Antwerps Bruin
Huisbrouwerij 't Pakhuis

Sampled draught @ ’t Pakhuis. Red hued old furniture brown amber with little tanned head. Nose is watery brown sugar water with some caramel, brown apples, sweet spices and light syrup. Taste is watery sweet brown apples, some light malts, empty, caramel, spices and stainless steel, biscuit. Touch flatter, watery body. Better than the other ones tried there but still very far from stellar. Everyone but me classified this one as by the worst one. Seems to have less if even no issues – still far from a nice brew. Boo to all of their beers. All of their beers seem to be infected but they have been open since 1996 & they are still doing well it seems so I suppose people don't care or there is something wrong my pallet.

5.50% ABV. Served on-draught into Pakhuis stemware at Pakhuis in Antwerp. Reviewed from notes taken July 2011. Cost was 2.50 euro per glass or 11 euro per 1.3 litre pitcher. I got the glass.

A: Pours a one finger head of nice cream, good thickness, and pathetic fifteen second retention. Very poor for the modest ABV. Colour is a dark ruby.

Sm: Fairly dark fruit esters. A pretty light aroma; it's tough for me broken nose to detect individual distinct notes. All apologies, lads.

T: Restrained dark fruit, some estery hop notes, floral gops, a touch of caramelized malt, and a full-bodied malted barley base. Very simple, even a bit bland. Yet well balanced. Pretty uninspired. Some cream on the climax is a nice touch here, but there's little of interest.

Mf: Nicely coarse and wet, but not special or unique. Not really tailored to the flavours of the body. Soft and delicate; the best aspect of this beer.

Dr: Average ABV is well hidden. The mouthfeel is wonderful but doesn't really fit the beer. Excellent pricing, though. It's worth a go, but keep expectations checked.

C

I'm not sure why this is listed as "retired", as a friend of mine who works at the restaurant/brewery gave me a bottle to try, as they sell it regularly.

I poured it into a duvel tulip glass, and it appeared flat until I got to the skinny part of the tulip, where I nice head showed up. It had a replaceable stopper top which gave a good pop when opened, so I knew there was carbonation there.

It's a rich brown color, and smells of roasted malt, strong, not burnt like some.

Taste is very good, and felt good in the mouth. I was a little worried it would feel flat after the head died away quickly, but I could still feel the carbonation upon swallowing.

A good Belgian dubbel.

Draught at the brewpub T Pakhuis in Antwerp, tasted in 1999.

Appearance : brown color, with a tan foam head.
Smell : caramel and roasted malts aromas.
Taste and mouthfeel : sweet caramel, medium bodied, bitter finish.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style Belgian Dubbel.