13th Century Grut Bier
Professor Fritz Briem
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Scottish Gruit / Ancient Herbed Ale
Ranked #10 - ABV:
- 4.6%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #14,521 - Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 15.38%
- Reviews:
- 169
- Ratings:
- From:
- Professor Fritz Briem
- Germany
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 48
- Gots
- 14
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
Created by Dr. Fritz Briem of Doemens Institute ( http://www.doemens.org ), brewed by Weihenstephan & Doemens.
Reviews: 169
| Ratings: 303
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3.72/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The pour looks similar to lemonade in the wheat beer glass, it has a meager amount of sediment. The taste is sour & herbal. Oh well, at least now I can say that I've tried a Scottish Gruit Ale. There is no date on the bottle. Cheers! B
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The pour looks similar to lemonade in the wheat beer glass, it has a meager amount of sediment. The taste is sour & herbal. Oh well, at least now I can say that I've tried a Scottish Gruit Ale. There is no date on the bottle. Cheers! B
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3.96/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a translucent golden-yellow with a finger of white foam. While head retention is not good, there is a ring of foam that lingers a long while. Aroma is spices - cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, parsley, and coriander. Beyond this is just a touch of young bread yeast and a little bready malt. Focus is really on the spices. Flavor profile is parsley, coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon and onion. Spices are less supported in the flavor profile than the aroma, with the back-end drifting apart. Mouth feel is thin with a watery, very-fine carbonation texture. Overall, seems par for the course for a Grut style ale, with spices coming to the forefront and absolutely dominating each whiff and sip.
Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 500mL bottle.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a translucent golden-yellow with a finger of white foam. While head retention is not good, there is a ring of foam that lingers a long while. Aroma is spices - cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, parsley, and coriander. Beyond this is just a touch of young bread yeast and a little bready malt. Focus is really on the spices. Flavor profile is parsley, coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon and onion. Spices are less supported in the flavor profile than the aroma, with the back-end drifting apart. Mouth feel is thin with a watery, very-fine carbonation texture. Overall, seems par for the course for a Grut style ale, with spices coming to the forefront and absolutely dominating each whiff and sip.
Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 500mL bottle.
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3.75/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a thick cloudy ochre (deep gold) producing a rapidly diminishing, off-white head that leaves no lacing. Aroma is ginger ale & A-1 Steak Sauce (I kid you not), sage, mint, lemon & dry grass. Taste is tart, hay/dried grass & weeds, ginger, lemon, sage, wet oak leaves when raked in the fall, mineral & medicinal notes as well as other miscellany I can't pin down. Dry, tart, herb/grass finish with an astringent, weak, rapidly fading lemonade aftertaste. This thing is a wild medley of herby ginger ale, lemonade, marinated in mown meadow vegetation with a dash of A-1! A complex herbal blend, this has the most character of any Gruit I've tried to date. Its one of those things you either like or hate but don't fall in love with. Gruits offer a nice experience but I can't see them becoming anyone's standard brew style. But who knows in today's world there's some of everything to be found when it comes to taste.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a thick cloudy ochre (deep gold) producing a rapidly diminishing, off-white head that leaves no lacing. Aroma is ginger ale & A-1 Steak Sauce (I kid you not), sage, mint, lemon & dry grass. Taste is tart, hay/dried grass & weeds, ginger, lemon, sage, wet oak leaves when raked in the fall, mineral & medicinal notes as well as other miscellany I can't pin down. Dry, tart, herb/grass finish with an astringent, weak, rapidly fading lemonade aftertaste. This thing is a wild medley of herby ginger ale, lemonade, marinated in mown meadow vegetation with a dash of A-1! A complex herbal blend, this has the most character of any Gruit I've tried to date. Its one of those things you either like or hate but don't fall in love with. Gruits offer a nice experience but I can't see them becoming anyone's standard brew style. But who knows in today's world there's some of everything to be found when it comes to taste.
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4.5/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A beautiful beer in all aspects. Complex herbal bouquet - slightly perfumed and floral, smelling like spring, laurel & bay, rosemary and lemon balm. Flavor adds a mentholated winter green brightness, slight ginger bight, rustic wildness of sage. Slightly mossy and forest edge. Effervescent but not sharp; rounded and soft. All this makes the beer sound incredibly odd. The real accomplishment here is that it's not; its uniqueness is intriguing rather than in your face and challenging. To American palates unaccustomed to herbal drinks, only familiar with herbs as something in your occasional cough drop or medicine, sure; I can see how they may struggle to wrap their minds around this. But for anyone with a modicum of culinary sophistication, this is astounding.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A beautiful beer in all aspects. Complex herbal bouquet - slightly perfumed and floral, smelling like spring, laurel & bay, rosemary and lemon balm. Flavor adds a mentholated winter green brightness, slight ginger bight, rustic wildness of sage. Slightly mossy and forest edge. Effervescent but not sharp; rounded and soft. All this makes the beer sound incredibly odd. The real accomplishment here is that it's not; its uniqueness is intriguing rather than in your face and challenging. To American palates unaccustomed to herbal drinks, only familiar with herbs as something in your occasional cough drop or medicine, sure; I can see how they may struggle to wrap their minds around this. But for anyone with a modicum of culinary sophistication, this is astounding.
