Lying in the barrel

Beer Advocate Review #270

2011-05-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Beer: Duchesse De Bourgogne
Brewery: Brouwerij Verhaeghe
Style: Flanders Red Ale
ABV: 6.2%
Serving: Bottle
Score: B+

Enjoyed this last night.

Poured from a 330ml. bottle, best before 13-05-11 (my last day at work!).

Appearance: Loads of tiny bubbles fill a murky brown-red body with off-white foam that just sits there with amazing retention and spidery lacing.

Smell: Vinegary a bit with some oak, sour cherries and a sweetness to round it off.

Taste: A mix of sweet and tart with some oak. Low on the vinegar and has a slight wine reminiscence (my daughter said that!) with some sour cherries. Quite good.

Mouthfeel: Very low carbonation with a bit of a thin body but not much. A very mellow feel.

Overall: A pleasant little beer. Not too harsh. I would certainly try this again.

Beer Advocate Review #269

2011-05-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

Beer: Belle Saison
Brewery: A l'abri de la Tempête
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer
ABV: 5.8%
Serving: Bottle
Score: B

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, bottled April 2011.

Appearance: A clear yellow body with a very white and generous head that reduces itself to one then next to nothing after.

Smell: Citrusy and flowery mostly with some honey sweetness.

Taste: Aromatic in flavor with a tinge of sweetness, citrus fruit, herbs, grassy and maybe honey.

Mouthfeel: Brief snap of carbonation with a light body though still robust enough. It has the feel of a cask ale a bit as well.

Overall: A refreshing summer beer that is not perfect but still pleasant. Easily drinkable despite the average mouthfeel.

Dieu du Ciel's Chaman

2011-05-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

This highly regarded DIPA is coming out in bottles for general distribution next week! Very much looking forward to trying this beer. Seek it out hopheads!

Beer Advocate Review #268

2011-05-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

Beer: Helm Cream Ale
Brewery: Helm Brasseur Gourmand
Style: Cream Ale
ABV: ?
Serving: Tap
Score: B-

Appearance: 1 finger's worth of creamy white foam that coats the glass on the way down. Body is the color of caramelized sugar.

Smell: A malt nose that is way too discreet.

Taste: Roasted a bit but loads of smooth malt and a slight underlying bitterness. Some nuts, graininess and a light hop bite. As it warmed, a sort of tropical fruit aspect came out especially highlighted by the cheeses we had.

Mouthfeel: Smooth feel with a decent strength of body. Carbonation was also good.

Overall: Not bad at all and easily drinkable. I could see myself trying this again.

Beer Advocate Review #267

2011-05-05T05:20:00.001-07:00

Beer: Sainte Source Belge
Brewery: Brasseurs De La Mauricie
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
ABV: 8%
Serving: Bottle
Score: B-

Shared with my wife last night over our take-out Chinese.

Poured from a 500ml. bottle.

Appearance: A light honey-brown body with lots of sticky white foam and average retention. Pretty good coating all down the glass.

Smell: Banana, spices, yeast, bubble gum and citrus. Very good aroma.

Taste: Starts with a bit of sugar and banana. A bit peppery in the end and my wife gets smoked gouda. The flavors feel muted and not very lively.

Mouthfeel: Smooth but lacks real depth. Medium carbonation but the body is a bit watery.

Overall: Glimmers of being good at first but overall this Belgian-style ale falls too short.

Beer Advocate Review #266

2011-05-05T05:18:00.001-07:00

Beer: Rosée d'hibiscus
Brewery: Dieu du Ciel!
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer
ABV: 5.9%
Serving: Bottle
Score: B

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, bottled March 2011.

Appearance: A dark pinkish body that resembles pureed strawberries with a light pink head (3 fingers). Retention is good and lacing is average.

Smell: Wheat aroma, very crisp with herbal and ripe fruit overtones.

Taste: A bit of sweetness tucked in the back but very leafy with some slight tropical fruit and plant stems. Overripe fruit (strawberries?) and some mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is quite low and the feel is very easy. It's refreshing though it lacks a bit of a lively punch.

