Drie Fonteinen Straffe Winter - Brouwerij Drie Fonteinen

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Etre Gourmet, Belgium
Date: Bottled in 2008
Glass: Tulip

Drie Fonteinen's Winter Straffe is an excellent, interesting, perhaps experimental use of atypical malts (for a lambic mash) and Belgian candi sugar to produce a not-quite-gueuze, lambic, or faro. Stylistically, it's closest to faro, with the added sweetness that the malt and candi sugar add to the beer. This is one I'd be happy to try again, but its rarity and the 25euro price tag it tends to presently command make this unlikely to happen. Maybe Armand and Michael will brew it again once the new brewing operation is in full swing. Until then, I have fond memories.

Pours a 1cm tall head of beige or off-white colored foam, composed of small and medium-sized bubbles, a bit frothy looking, but with below average retention, lasting under a minute as it fades to virtually nothing, with minimal lacing (though this fairly typical of many lambic-inspired beers). Body is a dark copper brown color, with light bringing out burnt orange tones. Suspended sediment creates a hazy appearance, about 40-60% opacity. Carbonation is visible from the bottom of the glass, appearing fairly vigorous.

Aromas of tart, unripe, green apples with modest dry straw, basement must, and amber-colored Belgian candi sugar. The sweetness is well-blended into the tart and "wild" aspects of this beer for a unique and enjoyable collection of scents.

Front of palate picks up modest malt sweetness with added amber Belgian candi sugar, but this is quickly broken down by strong, tart lemon and sour apple. The lactic and acetic acid continue through the mid-palate, generating pleasant tartness as though from unripe or tart fruits. Back of the palate picks up continued tartness and sourness, but with mild must and straw flavors, amber Belgian candi sugar, and noticeable oak character. Closes with a flash of tartness, leading to a lingering aftertaste of amber Belgian candi sugar sweetness, a hint of toasted or caramelized malts, and waning tartness.

The beer has a medium weight to it, with carbonation of medium intensity, creating a gently carbonated, never quite fizzy, mouthfeel that smoothly crosses the palate with a slight foaming effect. This is enhanced by the tartness, which causes a mild, pleasant puckering effect. Closes crisp and dry, as could be expected, with a touch of stickiness remaining across the palate.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 21:00:36 | More by falloutsnow

Mike

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

04-15-2013 00:20:48 | More by Mike

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

03-15-2013 02:13:04 | More by yourefragile

drummermattie02

Texas

3/5  rDev -28.4%

02-17-2013 16:01:20 | More by drummermattie02

acurtis

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -16.5%

02-03-2013 03:42:26 | More by acurtis

djrn2

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

02-03-2013 02:33:00 | More by djrn2

Parrotshake

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

01-17-2013 08:11:41 | More by Parrotshake

SpdKilz

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.5%

01-12-2013 02:26:40 | More by SpdKilz

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.5%

01-10-2013 04:18:22 | More by spycow

ucsbmullet

Colorado

5/5  rDev +19.3%

11-18-2012 19:42:16 | More by ucsbmullet

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

275th Review
75cl poured into a Loon glass
Vintage: 2008

Shared with kscaldef while he was in Dublin.

A: Murky, deep tan. Barely a quarter (off-white) head on medium pour.

S: Smells of sweet candy, funk, soft apple, dark fruit, touch of leather, and cherry. Enjoyable to sniff!

T: Taste is a balance of sweet caramel, dark fruit, and apple. Touch of oak and cherry mid-to-back while the funk of the lambic is subtle, but very enjoyable. Finishes with a smooth, soft tannin/leather feel as well as caramelized brown sugar. ABV is hidden and this beer is thoroughly enjoyable and very easy to drink!

M: Medium body with prickly carbonation.

O: This beer was enjoyed shortly after tasting the De Cam Oude Faro, so that was the benchmark and I think the Straffe Winter stands well above the De Cam. More depth, complexity, and character. I think this beer does a great job capturing the style of the faro while not being too overwhelmingly sweet. I look forward to aging it a bit more and seeing how it stands the test of time. Solid brew!

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 06:22:30 | More by spdyfire83

t0rin0

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

09-02-2012 20:03:31 | More by t0rin0

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

08-27-2012 16:02:20 | More by JAHMUR

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to MaxxDaddy on RB for bringing this bottle to Campground Brewdown. Yet another Drie Fonteinen off the list.

A - Pours murky brown with a small one finger tall off-white head leaving very small trails of lace down parts of the glass.

S - Smells of very light funk, dark candied sugar, dark fruits, oak, caramel and a light mineral quality. This one isn't as funky as I was expecting.

T - Starts off with some sweet caramel malt and plenty of dark candied sugar that never really go away. Hints of dark fruits, oak, light musty funk and some minerals help to break up the sweetness. Finish is pretty dry, lingering on the palate long after the finish.

M - Medium body with moderate carbonation. Kinda sweet with some lingering dryness.