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3.5/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear golden pour with a white one-finger head. Very herbal aroma with a hint of honey and ginger. Taste has ginger upfront backed by tea leaf, straw and light lemon flavors. Anise and mint also stand out.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear golden pour with a white one-finger head. Very herbal aroma with a hint of honey and ginger. Taste has ginger upfront backed by tea leaf, straw and light lemon flavors. Anise and mint also stand out.
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4.07/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
From a 500 ml bottle to a nonic glass.
A-The beer is clear, but I managed to let a few chunky floaties from the bottom of the bottle into my glass. Color is light yellowish golden; lager like. The head is short and white, and fades quickly. No lacing.
S-The aroma is very herbal with bay leaves and ginger being quite prominent. I also sniff some light pine (although the beer isn't bitter, per se) and caraway, as well as a bit of anise. There is a little bit of lemon-lime citrus tartness in there. Interesting and pretty appealing smell.
T-The taste, like the smell is very herbal with a lot of ginger. There is less bay leaf though, and the overall impression is more like herbal tea. Other flavors include juniper and pine, as well as some anise that gets stronger as the beer warms. A little bready-honey sweetness gives the beer some body against the herbs.
M-The feel is medium to light in heft with a nice, smooth, semi-creamy finish.
O-I wasn't sure what to expect with this beer, but it turned out interesting and drinkable. I don't know that I would pound this all afternoon, but with the right food, I could see this pairing really well.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
From a 500 ml bottle to a nonic glass.
A-The beer is clear, but I managed to let a few chunky floaties from the bottom of the bottle into my glass. Color is light yellowish golden; lager like. The head is short and white, and fades quickly. No lacing.
S-The aroma is very herbal with bay leaves and ginger being quite prominent. I also sniff some light pine (although the beer isn't bitter, per se) and caraway, as well as a bit of anise. There is a little bit of lemon-lime citrus tartness in there. Interesting and pretty appealing smell.
T-The taste, like the smell is very herbal with a lot of ginger. There is less bay leaf though, and the overall impression is more like herbal tea. Other flavors include juniper and pine, as well as some anise that gets stronger as the beer warms. A little bready-honey sweetness gives the beer some body against the herbs.
M-The feel is medium to light in heft with a nice, smooth, semi-creamy finish.
O-I wasn't sure what to expect with this beer, but it turned out interesting and drinkable. I don't know that I would pound this all afternoon, but with the right food, I could see this pairing really well.
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3.51/5 rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
500mL bottle poured into a mug.
A gentle pour creates a quarter finger of foamy, pale white head. Slight haziness dulls the golden body a bit and obscures the steady carbonation. 4
Such a strong herbal aroma emanates from this beer. It's clove-like, heavily woodsy like juniper or some other spicy and woody tree and has a resemblance to a strong herbal tea. There's a hint of tartness and something that suggest lemon to me. Smelling this beer blind, I'd think it was tea for sure. 3.5
Everything from the nose carries over to the palate, resulting again, in a tea-like flavor, but with more body and a spritzy carbonation. Each sip offers an herbal and slightly spicy spruce or juniper flavor that gives way to black tea. A light lemony character drifts in and out throughout this medley of flavors and then a menthol-like flavor drops in on the finish and lingers, numbing the tongue along with the flavor it provides. 3.5
Light in body, with a highly carbonated mouthfeel, tea-like in how it drinks at points, and at other times more like what you'd expect from a light lager. The finish will linger in a tongue-numbing fashion as will the herbs. It's a bit much for the mouth, I'd say. 3.25
I tried this over 2 years ago and was wowed. Drinking it now, I'm not as enamored, but I still find there's some appeal in drinking this for the sheer uniqueness of it all.
1,374 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
500mL bottle poured into a mug.
A gentle pour creates a quarter finger of foamy, pale white head. Slight haziness dulls the golden body a bit and obscures the steady carbonation. 4
Such a strong herbal aroma emanates from this beer. It's clove-like, heavily woodsy like juniper or some other spicy and woody tree and has a resemblance to a strong herbal tea. There's a hint of tartness and something that suggest lemon to me. Smelling this beer blind, I'd think it was tea for sure. 3.5
Everything from the nose carries over to the palate, resulting again, in a tea-like flavor, but with more body and a spritzy carbonation. Each sip offers an herbal and slightly spicy spruce or juniper flavor that gives way to black tea. A light lemony character drifts in and out throughout this medley of flavors and then a menthol-like flavor drops in on the finish and lingers, numbing the tongue along with the flavor it provides. 3.5
Light in body, with a highly carbonated mouthfeel, tea-like in how it drinks at points, and at other times more like what you'd expect from a light lager. The finish will linger in a tongue-numbing fashion as will the herbs. It's a bit much for the mouth, I'd say. 3.25
I tried this over 2 years ago and was wowed. Drinking it now, I'm not as enamored, but I still find there's some appeal in drinking this for the sheer uniqueness of it all.
