t Smisje Calva Reserva

Brewed by Brouwerij De Regenboog
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Assebroek-Brugge, Belgium

Amber color with a whispy head. Compex aromas of wood, alcohol, apple, and carmel malts. Quite subtle. Slightly sweet, with notes of apple and pepper underneath a whole lot of warming alcohol. Finishes warm and sweet. I think a little age would help here.

Beautiful beer to behold. Rich warming mouthfeel. Big dark fruit and candy nose. Some spice and pepper to balance out. Mild earthy hop presence. Madeira and brandy notes with some wood induced vanilla. Liqourice and mocha finish with a very clean warming aspect.

Rich and dark fruits are immediately apparent. Vinous and slightly sour, caskwood comes next. Caramel, baker’s chocolate, anise and alcohol are also present. Yeast aroma of damp hard wood forest. Murky red-brown color with a rich hue. Great looking frothy, tan head. Heavily sweet, moderately acidic flavor becomes a moderately sweet, moderately acidic, lightly bitter finish. Medium full body, creamy/slick texture, lively carbonation. The bottom line is: Interestingly sweet and sour with alcohol well hidden in the taste. I like the uniqueness here.

Bottle. Pours clouded ruby tinged brown with a medium tan head. Nose is very sweet with caramel covered apple, light cinnamon, candy sugar, brown sugar and light yeast. Taste is fruit covered with caramel and brown sugar. Light spices and yeast flourishing in the muddy concoction along with light floral notes and creamy malts. Exquisite taste! Body is smooth but thin in parts with mild carbonation feel and only the nuisance alcohol warmth coming through. More spice and caramel during the finish along with alcohol and fruits. Nice beer!

Murky brown appearance with some residue. No head or lacing. Sweet, fruity aroma dominated by apples. Spicy taste with a tart fruit flavor. Medium-to-full bodied with little carbonation. Long lasting, sweet malt finish.

Bottle conditioned, at Essen Kerstbierfestival 2004. Quite bready in the nose with some spiciness and a touch of alcohol. Tangy fruit cake, slight spiciness and some sherry layered over a base of malt in the mouth. Sweet and spicy finish with hints of alcohol and sherry butts.

Poured a hazy brownish orange with a medium sized quickly dissolving off white head. Aromas of apples, dust, alcohol, and spice. Flavor...hmmm..when it just about to start it is gone. Dry and pulling at the mouth with a woody, spicey, alcoholic finish. The quckly disappearing flavor has some sweet dried fruit and brandy. Very warming. Kind of thin.

Wicked drink. This starts out deceptively, an ugly dried date color with a frizzy off-white head. It’s got a real faint sweet malt aroma with a dash of baking spices added. But the taste - - - It’s like drinking a carbonated brandy. Still plenty of malts, some spiciness, some woodiness, some dark fruitiness, a touch of hop bitterness. Dry, warm alcohol finish. I like this brewery.