11.2 oz bottle, $6.99 from CBX, Charleston, SC, USA. Lot B 9 09.
Deweer’s ABB describes the name being derived from the brewer exclaiming, Tsjeese wat een lekker biertje, or “Gee, what a nice little beer”! I’m not about to disagree.
Pour offers up a clouded, well hazed orange body with some sticky lace and froth. Burnt marmalade in color.
Nose offers some fruit peel and perhaps a touch of spice but it’s not strong.
The tastes deliver some more, biter citrus notes including a lingering aftertaste. Touch of alcohol burn and some bracing acidity are also there. Even though the beer is described in many places as a “spiced” Christmas Ale, frankly it lacks some of the typical spice notes for me. Rather, the beer seems to deliver it’s very distinct character with lemons, oranges and grapefruits and a splash of sharp lime.
Some noble hop elements, more alcohol warmth and a light Belgian candy note round out the beer against the final flash of bitterness.
Complex beer – lot’s going on and NOT typical of a “spiced” beer at all. Coupled with the the fact this is definitely “pale” or “blond” (Christmas beers often often much darker malts), this beer is a bit of a surprise but drinks beautifully. Highly recommended.