O - I enjoyed this one for what it is. It definitely sports some interesting flavors but it really isn't my style. Fun to try but I wouldn't actively seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 04:29:34 | More by orangesol

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

06-28-2012 15:51:55 | More by bsuedekum

pastradul

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-07-2012 22:58:54 | More by pastradul

Jeffo

Netherlands

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Jeroen's place graced us with plenty of enjoyable 3F sours. Thanks agian guys!

From a 75cl bottle into a mini-flute.

APPEARANCE: Pours a small white head that vanishes almost immediately. Looks still pretty quickly. Hazy burnt orange with medium levels of carbonation evident. No wisp or ring remain and no lacing. Looks pretty flat by the end, which is disappointing.

SMELL: Hay and some funky notes in there, with green apples and other green fruits. A nice toffee hint comes though as well, which adds a very nice touch. Nice nose.

TASTE: Sour green apples and lemon notes up front, with some nice candy sugar and toffee sweetness coming through after the swallow, offering some very nice balance to the taste profile. Hints of oak come through as well, along with touches of floral bitterness after the swallow. Bold aftertaste of sour apples, sweet sugary toffee and a touch of bitterness lingering nicely on the palate. Very flavorful and balanced for sure.

PALATE: Light on the palate and medium-high levels of carbonation. Creamy and vibrant on the palate, goes down fine and finishes quite dry.

OVERALL: Next to Hommage, this was probably the beer I enjoyed the most. The sweet tones from the sugar accompanied the sourness extremely well, and I really appreciated the light bitterness at the finish. This is one I’d gladly stock up on for future consumption. Really enjoyed this, and found it extremely approachable for a sour rookie. Good choice on this one guys. Thanks again!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 20:58:49 | More by Jeffo

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.53/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle enjoyed at In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst, poured into house tumblers.

A: Cloudy orange body with some sediment; one finger of fine, creamy tan foam. Nice retention and lacing. Pretty good.

S: Heavily lactic, with tons of acidity dominating the aroma. Underneath the lactic acid is some classic earthy funk, with plenty of minerality. Smells like a combination Lambic/American Wild. Great.

T: Very sour, with puckering lactic acidity continuing from front to back, and leaving a tingling vacuum throughout my mouth - my cheeks just keep sucking in. Along with the intense sourness are notes of earthy, hay, must, mushroom, and lemon. Powerful and delicious.

M: Creamy, lively, silky, and ultimately crisp and puckering. Perfect.

O: I didn't know what to expect with this one (besides awesomeness, being from 3 Fonteinen), and I was really blown away. Completely unlike any other Lambic I've ever had, and fascinatingly delicious in its own unique way.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 15:18:46 | More by woosterbill

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle (4 years old): Poured a murky deep amber color faro with a small bubbly head with minimal retention. Aroma consists of funky yeast ester and some barnyard notes. Taste is a mix between some candi sugar notes mix in with some funky notes with loads of barnyard and wet leather notes with some tart notes at the end. Body is quite full for style with limited carbonation which again is to be expected. Funkier then expected with less residual sugar then I had anticipated.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 16:47:18 | More by Phyl21ca

brystmar

New York

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage with a "drink by" date of Jan 2012. My first Faro!

Really nice looking sour: copper body, plenty of white head, strong lace. Oaky barrel character in the nose compliments the funk and sourness well. Taste has plenty of oakyness too, plus mild sugary sweetness, a good amount of tartness, lots of malt, and tons of complexity.

Wasn't sure what to expect from this one, and I really liked it. Reminds me of Rosso, but much better. Would love to try it fresh!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 00:58:35 | More by brystmar

hoppymcgee

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

03-29-2012 03:26:48 | More by hoppymcgee

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4/5  rDev -4.5%

02-21-2012 16:50:25 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pour is a darker copper toned amber with a tight creamy off white head. The nose has a very webby funk to it with a yeasty spice presence up front. Tons of candied sugars dominate the bulk of the nose with some faint sour cherries in back with a touch of booze. The taste is very sweet, dusty up front but light, overly sweet candied sugar and caramel. faintly sour cherries in the back. lighter creamy body with a grentler carbonation and bit juicy with a faint driness.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 16:18:09 | More by cpetrone84

imperialking

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.5%

02-10-2012 05:33:19 | More by imperialking

beerpirates

Belgium

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

75cl Bottle poured into my cantillon tulip glass

A: . Pours a murky, deep orange (bordering on brown) body with a small white head. Nice.

S : Aroma is subtle and complex: candy sugar, brett notes, barnyard funk, dried fruits, almonds and some nutty, woody notes.

T : Taste is matching: smooth brett tones, sweet malts, candy sugar, hay, yellow apples , wood and baker’s yeast.

O : The added candy sugar makes this a sort of crossbreed between a Belgian ale and a classic lambic. Which I do like. A really, really nice brew and a truly original lambic.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 19:44:43 | More by beerpirates