De Proef Flemish Primitive

Brewed by De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Lochristi, Belgium

Pinhead label. Big rocky white head over a clear bright yellow unfogged body. The nose is sweet with light malt combining with what I think is a bit of slightly skunked Saaz hops. A bit of alcohol joins in the aroma to make a juicy sort of note. Kind of reminds me of Urthel Hop It. Creamy and chewy with a viscous mouthfeel, while still fairly lively and not overdone with the carbonation. Big sweet light malt. A bit of a cinnamon sort of spice, but really not a hint of dark malt, not that I miss it here. Herbal hops a lot like Urthel Hop It, a little skunk. A bit of Belgian fruity funk, but not much. A clean sweet alcoholic finish. Little Diacetyl. A lingering anise and herbal hop element. Not bad at all, I’d like to try it fresher... or maybe a less hopped recipe. 6-17-07 Bottled as Reinaert Flemish Wild ale. This was very similar to my previous experience, though the beer was much more like Orval or Duvel than the "pinhead" I had. The hops are more subdued and those peppery saaz are not skunked either. The head doesn’t seem as rocky, though the beer looks the same. The sweetness seems to have been taken in a bit with a spiceyness added. I like this a bit more, though it’s not as daring as the previous beer. I was bummed that this turned out to be another Flemish Primitive, but it’s a bit better, so oh well.

Tangerine yellow hue with with off white foamy head, not much lacing, not as sour as a typical flemish ale, lively carbonation, watery tecture, slightly bitter, fair carbionation, a little tart, not a fan of flemish ales but this is certain to make me want to try more.

An aroma that reminds me of a farm pasture. Flavor is a little sour, but not as sour as it might be. Cloudy beer, lots of yeast. I would like it better if it were even more sour.

750 ml bottle. Aromas from the bottle and glass are sour, perpetuating my expectations of a Flemish Ale, but this beer caught me off guard. It smelled like a Gueze but tasted like a Belgian Ale with a hint of Hefeweizen. The color is light amber. It pours a bubbly and active head. From the scent, I was expecting a tartness to the taste, but I received notes of wheat, grain, white grape, and cucumber with an aftermath of roast beef. Elusive body with thick, spontaneous lacing. Didn’t knock my socks off, but a very refreshing brew.

Another beer shared by brewfiend (it’ll take some work to top his cellar archives!) Pours a hazy golden brew with small particles floating. Aroma of sour fermented pitted fruit, some citrus and coriander. Taste is very carbonated, more fermented sour apples and a touch of spice. Finish is yeasty and sour with slight mint aftertaste.

A very nice and rather strong beer with some fruit taste. Tasted the Flemisch Primitive. Ad well spices as fruit in the the taste

Sour apple nose. Rich carbonated golden body with lots of head. Smells like a grassy field. Slightly sour body with a thick body.

This was called Reinaert Flemish Wild and wild doesn’t begin to accurately describe this. Never figured i’d say a beer tasted a little too "gamey", but this would be the perfect opportunity. I usually associate the Flemish ales with a sour flavor and seeing this had brettanomyces in it, I was expecting as much, but not the case. A completely unique flavor that I can’t put my finger on. Not really my favorite flavor, at that. But, still drinkable. Just really strange.