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4.04/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16.9 oz. bottle poured into nonic
L: cloudy yellow, almost pineapple juice-like, pushes up a bit of a head, maybe 1/4-inch of white foam; lots of sediment and hard to keep in the bottle and out of the glass; relatively clear considering the amount of sediment, perhaps 70/30 clear/cloudy-misty; the yellow color has just the slightest hint of orange in it, almost peach
S: minty ... and sweet, like spearmint gum ... and it must be coming from a mix of things with ginger -- the ginger/minty aroma is so strong you can smell it as you pour; basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme with basil and rosemary being the most prominent; about as interesting as anything you could put your nose to, as many as 10-15 different notes at different times
T: ginger root ... very bitter, earthy, no sweetness whatsoever; a slight lemon tart note peeks in, offering a bit of a break from the bitter root taste, almost like chewing the bark of what we called "medicine trees" growing up; wow, the palette seems to be adjusting quickly, because some of the mint is showing, offering a bit more of a break from the bitter root, just a hint of sweetness; the aftertaste is still full-on bitter bland tree root; as it warms, the herbs begin to show up much more, rosemary and basil with the lemon/mint sweet/tart notes still in there
F: all-around solid, lightly carbonated but a good midweight heft ... comes off much like a standard lower ABV farmhouse ale and definitely feels like a beer
O: what an experience ... it's not for the light of heart, because that first sip tastes like liquified tree root, very dirty bitter and I don't mean English fuggle hops -- I mean stick your tongue in a dirtpile dirt; but as it warms and your palate adjusts, a slight lemony sweetness and mint help balance the strong ginger root presence and make it very drinkable; a truly herbal drink
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16.9 oz. bottle poured into nonic
L: cloudy yellow, almost pineapple juice-like, pushes up a bit of a head, maybe 1/4-inch of white foam; lots of sediment and hard to keep in the bottle and out of the glass; relatively clear considering the amount of sediment, perhaps 70/30 clear/cloudy-misty; the yellow color has just the slightest hint of orange in it, almost peach
S: minty ... and sweet, like spearmint gum ... and it must be coming from a mix of things with ginger -- the ginger/minty aroma is so strong you can smell it as you pour; basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme with basil and rosemary being the most prominent; about as interesting as anything you could put your nose to, as many as 10-15 different notes at different times
T: ginger root ... very bitter, earthy, no sweetness whatsoever; a slight lemon tart note peeks in, offering a bit of a break from the bitter root taste, almost like chewing the bark of what we called "medicine trees" growing up; wow, the palette seems to be adjusting quickly, because some of the mint is showing, offering a bit more of a break from the bitter root, just a hint of sweetness; the aftertaste is still full-on bitter bland tree root; as it warms, the herbs begin to show up much more, rosemary and basil with the lemon/mint sweet/tart notes still in there
F: all-around solid, lightly carbonated but a good midweight heft ... comes off much like a standard lower ABV farmhouse ale and definitely feels like a beer
O: what an experience ... it's not for the light of heart, because that first sip tastes like liquified tree root, very dirty bitter and I don't mean English fuggle hops -- I mean stick your tongue in a dirtpile dirt; but as it warms and your palate adjusts, a slight lemony sweetness and mint help balance the strong ginger root presence and make it very drinkable; a truly herbal drink
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5/5 rDev +28.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
L: Pours straw with a slight haze under a thin, white foam cap.
S: A bouquet of spice, most noticeably rosemary, caraway, ginger and anise.
T: A lightly sweet with a hint of sour backgone provides a playground for the spice. Many are hard to pin down and come in and out of focus. Anise and rosemary definitely with a does of ginger heat and flavor that lingers long into the aftertaste. Some background chamomile.
F: Light, refreshing with some sparkle.
O: This is a unique, fragrant, perfumey, herby, light and real fresh beer, well worth hunting down and drinking.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
L: Pours straw with a slight haze under a thin, white foam cap.
S: A bouquet of spice, most noticeably rosemary, caraway, ginger and anise.
T: A lightly sweet with a hint of sour backgone provides a playground for the spice. Many are hard to pin down and come in and out of focus. Anise and rosemary definitely with a does of ginger heat and flavor that lingers long into the aftertaste. Some background chamomile.
F: Light, refreshing with some sparkle.
O: This is a unique, fragrant, perfumey, herby, light and real fresh beer, well worth hunting down and drinking.
