Petrus Winterbier

Brewed by Bavik-De Brabandere
Style: Belgian Ale
Harelbeke, Belgium

The aroma is complex with malt, citrus, raisins, plums, vegetables, and vinegar. The appearance is deep amber (red) with a large foamy head. The flavor is complex like the aroma with the front end being bitter and citrusy and the finish being malty and fruity with a slight but noticeable metallic element. The plate is thin enough to be disappointing as soon as it hits your mouth with only the massive amount of carbonation saving it. This has a real grab bag quality to it. It’s got some good and some bad elements that seem to delight and disappoint all at the same time. None the less this is one of those rare beers that bridge the gap between drinkable and impressive.

Bottle at Hörnan, Stockholm. Amber color/offwhite head. Quite discreet aroma. Fruity, malty flavor. Quite mild anf not the most exciting xmas-beer...

From bottle. Pours a murky orange with tan, foamy head. Nose is sharp citrus fruits and lightly spiced alcohol. Flavor is MIA. Highly carbonated and a slight bitter aftertaste.

11.2 oz bottle with gputty. Hazy amber with a foamy tan head. Sweet, fruity tripel-like nose and flavor, a bit too sweet.

Bottle. Deep red amber with a creamy offwhite head. Aroma of berries and grass, maybe a hint of wet cardboard. Fruity, with somewhat harsh metallic bitterness. Rather too sweet. Good carbonation. A disappointment.

Bottled 25cl (BB 04/2007). Hazy light ruby red, hugh cloudy off-white head. A bit metallic and berry sweet aroma, like Grandma’s currant juice. Quite thin fruity palate, a bit foamy. Some hops in the finish. A bit too simple to blow your mind and not really a winter beer.

Bottle (dated 12/09/05) from the Bier Market. Poured a lovely deep walnut brown with a tan head that was tall and strong. Not much lacing to speak of but who knows how clean the glass was... Wonderful roasty aroma hits the nose like a nice mulled wine. Full round mouth feel and just the right mix of spice and roasted coffee. A bit like drinking molassas but far less sticky. Warms the belly with just the faintest hint of an unpleasant aftertaste. I wouldn’t want to have more than two of these at any one time I’m sure. Otherwise thouroughly enjoyable!

Bottled. Dark amber colour with red hints, huge fluffy, longlasting off-white head. Aroma of fruits, spices and yeast. Flavour is spicy, malty, caramellish and almost acidic citrusfruit in finish and aftertaste. Some alcohol noteable, but not disturbingly. Wellbalanced, and smooth palate.