Hi,
A most interesting beer comparing was done last week @ home !
Two different ('t) Smisje Kerst X-mas beers, brewed by Bruges' brewmaster Johan Brandt.
't Smisje Kerst, brewed in 2007 at Assebroek (Bruges) brewery De Regenboog, and the fresh Mater brewed Smisje Kerst version, brewed at Br. Smisje, the new location.

On the right side we see the "one year old" 't Smisje Kerst - brewed at bry. De Regenboog.
The bottle on the left side is the one that is brewed at Mater, and is called Smisje Kerst (without 't !)
Clicking on the picture - that shows the labels - will give a high-resolution image, so you can easily read what's been printed.
The main difference is ofcourse the brewing location, which is indicated below on the left side.

We already notice that the Regenboog-brewed X-mas beer is less darker in color.

First, I wanna stress that the Mater-brewed beer is way too young to fully appreciate it.
The foam production is not in a 100% optimal shape due to low carbonation, because bottle conditioning is still not finished.
So, concluding with "this beer is better than the other one" is complete nonsense.

More interesting are the taste/nose components that's been noticed.
The Regenboog-brewed beer is much more estery/flowery in the nose.
I detect more fresh "earthy" hop aromas in the Mater-brewed version, which ofcourse is quite understandable.

Tasting gave similar beers according recipe, i.e. malty, candy sugar, spices. Still the original recipe from New Yorker Bill Coleman, who also draws the Salty Dog comic strip figures on the Smisje labels.
The Regenboog 't Smisje Kerst has more creaminess and is nicely mellowed into a wonderful complex beer. Ageing has done a terrific job.
This, on the other hand, can not be said from the freshly brewed one. Too young which gave an unfinished, but still amazing delicious, somewhat sweeter beer.
The Mater beer doesn't have any ester components, which makes it non-flowery/fruity. 

Anyway, both beers are very well succeeded, and perfect strong alcoholic winter warmers. 11 vol% !
The Mater-brewed beer is a great surprise, and the proof that brewing at Mater has begun with producing already some fantastic quality !

Now, it's only a matter of ageing the Mater-brewed Smisje Kerst to fully appreciate its wonder of brewing.
X-mas 2008 should be the most PERFECT period.

Johan, congrats with the new brewery at Mater !! 

To be continued .......

www.smisje.be

Cheers,
Filip

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