Petrus Winterbier

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

Poured an amber to red-brown color with a very huge and pillowy head, just beautiful. The lacing was solid. The aroma was light fruity, althought not spicey (the Winter threw me off in expectations?). Yeast presence in the aroma and also in the flavor (which I generally enjoy). The flavor was odd, lots of grape and apple flavors in this amber colored beer, say what? I mean, I liked it, but this was a different spin on what I was expecting and am used to among the dark belgian ales. Took on a standard dry and hoppy Belgian ale type bitter finish. Sweetened as it warmed with a slight hop presence. Mouthfeel was creamy, highly carbonated. A neat concoction different, enjoyable.

Slightly sour aroma. About a half inch head over a beautiful amber body (halogen). A brown ale flavor. It’s a bit thin, but nice. Good flavor, but hard to pin down. Dates? Raisins? Very tasty. The sour cuts the malt. The finish is fruity but astringent. Got to love this.

Light brown-cranberry colored body, thin looking, yet cloudy, looking like either apple vinegar or watered down Coke. Head is nicely formed, off-white/buttery, foamy, large and leaves an outstanding lacing. Smell is lacking; skunky hops, sour acid (flemish sour?), anise round out the aroma. Taste is strong complex, yet thin on tongue. German hops, pennies, blood, iron, with roasted malt, anise, alcohol, and sour filling out the flavor. A little thin for my liking, but packs big-time flavor. Interesting, but not great.

Bottle gushed slightly after opening. Pours a clear copper orange with a big, foamy white head. Aroma of lightly biscuity caramel malt some light fruitiness and a touch of tartness. Body starts with a semi-sweet toasted Belgian maltiness balanced with a touch of earthy bitterness and some citric tartness toward the finish. Pretty thin and possibly infected, but otherwise has some good Belgian ale character.

33 cl bottle. Yeast at the bottom. Dark amber colour with a nice head. Aroma of cherry,sourness, old wood. Light smooth flavour of fruit and spices ends up little sour and very hig carbonated.

Orange amber, big head fades quickly. Musty aroma, hints of sour cherry, old barn. Restrained yet enticing. Cobwebs, dust, faint sour cherry, and corn cob are all in the flavor. Aftertaste is of dried wood and peach pits. Aroma beats the heck out of the actual flavor.

330 ml bottle from Stateline Liquors in Elkton, MD (April 2006), undated, served at cellar temperature in a La Chouffe tulip. An immense but quickly decaying frothy off-white head tops the dark copper, translucent (almost opaque) body.....dark thickly caramelized malts, molasses and tar burst forth in the heavy, heady aroma which on warming also shows perfume and delicate floral touches....the body is surprisingly dry, and somewhat sour, though underlying candy sweetness appears as swallowing occurs....there are unpleasant soapy textures along with the dry woodiness that finishes, moderate to low carbonation, and a somewhat spoiled nuttiness, cherry cough syrup.....a promising start, derailed ultimately though not devoid of interest.

Dark amber coloured, average off white head. Aroma of caramel, light fruity with some yeasty hints.Full palate, some caramel, light burned. Verry heavy finish, malty. Not bad.