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4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a clear orange body with minimal head and little lace. Aroma is spicy and not something one usually finds in a beer - anise and ginger stick out. Medium bodied beer that is a little sticky and sweet, yet balanced with spices like anise, ginger and rosemary. Clean beer, easy to drink, nice finish. Not your typical beer (i.e. ipas, stouts) and was well worth trying.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a clear orange body with minimal head and little lace. Aroma is spicy and not something one usually finds in a beer - anise and ginger stick out. Medium bodied beer that is a little sticky and sweet, yet balanced with spices like anise, ginger and rosemary. Clean beer, easy to drink, nice finish. Not your typical beer (i.e. ipas, stouts) and was well worth trying.
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4.6/5 rDev +17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From bottle at Rattle n Hum, NYC. You think you know beer? Nah ha! This will open your eyes. Nose says lemon-ish, Bay leaves? Yesiree, Bob. Not only are all those ancients present they exist within harmoniously. I`m left with a feeling of want & deprivation because there are no more in the cellar & I want.
I`ll stop here because I'm afraid my praise will distance me from my next bottle.
I've said too much.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From bottle at Rattle n Hum, NYC. You think you know beer? Nah ha! This will open your eyes. Nose says lemon-ish, Bay leaves? Yesiree, Bob. Not only are all those ancients present they exist within harmoniously. I`m left with a feeling of want & deprivation because there are no more in the cellar & I want.
I`ll stop here because I'm afraid my praise will distance me from my next bottle.
I've said too much.
412 characters
5/5 rDev +28.2%
I've been wanting to get my hands on this brew for quite some time and low-and-behold
it shows up at the beer store next door to my place! This is going to be a perfect treat as my
weekend starts now...
Pours up cloudy gold with a quickly fading, frizzy white head. Lots of yeast balls nestled into
the bottom of my Duvel chalice. The nose is what'll blow your dick off. It smells of ginger, anise,
rosemary, menthol, lemon peel, mango, licorice. Amazing! Taste is not as diversified. Tart,
oranges, lemons, white pepper, pale malts, floral hops. Spritzy carbo, medium leaning light
bodied. The best gruit I've ever had! Find this and drink this. You won't be dissapointed
686 characters
I've been wanting to get my hands on this brew for quite some time and low-and-behold
it shows up at the beer store next door to my place! This is going to be a perfect treat as my
weekend starts now...
Pours up cloudy gold with a quickly fading, frizzy white head. Lots of yeast balls nestled into
the bottom of my Duvel chalice. The nose is what'll blow your dick off. It smells of ginger, anise,
rosemary, menthol, lemon peel, mango, licorice. Amazing! Taste is not as diversified. Tart,
oranges, lemons, white pepper, pale malts, floral hops. Spritzy carbo, medium leaning light
bodied. The best gruit I've ever had! Find this and drink this. You won't be dissapointed
686 characters
3.9/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
500ml bottle.
A: Pours a very hazy egg yolk yellow under an extremely thin (1/16") white head at the rim and leaves a couple of spots of lace.
N: Boat loads of spices and herbs, bay leaves and ginger are prominent along with anise and rosemary, some thyme, clove, perfumy florals.
T: Grapefruit pith, ginger, nutmeg, clove, flowery. Reminds me of a medicinal tonic.
M: Semi-moderate body and very light carbonation. Spicy and herbal finish lingers.
O: Unique and glad to say "thank God for hops".
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
500ml bottle.
A: Pours a very hazy egg yolk yellow under an extremely thin (1/16") white head at the rim and leaves a couple of spots of lace.
N: Boat loads of spices and herbs, bay leaves and ginger are prominent along with anise and rosemary, some thyme, clove, perfumy florals.
T: Grapefruit pith, ginger, nutmeg, clove, flowery. Reminds me of a medicinal tonic.
M: Semi-moderate body and very light carbonation. Spicy and herbal finish lingers.
O: Unique and glad to say "thank God for hops".
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3.4/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3.75
Bitter like Unicum Zwack. Similar in taste to a herbal bitter (underberg, etc.) would make a very nice digestif. Not a quaffable beer but a nice drink st the end of German. Soapy, bright, herbaceous taste. Golden straw appearance with an almost non-existent head. Overall, worth a try.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3.75
Bitter like Unicum Zwack. Similar in taste to a herbal bitter (underberg, etc.) would make a very nice digestif. Not a quaffable beer but a nice drink st the end of German. Soapy, bright, herbaceous taste. Golden straw appearance with an almost non-existent head. Overall, worth a try.
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4.68/5 rDev +20%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This one pours a whitish pale gold that is nice and cloudy with a thick, rich long lived white head that settles very slowly leaving more of a tall ring than a lacing. My observation is that the head is so thick and slow to settle that it pulls itself back down the inside of the glass.
The nose is somewhat spicy and crisp with hints of bread, grass, tangerines, ginger and bay, and is very pleasant.
