t Smisje Grande Reserva

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

Pours a hazy dark amber color with a thin even layer of off-white head. Nice chalky floral Belgian yeasty aroma along with some alcohol. The taste has some edge due to the 11%, but has some dark fruits and Belgian twang to add to the slight burn. Pretty interesting, I see getting this again.

Bottle from Buffalohead. Clear orange/amber pour, medium off white head. Very smoky aroma, hints of oak and dark fruit. Medium body, slightly sticky palate, medium carbonation. There’s some harshness in the flavor from the oak, fruity sweetness up front and a little spicy bitterness at the finish.

Bottle. Pours a hazy, deep, burnt orange amber to sienna brown tint. A head of beige colored foam settles in to a thin blanket with pronounced, ramped-up edges. Heavy, horizontal patches of lace resemble caterpillars, complete with drippy legs that extend down towards the body below. The aroma starts out with dark candy sugar comprising the malt base, with notes of caramel, dates, and stewed golden raisins lending sweet, fruity complexity. From there, things turn a bit more bold, as notes of smoky scotch whiskey, charred oak, and rich vanilla infuse decadent, masculine scents. One whiff and you can tell this one is a slow sipper, and the first taste confirms that hypothesis. Flavors of scorched caramel, figs, dates, and nuts prove sweet yet earthy, while the charred barrel offers up smooth, potent whiskey and vanilla. There’s certainly a smoky element to this that just works perfectly with the malt profile. Initially a bit prickly, some time in the glass benefits the palate, softening it up a bit. It’s big, but not overly hot, and it drinks smooth for such a huge brew. This is a notable improvement over and already impressive base beer. I’ve been chasing this one for a good while, and the payoff was worth the wait.

This copper ale poured with afoamy beige head that bubbled away in a few minutes. There is a fruit and spice aroma that is quite intense. The flavor is sweet malt with various spices and a smoky whiskey trail. This brew was well designed in regard to spicing and aging. Very complex and tasty.

Murky brown pour with a creamy head. Attractive pour. Inviting. Hints of smoke, vanilla, oak, and brown sugar. Smoke really asserts itself in the flavor. A very unique brew and another really good effort from these guys. I really enjoyed this thoroughly.

Draft - Max’s Belgian Beer Fest. dark copper, creamy white head. Soft brown sugared oak and dark fruit aromas ride swirls of smoke and vanilla bean. Intense smoked plum and raisin flavors round to a peppery oaken boozy finish. Full bodied with soft carbonation. Quite complex throughout and very tasty...

Bottle from Monument in Concord, CA. Ruby amber color with a frothy beige head. Aromas of caramel and light stone fruits with citrus/coriander. Medium body with fizzy carbonation. The flavor moves quickly from caramel to whisky (not bourbon?) and oak. Spice is present. Also heat, but it’s rather soft. Turns a bit peppery. Finishes rather dry. So there’s quite a few changes as consumption progresses. Good thing this tasty stuff comes in small bottles!

11.2 oz stubby. Clear golden brown with a big off white head - filled half the glass, then, as loose and fizzy as it was, got rocky. Strange. Sweet fruit nose, a bit dusty, a bit of earth and toasty biscuit. Initial smack of woody whiskey flavor (didn’t get that in the aroma) then earth and caramel. The GoP flavor is pretty strong and spicy, plus some seltzer late. Comes off dry and a bit fizzy. Odd beer, I tried to like more, but somehow couldn’t.