Overall: Certainly different and it's easy to drink. While good, it doesn't really grab me. This would be good with a sunny day rather than the down pour we're getting.

La Succursale is almost open.

2011-05-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

According to a tweet they just released, Montreal's newest brewpub will be opening May 16, 2011. They'll be @ 3188 Masson in Vieux-Rosemont. Looking forward to checking them out!

http://twitter.com/#!/LaSuccursale

Beer Advocate Review #265

2011-05-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

Beer: Hoppy Feet 1.5
Brewery: Clown Shoes
Style: Black Ale
ABV: 11%
Serving: Bottle
Score: A

Big thanks to my wife for picking this up for me in Albany. Shared with her while eating pizza.

Poured from a bomber, bottled end of Mar. 2011.

Appearance: 3/4 of the glass fills up with light mocha colored foam and gradually a brown-black body is seen. The head sits still at a good 3 fingers and there's lacing all the way down. Couldn't ask for better.

Smell: Oily hops, resiny, more mango than melon and some coffee as it warms.

Taste: Strong hit of hops mixed with roasted flavors and coffee but as it progresses, hops become the dominant player. Juicy and pulpy goodness. Very satisfying.

Mouthfeel: Incredible balance that shifts a bit to the bitterness side though as it warms. The feel is everywhere in the palate and it lasts long after the final sip.

Overall: This is an awesome beer. Very drinkable despite the ABV though make no mistake, this beer is big on the bitterness and flavor. Grab this if you see it. It's worth it!

Beer Advocate Review #264

2011-05-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Beer: Patriote (red label)
Brewery: Brasseurs Illimités
Style: Amber/Red Ale
ABV: 4.9%
Serving: Bottle
Score: C+

Had this with some pizza.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle.

Appearance: Lightly tan foam, easily 3-4 fingers and quite creamy with a light brown barley red body. Retention is better than the other Patriote and stays @ 1 finger then half of one.

Smell: Caramel malt, some nuttiness. Not half bad.

Taste: Crystal malt, caramel, nutty and even maybe a whisper of hops. Pretty decent.

Mouthfeel: Cream, carbonation is average and the body is quite smooth and pleasant with some low bitterness thrown in there.

Overall: Better than the Blonde one for sure. I might even try this again and is a better alternative to Rickard's.

Beer Advocate Review #263

2011-05-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

Beer: Patriote (yellow label)
Brewery: Brasseurs Illimités
Style: Blonde Ale
ABV: 4.9%
Serving: Bottle
Score: C-

Had this with some pizza.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle.

Appearance: An eggshell with head, 3 fingers with a body the color of light ginger ale. The foam is gone in less than 1 minute.

Smell: Malt nose, clean with maybe a hint of hops?

Taste: No hops in sight, all malt with light grain, corn and a bit of skunkiness that thankfully disappears fast. This is all faint and hard to grasp.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation, some claminess and an otherwise decent body.

Overall: Uninteresting and disappointing. Nothing off but nothing lively either.

Beer Advocate Review #262

2011-05-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Beer: Loch Ness
Brewery: Brasseurs RJ
Style: Scotch Ale
ABV: 6%
Serving: Bottle
Score: C+

Had this some pasta.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle.

Appearance: 4 fingers worth of light tan foam with an amber-red body. Retention is average as it dissipates within 1-2 minutes.

Smell: Toasted malt, caramel and a metallic twang. Some smoky ash also.

Taste: Caramel malt, some spiciness in the tail end and a hint of smokiness that as it warms turns into like an ashtray-like aspect. Mildly unpleasant though not pervasive.

Mouthfeel: Body feels a little thin but it's decent. Feels like a light scotch ale.

Overall: Seems kind of like an ashy vienna lager. Decent but nothing more.

Beer Advocate Review #261

2011-05-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

Beer: La Grivoise de Noel
Brewery: Le Trou Du Diable
Style: Belgian Dark Ale
ABV: 9.5%
Serving: Bottle
Score: B

***2009 Vintage***

Shared with my wife last night.

Poured from a 500ml. bottle.

Appearance: Creamy foam fills 3/4 of the glass and gradually recedes. Body is a light brown, very hazy looking and has some ruby red tinges. Retention is good though not much lacing.