The taste is extremely unique and reflects this brews unique style and origins. The notes of ginger, bay leaves, anise and the combination of the wheat and yeast are a great success.
The moutfeel is reach and delivers the complex taste to eh palate nicely.
Overall this is an exceptionally good beer. Very different but very good. I will drink it again, and again, and...
778 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This one pours a whitish pale gold that is nice and cloudy with a thick, rich long lived white head that settles very slowly leaving more of a tall ring than a lacing. My observation is that the head is so thick and slow to settle that it pulls itself back down the inside of the glass.
The nose is somewhat spicy and crisp with hints of bread, grass, tangerines, ginger and bay, and is very pleasant.
The taste is extremely unique and reflects this brews unique style and origins. The notes of ginger, bay leaves, anise and the combination of the wheat and yeast are a great success.
The moutfeel is reach and delivers the complex taste to eh palate nicely.
Overall this is an exceptionally good beer. Very different but very good. I will drink it again, and again, and...
778 characters
4.34/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This beer is a cloudy and pale yellow gold, obviously (clearly?) unfiltered, with a little bit of sediment settling down to the bottom. The head is a creamy pillow of pure white, roughly one finger tall and holding its form for the session while dropping down deposits of webbing, patching and spotting in tandem.
This is an aromatic and fragrant bouquet with raw, rustic, herbal and earthy qualities. it's also slightly sweet, plenty tangy, and quite spicy overall. In the aroma and the flavor there's an overlying floral quality and, beneath that, a consistent perfume. I'm reminded of flowering heather in the slightly bitter, stemmy and general particularity of the spicing, while a firm backbone of dry grains and wheat-like notes hold it up and a strong taste of tangy and zesty lemon juice, maybe a hint of peel as well, hit the nostrils and the tongue at all times. There's a light minty note as well mingling with the rest, and the spicy bite has an edge like ginger or wasabi. It goes generally grassy, too, with a hint of something similar to spruce tips but underneath the rest. With all the complexity, depth and overall flavor to this beer, it may, as strange as it is, be as good a Gruit as one could find.
Flowing smoothly on the tongue and with a crisp bite that never fades, there's a dryness both from a leafy and woody feel and from a certain acidity that carries through without being harsh. The lemony tang and zest evens out the dryness and lingers well.
1,477 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This beer is a cloudy and pale yellow gold, obviously (clearly?) unfiltered, with a little bit of sediment settling down to the bottom. The head is a creamy pillow of pure white, roughly one finger tall and holding its form for the session while dropping down deposits of webbing, patching and spotting in tandem.
This is an aromatic and fragrant bouquet with raw, rustic, herbal and earthy qualities. it's also slightly sweet, plenty tangy, and quite spicy overall. In the aroma and the flavor there's an overlying floral quality and, beneath that, a consistent perfume. I'm reminded of flowering heather in the slightly bitter, stemmy and general particularity of the spicing, while a firm backbone of dry grains and wheat-like notes hold it up and a strong taste of tangy and zesty lemon juice, maybe a hint of peel as well, hit the nostrils and the tongue at all times. There's a light minty note as well mingling with the rest, and the spicy bite has an edge like ginger or wasabi. It goes generally grassy, too, with a hint of something similar to spruce tips but underneath the rest. With all the complexity, depth and overall flavor to this beer, it may, as strange as it is, be as good a Gruit as one could find.
Flowing smoothly on the tongue and with a crisp bite that never fades, there's a dryness both from a leafy and woody feel and from a certain acidity that carries through without being harsh. The lemony tang and zest evens out the dryness and lingers well.
1,477 characters
3.27/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
How cool is it that we get to at least try something called 13th Century Grut Bier in 2014? For that reason alone I am glad to be alive in this day and age. And for other reasons too, of course. But that's a good one. Also, how weird is it that some dude in Germany named Professor Fritz Briem is apparently the only guy on the planet brewing 13th Century Grut Bier? I have so many questions about this beer.
Poured from the bottle into a snifter. This beer is a nice opaque straw color. The cloudiness dissipates after a while and it mellows out to a pretty golden straw hue. Not entirely clear, but a shiny gold color. The nose is very herbal, almost medicinal. Strong on the ginger aroma here. I like this smell, but I'm not sure what to make of it. The taste is tart and bitter up front. Heavy rosemary and ginger presence. Unlike any other beer I've ever had, but then again I've never had anything claiming to be a 13th Century Grut Bier before either. Almost unpotable at first, until you sort of get used to the taste. It kinda grows on you, though. Kinda. Very dry and bitter finish. Mouthfeel is light, which I'm presuming was intended.
