Witches’ Brew
I picked up this bottle of Witches’ Brew at Chips Beer and Wine at mile post six in the Outer Banks and brought it home with me last week. Even before I started to do some research on the brew, but after the first couple of sips, my immediate impression was that this sort of tasted like a lighter Gulden Draak — a beer that has treated me quite well through the years. My assumption couldn’t have been any closer to the truth as both beers are brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge.
Witches’ Brew isn’t quite as good as it’s darker brother, but this 9.3% ABV Tripel (though tastes more like a Golden Ale) still delivers a solid flavor profile and enough boozy warmth to keep you snug on the coldest of nights.
Appearance
The beer pours a golden amber in color with a large, fluffy white head that fell slowly to a thin surface cover and sparse lacing.
Aroma
Peppery yeast, green apple, booze, spices, subtle grass/hay notes and a little lemony citrus fill the nose invitingly.
Taste
This beer is big, boozy and sweet. It’s much like Gulden Draak in it’s up-front, forward presentation of flavors — it doesn’t try and hide anything, instead delivering it with little pretense. Loads of apple, herbal/spice notes, peppery yeast and a subtle, though welcome hop bitterness that lingers ever so slightly in the warming finish.
Overall
This is a bold beer. It doesn’t mess around at all and should be approached as such. It only took me a couple of sips to realize that I was in for a handful. In the end the beer had plenty to offer and warmed nicely in the glass, though I would suggest cellaring it for a bit to allow it to mature and settle down some. Still, a tasty brew.
Rating:4/5
