The house beer of Gebrande Winning, the unsurpassed and pioneering beer restaurant in Sint-Truiden; enjoyed there as the 'apéritif' to a classy meal - and a truly wonderful evening. 'Champagnebier' is openly printed on the label - something the champagne producers in France will not be happy with (which is why other champagne beers are now obliged to call themselves 'bière brut'), but it advocates Raf Sainte's bold and uncompromizing approach to beer cuisine, something I can only applaud him for. Some loose off-white bubbles, but otherwise no true head; hazy yellow-golden blonde robe. Aroma of ripe honeydew, prosecco, sweaty abbey cheese, sugared fruit yoghurt, sweet ripe white grapes, rosé wine, kiwi sherbet, pineapple. Fruity onset with a tropical note, ripe pineapple, honeydew, yellow kiwi, even guava; fizzy - or indeed 'champenoise' - effervescence, smooth and bit vinous mouthfeel. A soft yoghurty sourishness accompanies a rounded white-bready pale malt sweet core, while this tropical and 'yellow' fruitiness remains as vibrant as it was, carried along into a festive, colourful, juicy finish, with a dash of warming calvados-like alcohol; especially the white grape element reaches a climax in the end. Very elegant, fruity, almost 'feminine' apéritif beer, well suited to open a delightful evening at this already legendary restaurant with its sympathetic chef and owner.

23/V/21 - 75cl bottle @ De Gebrande Winning (St. Truiden), BB: n/a (2021-422) Thanks to ElManana for sharing today’s beers!

Clear blond to straw yellow beer, small creamy white head, little stable, non adhesive. Aroma: fine yeast aroma, little fruity, some peaches and apricots, ripe pears, floral touch. MF: very lively fine carbonation, medium body. Taste: bit sweet, soft acidity, fruity, some peaches, bit sourish, nice! Aftertaste: more peaches and apricots, bit juicy, soft acidity, some yeast. Decent one.