An odd beer for sure, but very interesting. I'm not a huge fan of this, but I like the idea of the beer completely. I could see sipping on this instead of a hot toddy next time I'm sick with a nasty cold. I would hope all the herbs contain some sort of healing powers that I could extol among my friends when they're sick as well. "Try this! It's strange and hard to drink, but has mysterious healing powers no one can explain!" Yeah, I like this. Give me a 13th Century Grut anytime. Cheers.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
How cool is it that we get to at least try something called 13th Century Grut Bier in 2014? For that reason alone I am glad to be alive in this day and age. And for other reasons too, of course. But that's a good one. Also, how weird is it that some dude in Germany named Professor Fritz Briem is apparently the only guy on the planet brewing 13th Century Grut Bier? I have so many questions about this beer.
Poured from the bottle into a snifter. This beer is a nice opaque straw color. The cloudiness dissipates after a while and it mellows out to a pretty golden straw hue. Not entirely clear, but a shiny gold color. The nose is very herbal, almost medicinal. Strong on the ginger aroma here. I like this smell, but I'm not sure what to make of it. The taste is tart and bitter up front. Heavy rosemary and ginger presence. Unlike any other beer I've ever had, but then again I've never had anything claiming to be a 13th Century Grut Bier before either. Almost unpotable at first, until you sort of get used to the taste. It kinda grows on you, though. Kinda. Very dry and bitter finish. Mouthfeel is light, which I'm presuming was intended.
An odd beer for sure, but very interesting. I'm not a huge fan of this, but I like the idea of the beer completely. I could see sipping on this instead of a hot toddy next time I'm sick with a nasty cold. I would hope all the herbs contain some sort of healing powers that I could extol among my friends when they're sick as well. "Try this! It's strange and hard to drink, but has mysterious healing powers no one can explain!" Yeah, I like this. Give me a 13th Century Grut anytime. Cheers.
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1.74/5 rDev -55.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2
Poured into a pint glass out of a 500ml bottle.
Pours a hazy straw yellow with a one finger white head. While there is no lacing at all the head retention is quite nice.
The aroma immediately reminds me of a cough drop. Absolutely loaded with menthol along with perfume and cleaner. While it is definitely spicy it sure isn't something that appeals to me.
Unfortunately, the taste is no better. It's like someone dissolved a cough drop in old lady's perfume and mixed it with lemon juice. Nearly gag-inducing for me. To top it all off the overwhelming astringency pretty much makes this undrinkable. I'm trying to appreciate the style and history but I just can't drink this. Down the drain it goes.
Overall, I really can't get past the medicinal taste and extreme astringency. I like to think I have a pretty expansive palate and there are very few beers I just cannot drink but this is one. This might just take the cake as the worst beer I have ever tried.
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look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2
Poured into a pint glass out of a 500ml bottle.
Pours a hazy straw yellow with a one finger white head. While there is no lacing at all the head retention is quite nice.
The aroma immediately reminds me of a cough drop. Absolutely loaded with menthol along with perfume and cleaner. While it is definitely spicy it sure isn't something that appeals to me.
Unfortunately, the taste is no better. It's like someone dissolved a cough drop in old lady's perfume and mixed it with lemon juice. Nearly gag-inducing for me. To top it all off the overwhelming astringency pretty much makes this undrinkable. I'm trying to appreciate the style and history but I just can't drink this. Down the drain it goes.
Overall, I really can't get past the medicinal taste and extreme astringency. I like to think I have a pretty expansive palate and there are very few beers I just cannot drink but this is one. This might just take the cake as the worst beer I have ever tried.
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3.27/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazy, straw color with thick, but short-lived head. Slight greenish hue to this one. My glass was devoid of lacing less than half way through, which made my glass feel naked. The nose is full of spices, citrus, and herbs. I get a face full of bay leaf right off the bat and hints of the rosemary and ginger. Looking for the anise and caraway, but couldn't lock onto any of those licorice-like aromatics. Taste is tart, but very herbaceous. Lemon and lemon rind, full of pith. Bitter botanicals from the steeping of the herbs and spices. The bay and rosemary really come through in the front, with ginger playing a supporting role, the caraway and anise are there if you really go looking for them, but are easily lost in the complex dance of flavors on this stage. The lasting finish is dry with a prolonged bitterness on the palate that reminds me of over-steeping lemon peels in hot tea. The bay sticks around for a long while. I don't pick up any of the wheat, nor much of the rosemary, but this is one worth returning to more than once, to ponder the depths of this polyglot brew. Mouth-feel is light and the carbonation is not very high in comparison to the initial head, but present enough to play its part.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazy, straw color with thick, but short-lived head. Slight greenish hue to this one. My glass was devoid of lacing less than half way through, which made my glass feel naked. The nose is full of spices, citrus, and herbs. I get a face full of bay leaf right off the bat and hints of the rosemary and ginger. Looking for the anise and caraway, but couldn't lock onto any of those licorice-like aromatics. Taste is tart, but very herbaceous. Lemon and lemon rind, full of pith. Bitter botanicals from the steeping of the herbs and spices. The bay and rosemary really come through in the front, with ginger playing a supporting role, the caraway and anise are there if you really go looking for them, but are easily lost in the complex dance of flavors on this stage. The lasting finish is dry with a prolonged bitterness on the palate that reminds me of over-steeping lemon peels in hot tea. The bay sticks around for a long while. I don't pick up any of the wheat, nor much of the rosemary, but this is one worth returning to more than once, to ponder the depths of this polyglot brew. Mouth-feel is light and the carbonation is not very high in comparison to the initial head, but present enough to play its part.
