Almost everyone who sees a bottle of Regenboog’s ‘t Smisje Guido is enamoured immediately. First of all, you have the awesome Belgian-style “stubby” bottle, which for my money is the greatest glass bottle around (with the 375ml champagne “split” bottles being a close second), and how could anyone look at that label and not love that face?
Guido was named after a famous Flemish poet, and is one of the many beers in Regenboog’s lineup to prominently feature “adjunct” ingredients that lend flavor, body, and aroma. Guido is blessed with honey and raisins, both of which serve to round out the alcohol and heaviness sometimes associated with the style, which I think most people would call a Dark Strong.
The honey and raisins are quite apparent in the nose, which has some really nice warm floral, sweet smells, with a dark bread accompaniment. The malt flavor of this beer is amazing, very deep and runs the gamut from rum raisin cake to a bit of chocolate, without the bitterness. There’s not much hop presence here, which is appropriate for the style, but there’s enough that this does not taste heavy or thick at all on the palate. Guido pours a beautiful deep brown color with a quickly fading head and a mild amount of carbonation. Very drinkable for the high ABV, and another sure winner from Regenboog, who takes advantage of locally available products to spice up their brews. Actually quite a poetic beer now that I think about it, and a wonderful way to honor a guy who’s poems I can’t read but manages tp communicates enough with his demure glance to at least last me until I can get my hands on another bottle.
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