Grottenbier - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.86/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

330 mL bottle with freshness date, poured into a tulip glass produced a large creamy tannish head, retention is decent, but it leaves a nice frothy film and good lacing. The beer is a dark ruby brown, slightly muted, some visible carbonation. 4

S- strong notes of caramel malt, spicy with slight booze kick, a strong yeast note. Subtle clove, plum, woodshop smell, some malty sweetness, notes of cinnamon, christmas cake. After it mellows it becomes really nice and soft, not a lot of bitterness but some pepper and aged chili spice. Quite complex and balanced. 4.25

T- a pretty big malty body with spice and chili notes initially, lemon zest, hazelnut, then more astringent yeast. Aged caramel, wool blankets. It has an initially lightness then more of a tartness, lemon meringue, transitions quite smoothly. Ends very dry, with a bittersweet caramel, and a bit of alcohol. Warming all the way down, lingering smooth spice. Pretty good, balance is alright but falls short in complexity. 3.75

M- Moderate maltiness with a smooth consistency, moderate carbonation, a coating prickle of yeast lingers with a dry malty finish. Some slight alcohol presence but this mostly enhances the malty and dry yeasty aspects of this beer. 3.75

Pretty enjoyable beer, there are a few aspects it could improve. A bit much carbonation, it is quite well balanced, though a bit tart/spicy on finish. Together it isn't the most memorable beer, nice Dark Ale with a fair bit of yeasty presence that has some issues incorporating into the beer, sometimes feel thin. I wouldn't rush to get this again, but its nice nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 16:58:15 | More by mick303

Filosoof

Netherlands

4.28/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Grottenbier is a special one. But in a very delicate way.

A: If someone says the top disappears quickly, he has to take a clean glass. The top is great. Brandy colour, with a touch of red in it. The top is vanilla coloured.

S: there's something special in the smell (oak or wine) , tiny liquorice , old wood, vanilla, cherry, tart apple, light malts;

T: the taste has it's own style; reminds me a bit of Gulden Draak Quadruple 4000. (The colour also); the beer uses your mouth completely, starting a bit thin, but than coming through with a round creamy bite, ending with a very nice balancede bitterishness, cleaning the mouth;

M: alcohol is perfect, wel carbonated, good drinkability;

O: amber beers won't be my number one, but in it's style it's maybe one of the best.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 14:11:41 | More by Filosoof

rarbring

Sweden

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A clouded reddish brown beer, an off-white head with little lacing and small curtains.

Smelling of yeast, vinegar and spices. Clove.

Starts with sweet bread, raisins, bitter oranges and some yeast.

Medium low carbonation, soft texture, medium body.

A nice sourish brew. Should be good with cave matured cheese.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 14:44:54 | More by rarbring

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -40.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Thanks to Jim at Sherbrooke for the sample. From a 330 ml brown bottle. Pours out a dark hazed amber hue, bright cherry wood highlights when held to light. Tight creamy light beige head that settles to a thin cap.

Dry mild toasty grains on the nose, punctuated with a curious sourness. Mild sweet caramel pokes through from time to time, along with some yeasty spice.

Dry husky grains up front in the flavour, cereal-like character to it, followed by very mild esters, and finishing with a dry vegetal astringency and some rounded grainy tartness. Some dry wafery caramel is drawn out the more it warms, however does not really add anything to the overall profile. Flavour is disjointed for the most part, no cohesion.

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, texture is dry and somewhat astringent, papery even, with moderate carbonation.

This is an odd one indeed, the best before states it's good until Jan. of 2013, however there are already oxidization issues creeping into it, amongst other issues. Seems to me this is not aging well, especially given the ingredients list on the back label--not living up to its potential. Happy at the chance to try such a rare beer, however based on my sample I wouldn't recommend bending over backwards to procure one. Disappointing indeed from St. Bernardus, who tend to be exemplar with whatever they produce.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 06:51:31 | More by IronDjinn

LittleCreature

Australia

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - 3.5
Pours a finger of loose beige head that quickly recedes to a thin layer and leaves no lacing. Body is a deep, clear reddish brown.

Smell - 4.0
Attractive aroma of caramel, ginger, cherry syrup and mixed spices.

Taste - 3.5
Obviously spiced, but done so with a degree of restraint that keeps it drinkable. Starts sweetish, little malt or hop character (or bitterness), it is the yeast and spices that lead the way. Cherry syrup, clove, ginger, allspice, burnt sugar and warming alcohol in the dry finish.

