t Smisje Kerst

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

Bottle. Dark reddish with big brown crackly head that loudly settles into a thin bubbly layer. Nose is sweet, spicey, and loaded with estery undertones. Sweet fruit aromas, strawberries and apples with an almost peppery background. Sharpness on the palate opens followed by a smoother mouthfeel which allows more perception of the flavor, which is heavier on the spice than the fruit of the nose. Lots of coriander with a less distinct sweetness.

Cloudy muddy brown color with an rocky tan head. Spicey, (nutmeg & coiander), but states it has been brewed with grains of paradise (not sure what that actual taste is??) Regardless, this is spicey, strong and flavorful. Nice balance of brown sugar sweetness to round it off.

Pours murky dark brown / bronze with a good amount of carbonation and large pillowy tan head. The aroma has lots of biscuity caramel malt, coriander, smooth cream and vanilla. Medium / thin body with gentle semi-sharp carbonation. The flavor starts with lots of the spice, both coriander and grains of paradise, sourness and lots of sharpness. The finish is spicy, dry and a bit cardboardy. The aroma is significantly better than the taste.

Bottle from State Line. Aroma of sweet candy sugar with malt, a little bubblegum, and herbs. Spices and some nice phenols. Somewhere between orange, brown, and red with a lacing tan head. Light flashes of sweetness lurking under the malt, with light bitterness and fainter complimentary astringency; plummy/pruney, porty notes with yeast, dark fruit, molasses, coriander, and just a touch of alcohol toward the end (well-integrated, though). Medium-full body is slightly winey, rich and smooth. Herbal gingerbread notes and flowers with light warmth, excellent brew for the season [appropriate for rating no. 1225] and there’s NO WAY you’d guess this is 11%. Holy moly, really a pleasant surprise.

Bottled. Amber coloured. Unclear. Dense light brown head. Yeast, spice, fruits and alcohol in the aroma. Flavour of light liqourice, spice, sweetness, ripe fruits and light citrus. Yeast notable. Medium to full bodied. A bit dry. Sweet and fruits end with a citric touch. Is quite warming, but alcohol is well hidden.

Bottle at Københavnske øldage 07. Dark golden / brown colour with a beige head. Aroma is fruit, yeast, caramel. Flavour is fruit, yeast, caramel, alcohol, hop, dried fruit, spices. Nice beer .

Bottle at Københavnske Øldage. Unclear, almost brown body, and a beige head. Candi-sugar sweetness, spicyness, caramel and even more sugar in the aroma. The flavor is very sweet, with notes of tropical fruits and dried fruits, and some spices. Full, sweet body. Long sweetish finish with a spicy hint. Nice christmas beer. (070512)

Pours a slighty cloudy reddish brown with a big, fluffy off tan head. Smells mildy sweet, some dark fruits, berries, and candy sugar. The taste really finishes quick I noticed right away. A little bit sweet, very malty, some light touches of cinnamon and fruits. Decent, but I wish the finish were a bit longer. Aftertaste leaves a light sweetness on the lips, but nothing too exciting here.