Bink Winterkoninkske - Brouwerij Kerkom

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep amber color with a tan head. In the aroma, a sweet fruitiness, junioer berries I guess, and just a hint of alcohol. In the taste, small sweet malt with a dry alcoholic fruitiness and a small tartness too. A smooth, small sour fruit mouthfeel and a sweet malt/ dry fruitiness in the aftertaste. Quite complex, and very good. Fruitiness reminds me of grapes, but juniper berries are close to that.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2007 01:35:56 | More by OWSLEY069

acevenom

Louisiana

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured into a brandy snifter. The beer pours dark toffee brown, becoming opaque in the glass, with a slowly dissipating light tan head. Some lacing is left behind on the glass as the head retreats. There are aromas of roasted malt, juniper, dark fruits like fig and plum, toffee, and some alcohol. I get plenty of roasted malt and bread crust in the flavor with juniper, toffee, fig, and plum. I'm getting some hop bitterness in the back, but the other flavors shine more. The alcohol also does come out a little in the flavor as well. The body is medium with moderate carbonation. The finish is slightly dry and the alcohol provides a nice warming effect. This is easily drinkable for a beer above 8% ABV. This is a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 01:49:07 | More by acevenom

Absumaster

Netherlands

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A very dark beer with a burgundy color. The head is very small and after a few minutes gone.

The smell is dark with notes of figs, candisugar, juniper, caramel malts, bread crust and a light tartness of the yeast. The beer's alcohol is shines through and there is some wood after warming up.

The taste is a sweet, malty beer with some clear juniper berry tastes. The yeast adds a complex taste, which is a bit boozy and like red wine. The typical Kerkom yeast is a classic Belgian yeast that gives a slight tartness, some solvent and spices like clove, ginger and coriander. A wonderfull beer! The mouthfeel is sweet and the beer is sticky on the lips. A true winterbeer!

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 20:37:30 | More by Absumaster

BGsWo22

New York

2/5  rDev -48.7%

03-21-2013 00:09:26 | More by BGsWo22

DoubleJ

California

3.59/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Despite a few domestic labels insisting that spring is finally here, I'll go the Belgian way and drink a winter seasonal. On to the beer? Sure....

It's as dark in the glass as it is outside my window this evening. Very dark brown on the verge of being black, with a faint reddish hue given the correct alignment of glass and light meeting. The head forms a ½ inch head, settling to a creamy lace. I'm come to expect the aroma of plums in a dark Belgian Xmas Ale, and it shows. Along with the plums chugs along caramel, brownie batter, and echoing fruit esters from the yeast.

Somewhat fruity, somewhat sweet, and somewhat bittering. It's acceptable as it is. The taste of prune juice makes an entry. A coating of caramel adds its layer. There's dough too. There is a buzzy bitterness which interferes with the harmony of the beer, and adds a burnt note in the aftertaste. Could it be the alcohol? Mouthfeel is medium full and modestly carbonated.

Middle of the pack Belgian ale, which isn't a bad place to be in. I have taken my medicine and should sleep well tonight.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 07:37:09 | More by DoubleJ

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Winterkoninkske pours a hazy dark brown color with a small, frothy head on top. As the foam disappears a few spots of lace cling to the glass.

The aroma is sweet with notes of brown sugar, fig, molasses, dark fruit and perhaps a hint of orange peel. Alcohol is also present in the nose.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is soft on the palate, with a light effervescent fizz. The flavor is sweet with a taste of dark fruit and spice. Brown sugar, fig, plum and raisin are blended with orange peel and clove. It finishes dry with lingering fig and clove.

This is a tasty beer that's good for a cold winters night. However, it's a little thin and flat.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 23:48:25 | More by WanderingFool

Greggo123

4.25/5  rDev +9%

12-29-2012 04:19:38 | More by Greggo123

riversider76

New York

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown with ruby hues, and a fluffy tan head. Decent retention, and nice laceing. Aroma is of sugar, sweet fruit,and cherries. Body is thick and rich with some carbonation. Taste is of candy,fruit and rum rasin. nice rich finish. A must try for the holidays. Merry Christmas!!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 22:11:37 | More by riversider76

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Apparently the Kerkom brewery knows me all too well. They know that as the Christmas time draws near that my endulgence in all things succulent, sweet, and decedent increases. And they're taking full advantage.

Dark ruby-brown colors are surprisingly light in haze and shows off a a dainty glow of black cherry from underneath. It's dark color hides the rise of bubbles that work to construct a creamy and stubborn head that laces with clinging lace.

Malt and fruit converge in the aroma with impressionable memories of plumb, raisin, cherry, and a candied sweet scent that smell like candy stores. Confectioner's sugar notes align with a winy and earthy scent that promises as much acidity as it does bitterness.

Malty sweet with the supple taste of candied fruit, the beer prefers the taste of hard candy, plumb, raspberry, red grape, and cider that begins to give rise to the more earthen taste of prune, apple, orange, and raisin; all before fading into a semi-dry malt taste and light peppery spice.

Medium-full, the beer leads with a creamy-sweet candied texture. But a turn to mid palate of acidic bite and sprite effervescence provide lift, the finish is warm, spicy, and earthen.