Smell: Spices with a slight sweetness but way too discreet for my taste. As it warms, a sugary and caramel aroma but still not very strong.

Taste: Sugar, candy and a nice spicy finish. Really feels like candy on the lips. Some dried fruit and heavy on the malt. Not really cloying.

Mouthfeel: Mellow, smooth and a very low carbonation. Warming and really coats the mouth. Body is medium.

Overall: A nice ale but i was a little let down taste-wise though i can't really pin down why. Still remains a tasty beer and worth trying.

Le Mondial Beer List - Personal Thoughts

2011-04-29T09:07:00.001-07:00

http://festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca/pdf/mondialbiere_exposants-plan-bieres2011.pdf

Lots of good beer here. 2 Petit PubS (one European, one Oktoberfest) with loads of new arrivals to Montreal like Acorn, Fyne Ales, Badger, Moor Beer, Thornbridge and others from the U.K. Some Brazilian breweries also like Bamberg, Bodebrown and Dado Bier. On the Northe American side: Barley Days, Central City, Flying Monkeys, Dragonmead, Moonlight & Pike are just a sampling of what'll be available.

Highlights for me:

Central City - Love the IPA and never tried the ESB so i'll go for that for sure. Too bad they only have two beers available
Flying Monkeys Smashbomb - Lots of hype and controversy surrounding this one so i definitely want to see what the fuss is about.
Moonlight Brewing - Their beers seem highly regarded and i don't know much about them so i might have to check them out
Brasseurs du Monde - Not opened yet but they'll be pouring 4 beers so it should be interesting
Trou Du Diable Nez de Poivrot - Definitely want to check this one out
Boquebiere - They have lots of beers to choose from so one or two might be interesting
Cheval Blanc Saison Framboise et Brett - Sounds good!

Huh?:

Brasseurs de Montreal: 4 fruits beers? Hopefully it doesn't veer into alcopop territory. Seems odd but it'll probably work seeing as it's "summery"

It''l be fun and i'm looking forward to see how it plays out at Place Bonaventure.

Oak-Aged Baltic Porter from Les Trois Mousquetaires

2011-04-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to trying this! No dates or selling points have been announced yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBXoOvrDW_0

Interview with Trou Du Diable's Isaac Tremblay

2011-04-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to talk to Isaac Tremblay, part owner of the microbrewery Le Trou du Diable, via telephone. He was drinking during our interview their first attempt at a SMaSH IPA (Single Malt Single Hop), this one 100% Citra and 100% Golden Promises. The lucky guy!

What led you to open your own micro-brewery?

Well first, it should be noted that the brewer is André. He’d been brewing at home for awhile and he did so well that I thought it was a sin for him to brew in secret! After that, it took about 5 years before the microbrewery opened its doors.

This brings me to my next question. What challenges have you encountered?

Full of tragedies! But seriously, we had plenty of energy and we were young but we didn’t have many funds and no experience in this type of project. He had to work hard and we would often find funding only to lose it then regain it again. There were also some partners who came and went. The financial advisors did not understand why we wanted to do this because the brewing scene was not what it is today.

Why open in Shawinigan?

I come from the area and I wanted to raise my children and live my life in this area. Back in the day, I would go down on weekends to visit my father in the woods and I thought it would be cool if a microbrewery as in the area. The industrial city of Shawinigan was being remade in beauty and the quality of life was easier there.

Is there a possibility of a second location?

A franchise tempts me more or less. It will require a lot of involvement because the owner (me) must hands on and make sure the same quality as the original is being maintained. So to make a 2 hour drive to watch a new location while sharing my time with the Trou du Diable in Shawinigan and my family, this is not something that interests me for now. Although this is not definitive, for the moment it is not in our plans.

What excites you about the brewing scene in Quebec?

What I like most is the trend of Quebecers to be more open to microbreweries. The fact is that there is now an option or alternative available to people which is very interesting. It also opens the door to tourists and it gives people a certain pride in having a local brewery.

What are your plans for the year 2011?

