Grimbergen Optimo Bruno

Brewed by Brasserie Union (Alken-Maes / Heineken)
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Jumet, Belgium

Pours a deep, but clear, copper hue with a large, foamy, off-white head. Initial aroma is redolent of pecan pie, with walnut-like sourness. Further inspection reveals a touch of tannic sharpness that seems just out of place. Raisins, dates and red grapes follow behind the more powerful aromas. Some grassy to dank floral elements appear as the beer warms. I like most of the aroma, but there’s something disturbingly sharp and artificial that shouldn’t be present as well as a waxy cheese-rind aroma in the background. There’s also a bit of alcohol in the nose, but not too much. The flavour begins very sweet with a touch of acidity for balance. Lots of caramel type flavours are present along with darker, dried fruits. The finish is also very sweet, again with some acidity, and just a little bit of bitterness. Medium bodied (quite surprisingly) with an oily texture and lively, fine carbonation. This one just misses Kasteelbier Donker dessert beer territory, which wouldn’t have been a bad achievement in my opinion. 33cl bottle, Duvel tulip, bbe 09/05/08.

copper with small head. sour and hoppy with some sweetness especially in the finish. good brune.

Dark, redish brown with a small off-white head. Malty and sour tones. Hoppy and malty taste. Full body with a sweet & sour finish.

Ruby-red colour, white head. Aroma: a complexity of red fruits. Flavours of red wine, red fruits. A bit sour, but also a typical grimbergen sweetness. Alcohol well hidden. Nice beer.

Bottle: pours amber with a tiny beige head. Weak nose of malt and raisins. Very sweet flavour with malt and caramel. Sweet and slightly bitter finish. Full bodied. Some dessert beer, or what?

Amber/brown colored brew. Sweet cherry, wine like aroma. Acidic, wine-like flavor. Sweet and fruity. Brown sugar. Could use some more thick body. Overall interesting.

(33cl bottle, via DerDoppelbock) Slightly hazy, mahogany colour with a creamy, slightly tanned layer. Sweet fruit-accented (plums, dried berries) aroma with light toasty and slightly acidic vinous notes, accompanied with a touch of alcohol. Sweet, sugary flavour, full bodied with medium to lively carbonation. Malty and fruity taste with a vinous and a light spicy note; sweet malty and balanced fruity finish with a quite well-integrated alcohol according to the high abv. Not very complex but pleasant to drink.

Bottled at Belgobaren, STockholm. Clear nut brown, brief head. Raisiny malty nose with some peppery alcohol. Sweet and vinous, with slimmer body than expected for a 10% beer. Somewhat fruity with light almondy notes. Salty finish with a touch of spicy bitterness. Interesting nose, but I’d like more character in a beer of this size.