Witte Madam
De Proefbrouwerij

(This is a provisional review while seeking clarification whether this is a new recipe or reactivation of the same beer; note also a new label as shown at http://www.wittemadam.be/) Bottle bought this summer and marked with a best-by date of 06/2012, served in a tulip. Light brass color with a lasting layer of large-bubbled, pearl-white foam. Strong yeast aroma, mild funk, some hops, notes of apricot and cherry, and a layer of earth or tobacco. Surprisingly robust malt bringing to mind light caramel, perhaps some lightly toasted buttered toast with vanilla sugar, and flickers of something herbacious and clovey to give it a sort of rootbeer flavor. Hops seems to arrive only in a cleansing, carbonated backend.

Blond color, with a very abundant white foam. At a second pour, a little cloudy.
The smell is on the blond side, quite malty, a bit of alcohol.
Quite malty in the taste too. Then some more delicate flavour, of camomile and white flowers, and also white fruit.
Maybe a light starting spiciness.
Quite delicate, and fresh, despite the 8.5 ABV.