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3.56/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pale yellow with just a slight haze. I thought the Brugse Zot glass with the jester would be Medieval enough. Swarms of bubbles in the glass and a coarse white head. It settles down to near flatness after a few minutes. Light weight and rather tart.
The bitterness is a quite intense when it seeps in. Gentian is quite distinct and medicinal and you wouldn't mistake it for any kind of hop. Long aromatics in the nose, but the herbs don't jump out with individual flavors. I taste lavender, which of course isn't one of the ingredients on the label. Maybe it's the bay leaves and anis. A crazy mix.
Overall it's a very interesting interesting quaff, and this "Historic Signature Series" is well worth seeking out. From the 500 ml bottle purchased at Mayfair Liquors in Denver. My first Gruit to rate, at least, though I've had the Scottish heather and seaweed ones.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pale yellow with just a slight haze. I thought the Brugse Zot glass with the jester would be Medieval enough. Swarms of bubbles in the glass and a coarse white head. It settles down to near flatness after a few minutes. Light weight and rather tart.
The bitterness is a quite intense when it seeps in. Gentian is quite distinct and medicinal and you wouldn't mistake it for any kind of hop. Long aromatics in the nose, but the herbs don't jump out with individual flavors. I taste lavender, which of course isn't one of the ingredients on the label. Maybe it's the bay leaves and anis. A crazy mix.
Overall it's a very interesting interesting quaff, and this "Historic Signature Series" is well worth seeking out. From the 500 ml bottle purchased at Mayfair Liquors in Denver. My first Gruit to rate, at least, though I've had the Scottish heather and seaweed ones.
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4.31/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
A mostly clear gold SRM 4-5 with a big, bubbly half-inch head. No real lacing on the inside of a Spaten Seidel, though particles in suspension range in size. Most sediment was left in the bottle. That which transferred slowly settled out.
Fresh lemon with caraway. Possibly some rosemary, but definitely anise. Anise becomes stronger with warmth. Some bay leaf and fresh ginger are also noticeable.
Tart fruit with ginger. The aroma comes through nicely and is quite refreshing. The sweet/tart interplay becomes prevalent in a mild, lingering, herbal finish.
Medium body, highly spritzy with a hint of alcohol, a satin texture with light metallic notes.
This is a superbly refreshing beer, similar to a Radler. I imagine this would be a great summer beer to relax with in the shade with friends. I was pleasantly surprised.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
A mostly clear gold SRM 4-5 with a big, bubbly half-inch head. No real lacing on the inside of a Spaten Seidel, though particles in suspension range in size. Most sediment was left in the bottle. That which transferred slowly settled out.
Fresh lemon with caraway. Possibly some rosemary, but definitely anise. Anise becomes stronger with warmth. Some bay leaf and fresh ginger are also noticeable.
Tart fruit with ginger. The aroma comes through nicely and is quite refreshing. The sweet/tart interplay becomes prevalent in a mild, lingering, herbal finish.
Medium body, highly spritzy with a hint of alcohol, a satin texture with light metallic notes.
This is a superbly refreshing beer, similar to a Radler. I imagine this would be a great summer beer to relax with in the shade with friends. I was pleasantly surprised.
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4.1/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 0.5L bottle into a large glass stein. Moderately aggressive hand. No clear date on a hasty examination of the vessel.
A: Hazy, yellow-green body with 1 finger of white, sudsy head. Ok retention. No lacing. That's an interesting hue...
S: Herbal spice, heavy black pepper, lemon, a bit of grass. Cool.
T: Tart and herbal initially followed by the development of an astringent bitterness. Very dry finish. Lingering essence of bitter-lemon in the aftertaste. No alcohol of note.
M: Moderate to light carbonation with a light body. Has a certain drying effect on the palate.
O: Pretty tasty, citrusy, herbal concoction. Refreshing. Tea-like in it's astringency, but nicely drinkable. It's very interesting that I don't detect any of the cited herbs/spices specifically, but together they generate a very appealing flavor profile.
Prost!
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look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 0.5L bottle into a large glass stein. Moderately aggressive hand. No clear date on a hasty examination of the vessel.
A: Hazy, yellow-green body with 1 finger of white, sudsy head. Ok retention. No lacing. That's an interesting hue...
S: Herbal spice, heavy black pepper, lemon, a bit of grass. Cool.
T: Tart and herbal initially followed by the development of an astringent bitterness. Very dry finish. Lingering essence of bitter-lemon in the aftertaste. No alcohol of note.
