Grottenbier Flemish Ale

Brewed by St. Bernard Brouwerij
Style: Belgian Ale
Watou, Belgium

Pours a crystal clear rich macro yellow. The saving grave is the towering rocky white head, subsiding at an average clip. The nose is full of banana-y esters and other nondescript fruit. Creamy. Slight alcohol. A light malt sweetness, though relatively dry. A little thin, but the carbonation is well restrained and this isn’t watery. A lightly candy sweetness with some fruity elements, but a very dry beer in terms of feel. Slightly herbal to peppery hops, definitely rather forward for a Belgian style. A tartness, not uncommon to Belgians. Refreshing. An acidic fruity finish with more hops bitterness and some tarter flavors in the aftertaste.

A dark gold color and a very tall and thick white head. Aroma has sweet malt and Belgian yeast, just a little fermenting fruit. Flavor is sweet with more fruit. Not quite as good as the other Grottenbier, but still nice.

Thanks to KAggie97 for sharing this at the DFH tasting at Flying Saucer (Houston). Great color with huge head. Mostly remember winter spices, light alcohol and a warming finish.

Tall bottle shared at JK’s Spring Gathering. Popped that cork and poured a clean golden hue with a thick white head and nice lace. Aromas of sugar rock candy, apricot, nutmeg, basement cellar yeast and a touch of flowery and spiced hops. Taste of sweet and fruity citrus, light and spicy barley malt, and that old musty yeast. Finish is dry and a little chalky. An average dumb blonde.

In the bottle at the 2007 Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival in Vail. Pours cloudy orange-gold with a bountious white head that encases the glass as it subsides. Yeasty citrus and banana aroma. Has a hay-barn straw and malty flavor bolus. Apple fruity and oaky in the finish. Fairly effervescent and clean finish.

Bottle. Pale amber beer with a huge cream coloed head. Malty, earthy, oaky aroma with floral tones. Sweet malt flavor with floral/grass and lots of breadiness. Bready/slight caramel malt lingers. Medium, slightly fuller body. High carbonation. Nice velvety mouthfeel.

Bottle: Dirty straw, at least near the end of the bottle, otherwise pale straw, large sudsy off-white head, fairly nice lacing.   Soft floral nose, slight herbalness, a touch of mustiness.   Pale in general, with a soft spicy tongue.   Moderate breadiness, heavier than expected.   Sorta like a beefed up Belgian Blonde.   Moderate to full body, average mouthfeel.   Lackluster finish, fairly clean tho.   Could stand to be a bit more spiced on the finish.   Fairly good, just falls flat at the end as compared to the nose and the start of the beer.   Still enjoyable tho!

TONS of sediment which was a real drag b/c I had to pour out so much of the beer. I just don’t like to drink it. On the other hand the lacing was perfect. A good very drinkable ale that has a bit of a tart apple taste. Makes a nice light Belgian to drink when the weather is heating up but I won’t be buying another bottle b/c of the sediment issue.