Grimbergen Optimo Bruno

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

Brown bottle, 33 cl, best before 24-04-08, via Imporations Privées Bièropholie, savoured on February 8 2008; eye: amber with a reddish hue, clear, slight effervescence, creamy beige head that remains, lots of lacing; nose: somehow reminiscent of a sour ale, light malt, light candied fruits; mouth: malt, licorice, small berries, splash of caramel, slight hops, a bit of maple water, finale in light malt with a sour side to it, lightly sweet, slight bitterness, medium body, a bit thin, not much carbonation; overall: disappointing FRANÇAIS Bouteille brune, 33 cl, meilleure avant 24-04-08, via Imporations Privées Bièropholie, savourée le 8 février 2008; œil : ambrée avec des teintes rougeâtres, claire, légère effervescence, mousse beige crémeuse qui perdure, beaucoup de dentelle; nez : relents de « brune des Flandres », léger malt, léger fruits confits; bouche : malt, réglisse, petits fruits, filet de caramel, très léger houblon, un peu d’eau d’érable, finale en malt léger avec un p’tit côté surette, légèrement sucrée, très légèrement amère, corps moyen, texture un peu mince, peu carbonatée; en résumé : désappointant

The bottle looks really good, the beer in the glass also. Very dark, zippy, not much foam. Flavor very strong, sweet and malty. Very good beer.

Strong aroma with a strong bitter foam. Dark brown colour. Strong sweet flavor with licorice notes and a good palate. Some notes of alcohol in the end (but nothing too important).

Brown with tiny off white head. Sweet flavor with prunes and raisins. Very sweet malty flavor with notes of yeast, prunes, raisins and caramel. Far to sweet for my taste. Saving the rest for aging....

Very dark amber and a nice golden head. The aroma is malty with notes of hops, citrus and a bit of alcohol. The flavour is very voluminous and powerful. First of all it’s sweet, but it also has notes of ripe stone fruits, roasted malt, candy sugar, a bit of alcohol and a touch of citrus. The bitterness is moderate, but OK. The grapefruit acidity, that I find in the Grimbergens is a minus in my mouth, so the rating is lower as it could have been for this otherwise nice beer.

A Mes rate: 33cl bottle from Ramsgate Harbour Bar.
Mid amber brown with a good off white head. Brown sugar, some soy, light balsamic note and tangy brown sauce. Bitter sweet finish. Not amazing. Too much brown sauce for me.

Brun øl. Duft af meget karamel og metal og belgisk gær, Smag er slet ikke som alm. Brune. Denne er meget tungere og sprittet, og er svær fremkommelig.Syrlig smag. Stærk alcohol.

Bottle. Dark brown colour with a nice beige head. Aroma and flavour of caramel, fruit, hops and alcohol.