Grimbergen Optimo Bruno

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

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.

Gold brown colour with nice full head. Low character slightly metallic, faint hoppy-yeast aroma . Limited stimulation of back and sides of tongue, medium body and dry, slightly bitter finish. Nothing to write home about, a basic drinkable Belgian strong ale.

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.

Dark mahogany with little film head. Lightly sour with plums and berries in the aroma. Quite sweet and quite vinious with toffee flavours with tones of berries.

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

Bottle @ Lowlander Malty nose. Pours dark brown/red. Small head. Malty mouthfeel. Taste is hoppy and malty.

Light brown color. Smell and taste rather full of orange and alcohol with matl, caramel and sweetness. Good palate.

Bottle. Amber brown colour, off-white head. Aroma of dark fruits, brown sugar and malts. Flavour is very sweet, brown sugar and malts. Alcoholic finish.