Fruitig Bierreke
DijkWaert

33cl bought a week ago at ABS in Winksele, Belgium. Pours a gorgeous garnet or dusty ruby, a bit murky and slightly sedimented, under a small-bubbled head in the color of heavy cream. I briefly feel like I may never get a taste rating because I can't stop smelling. It's a summer fruit stand of strawberry and raspberry at peak ripenesss, maybe one parked by a hayfield, with a bit of sawdust spread on the ground and a spice note. Going back to the nose while drinking, I get more cellar funk as it warms and blows off a bit. It's quite a filling smell. Finally decoupling nose from the mouth of the tulip glass, I find it well fruited but not so intensely, balanced by cereals in the attack. A spicy hop feeling and a flicker of funk come in closer to the finish, with a few rough edges of sour rather than tart and medicinal rather than bitter. Still super-interesting. The mouthfeel is a bit odd, effervescent up front and a bit soapy on finish.