Grimbergen Optimo Bruno

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

I have been a fan of Grimbergen since I sampled my first double so many years ago, and I still seek them out when possible. A pretty cherry red to almost copper as it sets in the glass, the head modest in size, frothy in its consistency, and the color off white, but it does evanesce quite quickly leaving a very thin veil of lace. Nose is a bit vinous, tart and crisp, the malts play a big role. Start is quite tart, lots of malt, the top is middling in feel, with the finish bitingly acidic, the hops are perky in their spicy bite. Dry long lasting aftertaste and a decent beer, not a great beer, but well worth the sample and the 10% ABV does warm the “tummy” if not the cockles of your heart.

Fruity aroma. Sour cherry, apple cider, grape juice - reminiscent of a Flemish sour ale. Brownish-cranberry clear with off-white lacing head. Medium body with soft carbonation. Starts rather sweet, considering the tang of the aroma. Light malts, Belgian profile, warming. Some raisin, plum, and cider. Little musk. Finish and after are sweet, almost cloying. Not much bitter to counteract.

Caramelly nose with alcohol - interesting; clear ruby red coor and almost no head. Sweet maltiness of light brown sugar. Some spiciness. Like a sherry at times. Thickish and syrupy. Too thick? Too sweet?

Smells like bubblegum a mixture of cherry, peaches and caramel. Amber red, no head. Soft carbonation. Peppery taste, grapes, peaches are lightly coming through too. Syrupy, long spicey aftertaste. Interesting and complex.

Vintage 2004, 33cl bottle. Amber color. Aroma of the Wizard of Oz poppy field. Heavenly, raisiny. Wow. Fermented Goodness. Closely resembles a Quad.

Bottled. Clear, cherry-wood colour with a large white head. Viscous consistency. Sweet, nutty, dry aroma. Marty D, says it smells like smoked bacon. Some vinous qualities in there as well. Heavy hitter though and quite a beer to take on at the end of the evening.

330 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 10%. Copper coloured beer with a big and lasting beige head. Nice aroma of malts, caramel, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. The flavour is malty sweet with some unwanted metallic sidenotes, also notes of caramel and brown sugar, hints of spices, moderate hops in the finish. Alcohol is noticeable throughout. Not in the league of the trappists this one.

Dark color, fine creamy head. A fine malt in the aroma, but the flavor is to bitter compared to the fine malt from the aroma