Bertinchamps Hiver
Ferme de Bertinchamps

 

Several people in my periphery were being very positive about this brewery and hinted on me liking their products. I found a 4-pack of "Hiver" (winter) in a supermarket while on family holiday last christmas.
Very nice label on a stumpy dark brown bottle. Very "today".

Served in a tulip wineglass.
I expected a very dark brown beer, but it's surprisingly clear. The colour is a caramel orange.
The head never realy matured and vanishes quickly. Some of the carbonation forms isles.
Hardly any smells noticable. I can make out grain, sweet malts, blackberry, sour apple, caramel.
A superbly well balanced flavourpallet. caramel on rye bread, sugary malt, sour apple and mango. Earthy and sweet notes rule. mouthfeel is thin, slightly creamy.
Aftertaste is dry and slightly bitter. Oat cookies, raisins and some dark chocolate. Full and mellow. Lingers...

This beer is so surprising in so many ways. It's totally different from what I expected, but a very pleasent surprise it is.

The body, my word. Head disappears quickly and not very lacey. Loved the bitter flavor, pity the aroma is a bit weak. Lovely bitter aftertaste lingers for a long time on the back of the palette.