Mouthfeel - 4.0
Highly carbonated, as is the Belgian norm. Light bodied, somewhat asprin-like, yet almost creamy at the same time.

Overall - 4.0
I'd suggest serving this beer in a tulip glass, rather than the wide goblet I chose, where it seemed to get a little lost. One of the late, great Michael Jackson's favourite beers before he died. I have to wonder whether the recipe has changed, as while this certainly qualifies as a good beer, to me, it falls well short of greatness.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 06:16:09 | More by LittleCreature

dansmcd

Australia

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Ruby/burgundy hue beneath one finger of fizzy head.

S - Bread, yeasty, Granny Smith apples.

T - Fresh brown bread, white wine and spices. Tart green apples.

M - Smooth moderate body, moderate carbonation.

O - A good belgian style dark ale. Not a life-changer but I could certainly go for another.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 14:21:17 | More by dansmcd

Squelch

United Kingdom (England)

3.35/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Dark brown. Off white head. Nice lacing.

Smell: Sweetness dominates the aroma.

Taste: Slightly sour. Sweetness still dominates. Bitterness non existent. Slight roasty flavors.

Mouthfeel: Finishes dry. Light bodied.

Overall: A drinkable beer. Needs more hops to balance it out.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 19:10:11 | More by Squelch

Sunnanek

Sweden

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This beer is hazy brown with lots of red hues. A pale brown head slowly sets into nice lacings.

S: Sweet malt, some caramell. Yeast, very Belgian, a bit sour. Flowers and spices. Some fresh fruits, manily green apples.

T: Sweet at first, then dry. There's spices and yeast. Some dark dried fruits, but also fresh green apples. Sour.

M: Dry and bitter long aftertaste. Body is medium to full while the carbonation is light to medium.

O: Nice and well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 17:20:10 | More by Sunnanek

Crittervision

North Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Split a 750ml from 1992 a few ways on 12 August 2011 at Kulminator. 

Watery brown body with a thin, quickly disappearing head that matche...d the natural paper color on the label. 

Smell is quite nice. Heavy on the cocoa, some peppercorn, and a lot of tobacco sweetness. 

Taste is syrupy sweet, but also green vegetables. Caramel. Mild alcohol. 

Mouthfeel is light and thin. 

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 19:09:54 | More by Crittervision

rvdoorn

Netherlands

4.33/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look: The beer pours reddish amber color, with a light brown head, which leaves a nice lacing.
Smell: Malts, flowers, caramel, spicy clove, cinnamon, pepper, nuts and fresh apple
Taste: Malts, clove and yeast. Some light caramel and pepper. Sour apples and nutty. This beer overall is very dry, with a bitter crispy pepper alcohol in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: medium body,high carbonation
Overall: Quite complex brew, very sharp and spicy. I like it, but not too often

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 14:37:37 | More by rvdoorn

czfreeman

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought at De Honte, Cadznd.
Pours a highly carbonated murky dark brown color. Foamy tanhead settles slowly. Great for BDA apperance.
Smells of cherry, musty yeast,oak, wet leaves, cloves, nutmeg, dried fig, apple, yeast, and a nice finish of sour fruit make the nose much more complex and interesting than anticipated
Flavors of sour apple,cherry, yeast, lambic-like bacteria sour notes, pepper, nutmeg, sour wood, oak, spicy overall, nice touch of yeast marries perfect with the light creaminess form the yest.
The body is highly carbonated, well balanced and very drinkable. Beautifully balanced, one of the best BDA's I've ever enjoyed

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 19:37:07 | More by czfreeman

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at Cafe Belgique in Amsterdam. From notes.

A - Poured a cloudy/hazy dark brown. Beautiful two finger head that leaves thick rings of lacing caked on the glass. Head retention in the form of a thin film.

S - A little sour cherry. Fairly mild. Woodiness obvious. Started weak but improved and became stronger.

T - Yeasty. Plum with some sour notes and oakiness. Obvious candi sugar sweetness. Quaite oaky or woody.

M - Medium body with nice light carbonation. Slightly sour finish.