M: Moderate to light carbonation with a light body. Has a certain drying effect on the palate.
O: Pretty tasty, citrusy, herbal concoction. Refreshing. Tea-like in it's astringency, but nicely drinkable. It's very interesting that I don't detect any of the cited herbs/spices specifically, but together they generate a very appealing flavor profile.
Prost!
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3.7/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Undated bottle at 55 degrees into imperial pint glass
Aroma of a spring meadow with an over smell of fall’s goldenrod
Head average (4 cm), white, frothy, mostly diminishing into a 2 mm ring
No lacing
Flavor of an herbal tea (Drink it, it’s GOOD for you), obviously no hops, no alcohol, no diacetyl; the only identifiable flavor is of bay leaves and maybe cumin.
Palate light, watery, carbonation starts lively but immediately fades to none.
Kind of makes me glad to be a beer drinker today, not then.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Undated bottle at 55 degrees into imperial pint glass
Aroma of a spring meadow with an over smell of fall’s goldenrod
Head average (4 cm), white, frothy, mostly diminishing into a 2 mm ring
No lacing
Flavor of an herbal tea (Drink it, it’s GOOD for you), obviously no hops, no alcohol, no diacetyl; the only identifiable flavor is of bay leaves and maybe cumin.
Palate light, watery, carbonation starts lively but immediately fades to none.
Kind of makes me glad to be a beer drinker today, not then.
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2.99/5 rDev -23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
S: fruity, biscuit, with some spice
A: golden color
T: spicy, bitter, floral ( lavender) on finish leaves a lingering sharpness.
O: interesting beverage from the 13th century. A little bread note with hints of spice. bitterness lingers on the back of the palate.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
S: fruity, biscuit, with some spice
A: golden color
T: spicy, bitter, floral ( lavender) on finish leaves a lingering sharpness.
O: interesting beverage from the 13th century. A little bread note with hints of spice. bitterness lingers on the back of the palate.
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3.6/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Enjoyed out of a brown 500 mL botttle with no dating that I can find on the bottle. Poured into a 50 cL glass stein with a textured exterior.
Appearance - Sunny golden body with some haze and on overall bright but somewhat translucent appearance to it. Head is about a finger thick and delicate looking, with small bubbles, like you might expect from champagne, only this one has more heft to it, and sticks around longer too. Eventually the head recedes to a film across the top, leaving little to no lacing whatsoever.
Smell - Very herbal up front, with lots of different spices coming through. The predominant ones to my nose are the bay leaves and rosemary, with a hint of the anise and ginger peeking through as well. Very light and tea-like.
Taste - The way in which the nose reminded me of tea is only more on display with the taste. It's very much like a strong herbal tea, with notes of lemon zest and lemongrass, bay leaves, ginger, and bitter garden greens. The multitude of herbs clearly take the place of hops in modern beer styles, and while it's exceedingly different and unique it's not a bad thing.
Mouthfeel - Light bodied and moderate to low carbonation, with a dry, bitter finish.
Overall, a style I'm glad to have gotten the opportunity to sample. It would be interesting to see other brewers' takes on the style, similar to how berliner weisse (another Professor Fritz Briem portfolio beer) has become increasingly popular in the last several years, it seems. This reminded me a little bit of the limited experience I've had with the Sahti style. Personally, I'll stick with hops for my bittering and flavor when given a choice.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Enjoyed out of a brown 500 mL botttle with no dating that I can find on the bottle. Poured into a 50 cL glass stein with a textured exterior.
Appearance - Sunny golden body with some haze and on overall bright but somewhat translucent appearance to it. Head is about a finger thick and delicate looking, with small bubbles, like you might expect from champagne, only this one has more heft to it, and sticks around longer too. Eventually the head recedes to a film across the top, leaving little to no lacing whatsoever.
Smell - Very herbal up front, with lots of different spices coming through. The predominant ones to my nose are the bay leaves and rosemary, with a hint of the anise and ginger peeking through as well. Very light and tea-like.
Taste - The way in which the nose reminded me of tea is only more on display with the taste. It's very much like a strong herbal tea, with notes of lemon zest and lemongrass, bay leaves, ginger, and bitter garden greens. The multitude of herbs clearly take the place of hops in modern beer styles, and while it's exceedingly different and unique it's not a bad thing.
Mouthfeel - Light bodied and moderate to low carbonation, with a dry, bitter finish.
Overall, a style I'm glad to have gotten the opportunity to sample. It would be interesting to see other brewers' takes on the style, similar to how berliner weisse (another Professor Fritz Briem portfolio beer) has become increasingly popular in the last several years, it seems. This reminded me a little bit of the limited experience I've had with the Sahti style. Personally, I'll stick with hops for my bittering and flavor when given a choice.
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13th Century Grut Bier from Professor Fritz Briem
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
303 ratings
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