Brigand Xmas

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ingelmunster, Belgium

1 year matured. Hazy golden ale with a thick white head. A pleasant grassy aroma, with light Brettanomyces notes, biscuitty. In mouth, light sweet malt with an interesting catty hop, a bit resinous, with a well balanced body. A good and interesting find, recommended by JorisP. Enjoyed on tap at Kulminator, Nov. 2006, with Joris and Carlos.

On tap @ Café Gollem, last winter. Tastes almost the same as the normal Brigand, with addition of a few spices and a bit of extra sourness. No improvement of the regular Brigand, still very nice.

Bottle at Loosje. Orange colour. Orange flavour, some citrus. Tangy even. Good mouthfeel and texture. Smooth. Nice.

Draught as Brigand Kerstbier. Semi-sweet, semi-malty flavour. Finishes with a sour bitterness. Almost clear amber colour. Nice and creamy, stable white head.

A Sim rate (Draught at the Kulminator): Very sweet hoppy aroma and slightly citric. Flavour very similar with evident hops and citric notes. Finish is lingeringly alcoholic.

Draught at The White Horse on Parsons Green (London), a light copper colour with a large foamy white head. A sweet, smokey malt aroma. Grainy malt and yeast ether flavours on a full mouthfell. Very nice I thought.

Big shiny offwhite head. Deep yellow body with light carbonation. Light fruity aroma with soft hop notes. Taste is light, soft tropical fruit with notes of bread. Aftertaste is dry soft metal and fruit. Nice and very drinkable, but perhaps a bit sharp. (0.4l draft at Kulminator.)

On tap, Kulminator Antwerp, 09-02-’07. Rather refreshing and fruity beer, not at all what i suspected of this kind of beer. Very spicy and la chouffe like, fairly complex and easily drinkable, without noticing the EtOH too much. Nice one!