We would definitely like to expand. We currently are 5 in a space of 20 'x 20'! We are always growing and we would like to stabilize this year. We would like to have space for a shop, perhaps a showcase so people can see us at work and also offer guided tours. Obviously, this is still in the early stages of planning. What is certain is that we are targeting 2012 for our new facility which will greatly increase our ability to bottle. We also seek to grow our ability to make oak-aged beers. We are at 32 barrels and we hope soon to be 60.

In distribution, what explains that your beers are available only in some places?

We prefer to offer our bottles only a few places for now because the demand does not meet what we can offer at the moment. We prefer to offer more cases to a few places then to thin out the selection across the city. In Montreal, there’s Dépanneur Peluso, Les Délires du Terroir and William Walter in Mont-Royal. There’s also La Barik in Trois-Rivières and in Shawinigan, there are a few select locations where our beers are available.

Is it possible to buy directly from bottles at the brewery?

Not for the moment except for special events like our 5th anniversary.

Speaking of bottled beers, beers what we can expect to see in the coming months?

We have a few projects. L’Amère Indienne and P’tite Buteuse are two of them. We’ll also have l’Impératrice which is an imperial stout oak-aged in bourbon barrels as well as le Nez de Poivrot, a maple barleywine oak-aged in Jack Daniels barrels. Also, we hope to offer the Dulcis Succubus on a regular basis.

A few quick questions:

What is your preferred style?

Currently, I would say IPAS. I also like stouts and this style is one that I will always try when I go to a brewery for the first time.

Your least favorite style?

Brown beers and Belgians @ 7% or 8%. It lacks hops!

What styles have you never brewed or haven’t for a long time?

Black IPAs for sure. There was also barleywines but that’s done now. We would also like to play with lagers, but we lack time and space to do so. When our new plant will be built, we will definitively brew some. We should be brewing soon Roggnroll, a Roggenbier we had brewed for our 2nd anniversary and which drew inspiration from the band that played at our party.

Finally, what role do you think social networks can play in your business?

It is a very good way to reach our customers. We see Facebook as the hook that draws people to our website. There may be 2000 members but if only half can be aware, this is a big plus. Also, we hope to revampe our website soon.

Isaac and André enjoying a Cantillon Rosée de Gambrinus after an afternoon’s work.

Entrevue avec Isaac Tremblay du Trou du Diable

2011-04-28T05:26:00.001-07:00

La semaine dernière, j’ai eu l’occasion de m’entretenir avec Isaac Tremblay, le directeur de la micro-brasserie Le Trou Du Diable, par téléphone. Il buvait justement pendant notre entrevue leur première aventure avec une SMaSH IPA (Single Malt Single Hop), celle-ci 100% Citra et 100% Golden Promises. Le chanceux!

Qu’est-ce qui t’a amené à ouvrir ta propre micro-brasserie?

Bien premièrement, il faut préciser que c’est André le brasseur. Ca faisait assez longtemps qu’il brassait à la maison et il le faisait tellement bien que je lui disais que c’était un pêché de brasser en cachette! Ensuite, cela a pris 5 ans avant que la micro-brasserie ouvre ses portes.

Ce qui m’amène a ma prochaine question. Quels défis avez-vous rencontrés?

Pleins de tragédies! Mais sérieusement, nous avions plein d’énergie et nous étions jeunes mais nous n’avions pas une cenne et pas d’expérience dans ce type de projet. Il a fallu travailler dure et souvent nos trouvions du financement pour après le perdre et ensuite le retrouver. Il y a eu aussi des partenaires qui sont venus et partis. Les financiers ne comprenaient pas pourquoi nous voulions faire ceci car la scène brassicole n’était pas ce qu’elle est aujourd’hui.

Pourquoi ouvrir à Shawinigan?

Je viens du coin un peu et j’avais envie d’élever mes enfants et vivre ma vie dans ce coin. Dans le temps, je descendais la fin de semaine pour visiter mon père dans le bois et je me disais que ca prendrais une micro-brasserie dans le coin. La ville industrielle de Shawinigan se refaisait en beauté et la vie de qualité était plus facile là.

Y’a-t-il une possibilité d’ouvrir une 2^e succursale?