Kerkom's winter warmer certainly captures the taste of the more candied taste of Belgian dark strong ales and less of the "darker" tastes- just in time for my sweet tooth to wake from its hibernation and demand attention.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 07:53:54 | More by BEERchitect

RollBounce

New York

4/5  rDev +2.6%

10-22-2012 00:51:40 | More by RollBounce

NOLANDMAN

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%

09-12-2012 06:10:05 | More by NOLANDMAN

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +2.6%

09-08-2012 00:59:17 | More by t0rin0

bsuedekum

Missouri

3.25/5  rDev -16.7%

08-29-2012 02:11:34 | More by bsuedekum

cwd

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +2.6%

07-23-2012 23:00:27 | More by cwd

od_sf

California

4/5  rDev +2.6%

07-08-2012 00:46:58 | More by od_sf

UCLABrewN84

California

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Congregation Ale House in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a murky dark brown with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, and some slight spice aromas. Taste is much the same with a very sweet flavor and a nice toasty malt presence. There is a slight alcohol kick with each sip and a medium amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp yet sticky mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with a nice robust flavor that definitely fits in as a Winter beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 04:52:01 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a molasses color with a large-bubbled though small head that fades without leaving much of a remembrance

Smell: Dried dark fruit and spice cake, with fig, date and licorice as well as brown sugar and cinnamon; the juniper berries add a gin-like character, as well

Taste: Both the spice cake and dark fruits found in the aroma permeate the front end with the middle adding a touch of brandy and tea character; after the swallow, there is a yeasty and leathery dryness that develops, with the juniper berries arriving in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low carbonation

Overall: I have cellared this bottle for a while and that may have affected the mouthfeel; still, the flavors come together powerfully and present a complex profile - a bit of Christmas in June, to jump the gun

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 18:37:24 | More by brentk56

OriolesFan1008

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

05-30-2012 19:10:58 | More by OriolesFan1008

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours a ruddy, mostly opaque mahogany tone with just shy of a finger tan head that lapses fairly quickly into a ring around the glass; decent lacing.

inviting nose advertises sweet, caramel malts, dark fruits, and some spice notes. pretty standard for a BSDA, though no shame in that. flavor doesn't follow the aroma too well; the malts, dark fruits, and spices are there, but something about the balance doesn't sit all too well with me. not picking up on huge hop characters despite the label's mention of them, though there is a touch of bitter hoppiness in the finish. also picking up on a bit of a metallic presence.

creamy, medium to full bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation. drinkable, enjoyable in the way mediocre pizza is enjoyable, but a pretty average tasting belgian strong dark ale - a style loaded with superstars.

originally reviewed: 01-03-2011

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 21:10:38 | More by BostonHops

beerdrifter

Germany

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at my favorite beer store in Belgium, Dranken Geers. Dark mahogany pour with one finger caramel colored head with decent retention and nice lacing. Big fruity, boozy, and spicy nose with lots of dark fruit along with hints of toast, molasses, espresso, and a bit of black licorice. The taste follows suit with the dark fruit dominating. Hints of raisins, plums, burnt toast, cinnamon, vanilla, dark chocolate, brown sugar, and booze. Can't speak to the presence or absence of the Juniper berries since I'm not familiar with the taste. The mouthfeel is slightly syrupy with a bit more carbonation than expected, with a tangy, bitter finish. No attempt to disguise the 8.3 ABV which gives it that nice subtle warming as it goes down. It definitely opens up as it comes to temperature and is surprisingly drinkable for as boozy as it was. Another solid offering from Brouwerij Kerkom!

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 15:47:22 | More by beerdrifter

RickS95

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Certainly looks the type--deep, dark brown, just shy of black. Slow forming head, neat to watch due to the contrast of the dark liquid mixing with the lighter bubbles. Little retention, and leaves almost nothing behind.

Has an almost smokey scent, light notes of coffee and dark chocolate, slightly malty with the faintest bit of fruit.

Only slight touches of everything found in the nose, but on the tongue the juniper berries finally make a presence with a hop-like piney taste.

Very little upfront, almost watered down before the good stuff comes on strong. Near the back of the tongue any sweetness turns to a smokey, bitter that clings to the tongue well into the swallow. Medium bodied with a slight pale ale finish.

This was pretty easy to drink. I've only had juniper berries one time before but this was more pronounced. The beer isn't something you can drink a lot of, but the bitter is mild and the high alcohol easily hidden.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 01:38:26 | More by RickS95

agreenman19

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +9%

04-01-2012 23:26:08 | More by agreenman19

heymikew

California

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

two time winner of the annual bars & brews bakeoff and winter beer tasting!
This is a great dark holiday beer and one of Kerkom's best!
cloudy and dark brown
Somewhat sweet, a bit earthy and plenty of dark fruit. A great choice for holiday beer trials

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 07:30:34 | More by heymikew

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bink Winterkoninkske
Brouwerij Kerkom

Appearance: Hazed ruby. Off white head. Retention OK. Good amount of lacing.

Smell: Malty, fruity. Some Belgian yeast qualities (fig, raisin, dark fruit)

Taste: Nice elements of juniper berry and bitter hops. Hops come off as woody and very earthy. Quite yeasty, with soft dark fruit notes. Finishes dry, chalky and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, well carbonated, semi dry.

Overall: A Belgian ale with considerable bitterness, juniper, and strength. Good use of juniper in a beer. Dig it.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 23:06:46 | More by Stinkypuss

SLeffler27

New York

3.98/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fills a Dogfish Head snifter ruddy, dark bronze with a modest fine almond head that leaves light lacing. There are tiny streams of carbonation within and a viscous film on the glass.

This one has a fruity, plum pudding nose with some brandy. The usual BSDA dark fruits are showcased, including dates and figs. This one is sweeter than most.

This was aged about a year and the flavors are not quite to style. It does somewhat follow the nose, vacillating between sweet candy sugar and light bitterness. The complexity works well with the subtle nuances as it warms. There is a light, lingering finish.

A full, luscious body with alcohol about as expected and a light, prickly carbonation.

This is a good, relaxed version of the style. Best after dinner or while enjoying the calmness of life.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 13:37:06 | More by SLeffler27