peach and apricot.Liefmans Brouwerij «Fruitesse» (4,2%) 3/6
Judging by the colour, this looks more like a drink/sodapop than beer, with it’s glossy red looks. Add to that, that it is recommended served with ice, the expectations are -mildly put- close to none… The aroma is easily defined, very sweet, but a hint of acidity. At the 1st sip, it’s refreshing- especcially because Of it being so chilled in temperature. It tastes first and foremost very sweet berries; Cherries, strawberry and raspberries. However, the cool thing about this beer, is that it’s borderline but not to the extent that it becomes artificial. Sure, by the smell, but from the 2nd sip, it seems somehow more natural-tasting, which was unexpected at first.
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint Remy «Trappistes Roquefort 10» (5/6)
Deep roasted malts with hints of caramel. Dark brown in colour with a beautifully perfect head. It reveals itself gradually, starting off with a quick fresh intro (even though the texture is quite light, it’s very powerful for the tastebuds) which evolves into roasted walnuts and sweetness- the malts herein are making this as significant as it is. After this, it goes into an interesting, mature bitterness, all topped with a dry finish.
Anthony Martin «Diabolici» (8%) 4/6
Smells rather nice, and great in terms of colour. Nice degree of freshness and an all-in- all good taste experience, sharp and pointy and at the same time sweet- all in one. Another good belgian, this one.
Chimay «Peres Trappistes Grand Reserva» (9%) 4/6
Now we’re talking belgian style! Quite dark for a Trappist to be, but well tasting. Almost like an angry Weissbier with a nice fruity, rounded body but slightly bitter- somehow this feels more balanced than the 0,33 cl version of the blue Chimay.