O/D - Probably a good intro to more sour beers. Not the best example of something venturing in these waters but a decent beer and worth a try if you want something with a slight sour note that is quite refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2011 21:38:37 | More by tbeckett

StJamesGate

New York

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours amber brown with piles of rocky off white foam that rings nicely. Bright mint-kola nose with some soil and wax - but pretty shallow. Big over ripe banana in the lead then clove, a phenol hit and spicy hops. Med-thin, fizzy, no heat.

Entry-level Belg brown. Too lively to quaff, and no complexity, but easy enough otherwise.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 18:49:23 | More by StJamesGate

atis

Finland

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle

Pours dark brown with off-white large rocky head that slowly dissipates, leaving some foamy patches on the surface. Aroma is spicy yeast, some sweet malt.

Taste is an exciting combination of spicy Belgian yeast, bready malt with hints of dark fruit, herbal bitterness with citrus in the finish and slowly increasing sweet aftertaste. Mouthfeel is light medium.

Certainly an interesting beer. Very unusual and memorable taste, but I am not sure if I would like to drink it very often.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 07:01:15 | More by atis

eric5bellies

Australia

4.35/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drank from my Duvel Tulip

A - This beer pour a very dark ruby colour with an off white head that reduces to a film.

S - Slghtly sour aromas from the pour, a little stewed dark fruit as well.

T - Quite a bit of sweetnes up fron with some boiled sweets flavours in the middle that are mostly dark fruit. Finishes with a sour bitterness that is balanced.

M - Medium to light body with fullish carbonation.

D - This is a beer that has a bit of everything and yet retains balance.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 14:35:15 | More by eric5bellies

ThaCreep

Belgium

3.68/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A smell of spring in the cellar first nosing. The yeast is very aromatic and through the scents of musty old and very valuable, one can sense a nose finely alcohol. The mouth does not really follow the same logic as it has an ease to drink very impressive. With hints of sherry Oloroso. Obviously, like any beer Pierre Celis, we find a whole bunch of spices, exotic enough, a mixture which is a little like the Fruit Défendu. Fairly long finish, slightly medicinal. A little lack of surprise over a method that is meant extremely original.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-14-2010 20:01:44 | More by ThaCreep

Brabander

Netherlands

3.13/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I bought this beer at the brewery when i was there in july this year. Drank it yesterday together with Mrs. Brabander.

We both find this beer not spectacular. Poured in our Chalices the beer has a dark red/brown fluid and a normal head.

This dark ale has a very dry taste. Good if you like dry beers but not for us.

Caramel and herbs are hidden in the beer. There are better dark ales and there are better Bernardus beers than this one (but you all know that!)

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 11:24:40 | More by Brabander

beerpirates

Belgium

3.28/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

33 cl bottel poured into my cantillon glass

A- This beer has a dark brown body with a huge thick creamy light tan head. The head last and last and pulls away from the glass changing into a cloud floating on the beer.

S- The smell of dark candy sugar with notes of toasted sweet malt has a perfume note to it but it doesn't smell overly sweet.

T- The toasted malt has a smooth candy flavor to it with faint hints of prunes and the finish is a nice soft bitter hops. This beer had some good depth to the malt and it wasn't overly sweet but very smooth to drink.

M- This beer is very dry , mouthfeel with no alcohol warmth. There was a light fizz in the finish that made it feel lighter in the mouthfeel.

D- abv is very wel hidden , but i'm not à big fan

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2010 18:47:56 | More by beerpirates

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.22/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle 6,5% ABV

Appearance: The beer pours a murky, chestnut brown and is capped by a massive (typically Belgian), cream coloured head. The head dissipates reasonably fast, leaving good lace and a 1/2 inch cap that lasts most of the way down.

Smell: Even as I pour I can smell the spiciness of the nose. On closer inspection cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon are all present. Toasted bread, golden raisins and figs round off the nose, giving Grottenbier a wonderfully powerful and complex nose.

Taste: After such a powerful nose, the flavour seems a little light on the first sip; however it does improve with subsequent sips and warming. Toasted whole-wheat bread and spice (cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper) dominate the flavour. Some earthy hops make a welcome appearance in the slightly bitter finish. This flavour could potentially be world class, if only it was a little deeper and complex.

Mouthfeel: Medium/light bodied with a high level of carbonation.

Drinkability: I am really regretting not buying a 750ml. I will most certainly have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2010 13:15:00 | More by Thehuntmaster

Daniell

Australia

3.35/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: decent head, average retention. Dubbel colour, figs. Quite attractive but all things considered a 3.5.

