't Smisje Grande Reserva
Brouwerij Smisje

't Smisje Grande Reserva't Smisje Grande Reserva
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From:
Brouwerij Smisje
 
Belgium
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
11%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.7 | pDev: 19.46%
Reviews:
52
Ratings:
90
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 26, 2020
Added:
Dec 09, 2007
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  6
't Smisje Kerst matured in Michel Couvreur's whiskey barrels.
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Ratings by calcnerd:
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Rated by calcnerd from Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

Jan 30, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.18 by robotic_being from Illinois

Dec 26, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Feb 26, 2017
 
Rated: 3.85 by Beginner2 from Illinois

Mar 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by GRG1313 from California

Jan 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.17 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jan 04, 2016
Photo of keithmurray
Reviewed by keithmurray from Connecticut

4.16/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - murky brown liquid with tan head, lots of sediment

Smell - prunes, figs, raisin,rum,

Taste - prune, raisin, figs, red grapes, molasses, hint of whisky barrel

Mouthfeel - medium bodied, lower medium carbonation, slight sweetness upfront from the dark fruits, flavors of those dark fruits as well as a hint of the barrel present in the aftertaste

Overall - nice beverage here, the barrel characteristics from the whiskey barrel are well integrated along with the rest of the flavor profile. Recommended for fans of Belgian ales.

Price Point - $5.49/11.2 oz bottle
Nov 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.66 by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

Sep 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by mush from Illinois

Feb 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by BrewerB from North Carolina

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.96 by MichaelLamb from New York

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by ipc2000 from New York

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 1.5 by DarthGuitarHero from Minnesota

Jun 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by afsdan from Colorado

May 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Latarnik from New Jersey

May 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by davidwhatshisnam from New York

May 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by enelson from Illinois

Feb 02, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by westcoastbeerlvr from California

Nov 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by mscudder from Georgia

Aug 08, 2013
Photo of HerdNo1
Reviewed by HerdNo1 from West Virginia

4.62/5  rDev +24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A: Poured from a bottle into a tulip after letting it warm to 54 degrees. A small, off-white head faded to nothing fairly quickly. The beer itself is a hazy brown.

S: My immediate impression is an explosion of tart cherries; almost lambic in nature. Over a bit of time, I get almost a fruit salad of sensations. The barrel aging is barely detectable and you sort of have to know it's there to pick it up.

T: All kinds of things going on. Dark fruits and sweet malt dominate. The 11 % a.b.v isn't even noticeable. As on the nose, the whiskey barrel is there but you really have to look for it. Marvelous change of pace from too many barrel aged beers that let the barrel dominate. Any hops in this beer are bit players.

M: Creamy, creamy, creamy. This beer just melts in your mouth like chocolate. The finish is mostly sweet but not too much to let it hang around forever.

O: Terrific beer. As with all really good beers, it changes character with each sip and as it warms. It is sweet enough to be one hell of a beer with dessert or, better yet, served as dessert. The Belgians are masters of hiding the alcohol. Fortunately, I don't have to drive after this brew.
Jul 24, 2013
't Smisje Grande Reserva from Brouwerij Smisje
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 90 ratings