Une franchise me tente plus ou moins. Ca va demander beaucoup d’implication car c’est le propriétaire qui doit perfectionner le tout et s’assurer la même qualité que l’original. Alors, faire 2 heures de route pour surveiller un nouvel emplacement tout en partageant mon temps avec Le Trou Du Diable à Shawinigan et ma famille, ce n’est pas quelque chose qui m’intéresse présentement. Bien que ce ne soit pas définitif, pour l’instant ce n’est pas dans nos plans.

Qu’est-ce qui t’excite dans le milieu brassicole à Québec?

Ce que j’aime c’est surtout la tendance des québécois d’être plus ouvert aux micro-brasseries. Le fait que maintenant il y a une option ou alternative offert aux gens est intéressant. Ca ouvre aussi la porte aux touristes and ca donne une certaine fierté d’avoir une brasserie locale.

Quels son vos projets pour l’année 2011?

Nous voudrions définitivement agrandir. Nous sommes présentement 5 dans un espace de 20’ x 20’! Nous sommes toujours en croissance et on cherche à se stabiliser cette année. Nous aimerions avoir un espace pour une boutique, peut-être une vitrine pour que les gens puissent nous voir a l’œuvre et aussi offrir des visites guidées. Évidemment, ceci est sous toutes réserves. Ce qui est sur, c’est que nous visons 2012 pour notre nouvelle usine qui va grandement augmenter notre capacité d’embouteiller. Nous cherchons aussi à grossir notre capacité de faire des bières en fut de chêne. Nous sommes à 32 barils et nous espérons être à 60 bientôt.

Côté distribution, qu’est-ce qui explique que vos bières sont disponibles dans seulement quelques endroits?

Nous préférons offrir nos bouteilles a seulement quelques endroits pour l’instant car la demande ne rencontre pas se que nous pouvons offrir. Nous préférons offrir plusieurs caisses à quelques endroits que de repartir au compte-gouttes à toutes les places. Présentement à Montréal, il y a Dépanneur Peluso, Les Délires du terroir et la Saurisserie William-Walter a Mont-Royal. Il y a aussi La Barik à Trois-Rivières et à Shawinigan, il y a quelques endroits où nos bières sont disponibles ainsi que trois points de vente à Québec.

Est-ce possible d’acheter directement des bouteilles à la brasserie?

Pour l’instant non sauf pour des événements spéciaux comme notre 5^e anniversaire.

Parlant de bières embouteillées, quelles bières pouvant nous s’attendre à voir dans les prochains mois?

Nous avons quelques projets. L’Amère Indienne et la P’tite Buteuse en sont deux. Il a aussi l’Impératrice qui est une Stout Impériale vieillit en fut de bourbon et qui est prévu pour cet été ainsi que le Nez de Poivrot, une Barleywine a l’érable vieillit dans des barils de Jack Daniels. Aussi, nous espérons offrir la Dulcis Succubus sur une base régulière.

Quelques questions en rafale :

Quel est ton style préféré?

Présentement les IPAS. J’aime aussi bien les stouts et c’est surtout le style que j’essaye toujours quand je vais dans une brasserie pour la première fois.

Ton style les moins préféré?

Les bières brunes et les Belges @ 7% ou 8%. Il manque d’houblon!

Quels styles qu’il vous reste à faire ou que vous n’avez pas brassé depuis longtemps?

Les Black IPAs. Il y avait les Barleywines mais ca c’est fait. Nous aimerions jouer avec les lagers mais nous manquons de temps et d’espace pour en faire. Quand notre nouvelle usine sera bâtit, nous allons définitivement en brasser. Nous devrions brasser prochainement la Roggnroll, une Roggenbier que nous avions brassé pour notre 2^e anniversaire et qui tirait son inspiration du groupe de musique qui avait joué à notre soirée.

Finalement, quel rôle pensez-vous que les réseaux sociaux peuvent jouer dans votre entreprise?

C’est une très bonne manière d’atteindre notre clientèle. On voit Facebook comme une manière de garde le contact avec nos clients de manière quotidienne et de les référer à notre site web pour plus de détails. C’est un vrai privilège d’être en contact étroit avec 2000 de nos « fans ». En plus, on travaille présentement sur notre nouveau site web qui sera en interaction avec le web 2.0.

