[Trappist]

Written by Trappist   
Friday, 14 January 2011
Hi,
Belgium encounters a very "Straffe Winter" this time. Yes, a "Strong Winter" this means.
We've had massive snow a couple of weeks ago, and these days it seems rain doesn't want to stop at any time.
Yes, this definitely is one of the darkest winter periods here in Belgium, for ages.
What is more appropriate to warm things up with a good Belgian winter beer.

Straffe Winter from Gueuze blender 3 Fonteinen can do that trick with ease.





Folks, this is a Faro at 8 vol% ! Yes, you read that correct.

Dark "candy sugar sweetened Lambic" is to be called Faro, and this time 3 Fonteinen has bottled it into 75cl. volumes, sealed with a cork.

Main characteristics: Funkiness.

In this case, the funkiness (wild yeasts - barnyard/horse stable flavours) are well balanced with candy sugar sweetness, which makes this Lambic less sour and much more creamier.
This Lambic is still brewed by brewmaster Armand Debelder himself. Note that these days, Armand doesn't brew anymore on a commercially basis. Indeed, not that good news this is.
As so, brewery 3 Fonteinen has become Gueuze blender 3 Fonteinen, still producing some stunning top-quality.
And... that is exactly what this new strong Faro really is.

Interesting to mention that normal Lambic is brewed with only pale malts and wheat, but Armand also used - and this for this beer only - some amber and Munich malts.
Dark candy sugar to give it that pleasant sweetness, and creaminess, and finally that choice of one of the strongest Lambic vintages, additionally refermented in the bottle (a process of two summers) to make it a delicious strong winter warmer.
By the way, This beer is completely spontaneous fermented !

Glad to hear that it is already vastly exported, so the possibility to try it abroad has become a welcoming reality.

If you spot it, please give it a grab ......  !!!! After all, this is a one-time brew !

Cheers,
Filip

[Viv]

Hi Filip,

I was going to add my tasting notes.

Unfortunately, however, I haven't any because I only ever tasted this fantastic brew once
in 2011, like you, and I didn't start my tasting notes until 2013.

I do remember it as being a really top brew, still residing well within my all time Belgian Top100
Brews even now! I do remember it as well balanced, not too sour and not too sweet. Complex, layered
and almost full bodied; vinous.

I would love to be able to get a few bottles of this brew to try again, but it looks like that
is never going to happen sadly as it was just a one-off brew.

Cheers!


Viv



   
 











 

[Trappist]

I would love to be able to get a few bottles of this brew to try again, but it looks like that
is never going to happen sadly as it was just a one-off brew.

Hi Viv,
I was thinking that maybe, 3 Fonteinen will at some point re-brew a new batch, but then I realized that brewmaster Armand Debelder isn't amongst us anymore, and it was he who brewed it. 
I wonder what happens with all those precious recipes? Has Armand written them down for future re-brewings?
If not, than it sure won't be re-brewed anymore with that same recipe 
Cheers,
Filip