SMISJE WOSTYNTJE

Like my previous entry from Smisje (Catherine) this is also a beer that sadly is no longer brewed, so each time one is tasted it's one crossed off forever.

Originating in 1995, the brewery was set up by former printer and home brewer Johan Brandt, Smisje started life as De Regenboog (the rainbow) the name of his former printing business and was located in the West Flanders town of Assenbroek, a suburb of Bruges. His first commercial beer was simply called 't Smisje (little blacksmith) the name of a local landmark blacksmiths house near the breweries original location.

In 2008 the brewery relocated to the village of Mater in Oudenaarde, East Flanders and with that move came a new name Smisje. Despite its small size Smisje kept a handful of beers in regular production but also a large variety of seasonal and commissioned brews - many of which feature honey, flowers, berries and spices, largely due to the fact that Johan is also a keen bee keeper.

Smisje Blonde - brewed with linden blossom
Honingbeer - brewed with honey
Sleedoornbier - brewed with sloe berries
Vuuvre - brewed with coriander and orange peel
Wostyntje - brewed with Tourhout mustard seeds
Guido - brewed with honey and raisins
BBBourgondier - brewed with valerian root and lemon balm

In 2010 it was announced that Johan would be discontinuing all the current line up and focus on a new hoppy blonde called Smiske, the only beer that would be saved is the Christmas brew now called KerstSmiske.


So now I open one of my two remaining bottles of Wostyntje, when will I open my last remaining bottle...I don't know, will I see it again on our next visit to Bruges.....I hope so.

Pours a hazy bright amber topped off with a huge, creamy, long lasting white head (like the Catherine it took 3 pours to fill the glass)
Interesting aroma of malts, bread, fruits, spice (mustard?) with a slight sharp hoppy finish.
Taste starts with yeast and sweet candy sugar then you get the mustard spice filling the mouth, along with it the heat - but more in the background, not smack you in the face (no this isn't a beer with a dollop of Colemans stirred in) the mustard is perfectly balanced, any more would render the beer undrinkable.


http://www.smisje.be/