Isaac et André degustant une Cantillon Rosée de Gambrinus en fin de journée de travail.

Beer Advocate Review #260

2011-04-19T12:59:00.001-07:00

Beer: La Buteuse (regular version)
Brewery: Le Trou Du Diable
Style: Tripel
ABV: 10%
Serving: Bottle
Score: A-

***2010 Vintage***

Had this last night while watching Game 3 of the Habs-Bruins series. Shared a little with my wife.

Poured from a 500ml. bottle.

Appearance: Easily 4 fingers worth of white foam that refuses to budge. Very slowly recedes with incredible lacing and a patchwork of fluffiness. Body is a nice honey color.

Smell: Estery, fruit, banana with a slight touch of honey. Quite aromatic.

Taste: A nice spicy bite at the start with a hint of cloves. Banana with some tropical fruit. Ar room temp, some orange is noticeable.

Mouthfeel: A solid, strong body yet quite mellow. Carbonation is active but doesn't hurt the palate. Some underlying bitterness is also present.

Overall: A very nice tripel. Not expansive but pleasing nonetheless. Worth getting for sure.

Beer Advocate Review #259

2011-04-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Beer: Sèv
Brewery: Brasseurs Illimités
Style: American Amber/Red Ale
ABV: 6.9%
Serving: Bottle
Score: C+

A collaboration beer with La Famille Constantin, a sugar shack in the vicinity of the brewery. Billed as an ale eustachoise.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle.

Appearance: 3 fingers worth of light tan head that reduces itself more quickly than i would have liked to barely a finger. Body is a dark amber hue.

Smell: At first, faint maple with some nuttiness. Warming up, i get some boiling in a pot maple but it's still way to low key.

Taste: Grainy, not much maple at first. Malty than a bit aggressive bitterness-wise than as it nears room temperature it becomes quite mellow. The maple is too much of a minor player to register.

Mouthfeel: Some bitterness that smooths out. Carbonation is average to low.

Overall: Definitely let this one warm up as it gets mildly better. Still, there's not much to differentiate this from any other amber ale. Not worth revisiting for me.

Beer Advocate Review #258

2011-04-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Beer: Four
Brewery: Allagash
Style: Quad
ABV: 10%
Serving: Bottle
Score: A-

***Batch 16***

Thanks to Masterski for this one. Shared with a few family members last Saturday. Notes are brief due to having many people around.

Poured from a 750ml. bottle.

Appearance: Pours a nice amber-brown body with a 2 fingers head. Really coasts the glass all around.

Smell: Sweetness and some dark fruits.

Taste: Dark fruits, brown sugar and one family member metions molasses though i can't detect that.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is good and very smooth and creamy all around.

Overall: A very nice beer that was a hit with the family. The ABV is very well hidden. A top notch brew.

Hopfenstark is popping up!

2011-04-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Bottles of Hopfenstark seem to be returning to select shelves in Montreal. Saison Station 16 & 55, Baltic Porter de L'Ancrier, Boson Higgs (a hybrid of Berliner Weiss & smoked beer) and Helles. Returning on the shelves this week is Post Colonial. Want to know where to buy them? Here's a few places. Call ahead as they sell out fast!

Dépanneur Peluso (Montreal, Qc.)
Épicerie Veux-tu Une Bière? (Montreal, Qc.)
La Barik (Trois-Rivieres, Qc.)
Possibly: Le Grand Duc (Longueuil, Qc.)

Beer Advocate Review #257

2011-04-12T09:44:00.001-07:00

Beer: Blanche Belge Classique
Brewery: AMB l Maître Brasseur
Style: Witbier
ABV: 5%
Serving: Bottle
Score: C-

Shared with my wife while eating pork chops and apple sauce.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, best before May 2011 (or June. Hard to tell where the notch lands).

Appearance: A very white head that is easily 3-4 fingers and lasts quite a while. The body is a hazy lemonade color.

Smell: Extremely faint aroma. Kind of like fruit but it's barley a whisper. Has a slight crisp aroma then poof!, nothing.