S: smells like how I imagine Chimay Red could if I could remember it. Smells a lot like the Chimay yeast but lighter and mixed in with tropical fruit flavours. Think banana, mango, pineapple, almost like tropical fruit juice. A bit more plumy as it warms. Definitely Chimay-ish. 3.5

T: sweet but not too sweet, tropical fruit juice. Bit of bitterness on the back of the palate. Satisfying, actually. I realised afterwards that it comes from St Bernardus, because I also noticed the same grape bubblegum I get in the ABT 12. Must be their yeast. 3.5

M: This is one distinction between this and Chimay, this is well carbonated. 3

D: Around about 3.5. I wanted to offload some on my brother to help me finish the 750mL so it's not eminently drinkable, but then again I'm a harsh reviewer. In spite of the relatively low ABV, to get me to drink the whole 750mL willingly this needs more complexity. 3

A decent beer, not amazing. I probably wouldn't buy this again, especially for the price (just under $17).

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2010 10:11:44 | More by Daniell

RuudJH

Netherlands

4.03/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer that's aged in the marl stone caves of Kanne, on the Dutch Belgian border.
0.33 cl. bottle, best before 2013.

Clear brown ale, thin head, decent carbonation.

Smell and taste are typical for a belgian dark ale: the yeast and roasty malts, some candy caramel bottle conditioning, some dark fruits. A more recent tasting, sniffing directly from the corked 75 cl. bottle, has overwhelming vanilla as well. Koriander too.
Easy mouthfeel: smooth and clean. No problems with the alcohol.

I'm not sure what the marl cave aging does to this beer, but it's a good deal smooth.
It could be just a gimmick, but it's not a bad beer at all.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2010 11:39:48 | More by RuudJH

dgilks

Australia

4.35/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sweet, malty, raisins, hint of banana and a touch of spice. Reasonable aroma.

Very nice, moderately clear, amber colour with red tinges. Good, big, fluffy, off-white head. Good head retention.

Good flavour with dark fruit notes and some rounded caramelised sugar flavours. Some lighter stone fruit esters and faint phenolics are good. The whole flavour is well balanced.

Medium body with moderately high carbonation. Good.

A very tasty, malty, fruity Belgian ale. Lots going on and very easy to drink. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 06:27:46 | More by dgilks

Ch1mpy

Sweden

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Gift from LCW. Thanks!

A: Foam gushing out of the bottle as soon as I open it. Oh my, should have expected that. Pours a foggy brown. Has a rapidly diminishing beige head. Very little lacing.

S: Sweet smell of yeast and apples. Refreshing!

T: Sweet taste of caramel malts and rather a lot of fruit. Still rather laid back, not overly complex.

M: Smooth mouthfeel, very little carbonation.

D: This is really good stuff. During my next trip down to the Limburg region I'll try to score some more.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 18:33:13 | More by Ch1mpy

bloxy14

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

3.58/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a bottle of this before dinner and was very impressed.

A: A very poor pour into a Gulden Drak glass left it with a thin white head that dissappeared immediately. I think this was my fault as I wasn't paying attention.

S: Smell for me is a little lacking but I have been in front of a wood fired pizza oven all day so could be better than I am able to realise.

T: Taste is great and surprising after the lack of nose. Malt, some cloves, slight orange and caramel is apparent. Most of the taste is after the event.

M: Creamy and low carbonation.

D: Good beer to drink in a cave or anywhere else.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2010 05:01:25 | More by bloxy14

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Split a bottle of this at Volo with Doug. Pours a deep mahogany with a billowing off-white head. Good retentiion and lacing rounds off some good looks. The aroma is neat - somewhat musty, with funk, cherries, bread, spice and a hint of vinegar. Certainly complex, and as high quality as you would expect from this brewery.

There's quite a lot going on with this one, and it feels like the offspring of a saison and a Flemish brown. Aged hops hit first followed by fruit and a musty funkiness, that I'm digging. Certain some leather and cider notes going on. There's also a very slight sourness to it, which adds a bit more depth. A cool thing about the flavour is that you can pick out that St. Bernardus house yeast, and it lends a nice spicy breadiness to the whole proceeding. Medium carbonation and body, with a slightly drying finish.

Another hit, and a complex, almost vinous Flemish beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 15:26:38 | More by bobsy