Taste: Citrus with faint spices. Maybe some orange. Not offensive but very boring.

Mouthfeel: Better than the taste. Average carbonation makes it a little lively and an average body makes it decent but it's still too bland.

Overall: Too ho-hum. There are better witbiers out there so don't bother with this one.

Beer Advocate Review #256

2011-04-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

Beer: Kasteel Tripel
Brewery: Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck N.V.
Style: Tripel
ABV: 11%
Serving: Bottle
Score: B-

Picked this up in Daytona, FL @ an ABC store in Sept. 2008. Shared with my wife last night over our supper which was chicken, mashed potatoes & green beans.

Poured from an 11.2oz. bottle, best before 10-2009.

Appearance: 2-3 fingers worth of foam that disappears in the blink of an eye. It has a dusty gold color and little flecks of sediment floating around which i always like. Not the best of appearances.

Smell: Apples, sourish a little which scares me but it gets better with some assorted fruit & spices.

Taste: Pears and banana with a good yeast presence and a slight peppery finish. As it warms, a honey-like texture and flavor develops. No tartness thankfully.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is prickly with some zest. Body is quite full in the mouth.

Overall: Not bad actually. I was a bit apprehensive at first but it turned out ok. The ABV is extremely well hidden and not felt at all. Worth checking out.

Beer Advocate Review #255

2011-04-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

Beer: La Morsure
Brewery: Le Trou Du Diable
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Serving: Bottle
Score: B+

Thanks to Yoonisaykul for this one. Shared some with my wife last night with out take-out pizza.

Poured from a 500ml. bottle bottled Feb. 2011 (the highlighter marking is actually past the 10 since the label doesn't have an 11).

Appearance: Massive foam that takes 3/4 of the glass. Not a big fan of that but that's the only knock as the retention is great with spider web-like lacing all over. The body is a burnt orange color and very hazy, kind of like light colored pulped apple cider.

Smell: Resiny, hoppy with orange and tangerine and some sugar to it.

Taste: Not too bitter to start off but a decent amount of hops with some sugar sweetness in the tail end. As it warms, it actually gets more bitter a bit with a staying power on the lips and lots of fleshy fruit.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is slightly high for my taste but it's an otherwise well-balanced body.

Overall: A solid IPA with a good hoppy profile that doesn't necessarily knock your teeth out. Get it fresh for sure. EDIT: I have to knock off half a point in the Overall category because the price is kind of high for an IPA.

Beer Advocate Review #254

2011-03-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

Beer: Doppelbock Dunkel
Brewery: Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg
Style: Doppelbock
ABV: 8.5%
Serving: Bottle

Thanks to derek for this one. Had it last night with my supper, grilled broccoli and orange chicken.

Poured from a 330ml. bottle, best before 02.2010.

Appearance: A thick oatmeal colored head (3 fingers) with a heavily tinted reddish body(semi-opaque) and decent staying power.

Smell: Dark fruit with a bit of liquor. Musty a little.

Taste: Slight wood and dark fruits mostly at first. This is malt all the way though it's pleasant. Sweet but not cloying. A spicy, herbal finish that at first was hard to pinpoint but it's definitely mint.

Mouthfeel: Practically no carbonation and very smooth. A nice warmth at the end.

Overall: I really dug this one. Considering the age, it held up well.

Beer Advocate Review #253

2011-03-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Beer: Saison Deluxe
Brewery: Southampton Publick House
Style: Saison
ABV: 7.4%
Serving: Bottle

Thanks to jzeillinger for this one. Shared with a friend last night over some pappardelle and salad. Some notes are succinct due to having friends over.

Poured from a 750ml. bottle, best before 12/10/14.

Appearance: A bright golden body that becomes progressively hazy as we near the end of the bottle. The first pour was almost all foam but my friend's glass was better. Fluffy clouds of head last quite a while.

Smell: Fruity, slight yeast and pepper.

Taste: Strong pepper though not overbearing and some lemon.

Mouthfeel: Zesty and lively with prickly carbonation and a very nice body all around.

Overall: Refreshing and tasty. I would have this again for sure.