1ST & 3RD ~ LEFT FIELD BREWING

Left Field Brewery is celebrating their third anniversary with the release of two beers: 1st and 3rd, a Berliner Weisse and an anniversary saison. I was quite excited to try both of these, as I have been impressed with many of Left Field’s brews. Sampled from a 650 mL bottle the beer poured an opaque light golden straw colour with a white head, which left a nice cap of the beer. The nose contained lots of cereal grains, lemon and a slight sulphur smell. The beer was not as sour and tart as I am used to in a Berliner, though the lactobacillus was evident. The palette had lots of dry cereal, wort, some bready yeastiness and citrusy lemon. As it warmed, there was a subtle sweetness that emerged. The flavour, which seemed very ‘young,’ grew on me during the second half of the bottle. Left Field has brewed this using a kettle-soured mash made from their house strain of lactobacillus and 50% wheat. Both Belgian and American yeasts were also used. This Berliner lacks some complexity, is not my favourite example of this style, but is not bad either.

4% from Toronto, Ontario 8 IBU

PHOTO: LEFT FIELD BREWERY

GATEWAY KOLSCH ~ SAWDUST CITY

This beer is a Kölsch styled beer (lagered-ale). This style originate in Koln Germany. Sawdust City ages their Kölsch a little longer than the style would call for, to mellow out the flavours and make this an easy drinking sessionale beer. I wonder if the “Gateway” in the name is the gateway to introduce people into craft beers. Sampled on draft this beer poured a clear light golden yellow with a puffy white head. The nose was very mild with hints of straw and citrus. Taste too was very mild. There was a pleasant crisp pilsner like quality, a little sweetness, a hint of noble hops and a crisp finish. The bitterness was very low, the body was light and the carbonation was medium high. This is a simple, very quaffable easy drinking summer beer.

WATER: Pure Muskoka Water
BARLEY/MALT: Canadian 2-row barley, wheat
HOPS: magnum, spalt
YEAST: California ale

20 IBU 5% from Gravenhurst, Ontario

FARM TABLE PILS ~ BEAU’S

This farm table pils in the third beer released in for Beau’s Fe’brew’ary 2016 and is another in their series of ‘farm table’ beers. The farm table series are meant to be sessionable and brewed true to their traditional style. This pils is brewed in the North German Style. Sampled on draught, this beer pours a golden straw colour, with a durable white frothy head. As the head dissipated it left some thin webby lacing. The aroma is mild with notes of bready grains and malts, pilsner hops, grass, and a light herbal notes. The flavour follows much of what the nose suggests: bready grains, grass, light hebalness and a crisp clean finish. The moderate hop bitterness is nicely balanced with subtle malt sweetness. This pils has a medium body and carbonation; it is easy drinking and refreshing. A nice example of the style,

4.9% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario 30 IBU

ROASTED WALNUT BOURBON AGED PORTER ~ OAST HOUSE

When I walked into my local, the Bartender, ran over and told me I couldn’t order until I had tried this one. She remembered that I liked my porters and this was a new addition to the taps. Sampled on draught, this porter was one boozy treat! The beer poured very dark brown with a small off white head. There was tons of bourbon on the nose, along with roasted malts, subtle nuttiness, vanilla and coffee. The taste was incredibly full flavoured and rich. Chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit give way to a subtle nuttiness, barrel oakiness, and caramel sweetness mid sip. The malt backbone emerges into a hoppy finish followed by an aftertaste of bourbon. The bitterness is perfect in this porter and compliments the vanilla and bourbon notes. Thought this porter is already high in alcohol (7.2%) I think it tastes even boozier. The walnuts this porter was made with are all from the Niagara on the Lake region and were toasted in house.

7.2 % from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

PHOTO : OAST HOUSE INSTAGRAM

WELLINGTON SPA ~ WELLINGTON

This SPA is Wellington Brewery’s best selling beer. Its recipe is patterned on British Pale Ales, with malty grains balanced with delicate hops. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a slightly cloudy amber honey colour with a rich white froth, which left minimal lacing as the head disappeared. The nose contained notes of light roasted malts, delicate florals, caramel, earthiness and English hops (much more delicate than their North American cousins). The taste has roasted malts in the foreground with a touch of caramel and a very subtle nuttiness. The malts were balanced with bitterness from laid back, spicy English Hops. The body is light, there is medium to low carbonation and the beer has a pleasant creaminess. A good traditional offering from Wellington Brewery. Quite sessionable.
4.5% from Guelph, Ontario 22 IBU

MIDNIGHT KISSED THE COW ~ BIG RIG

Midnight Kissed the Cow is a double chocolate milk stout out of our Nation’s capital. Sampled on draught the stout poured a very dark mahogany colour with mocha coloured head that left lovely lacing. The nose contained sweet chocolate, roasted malts, lactose, subtle coffee, vanilla and light hops. Chocolate was the dominant taste, with creamy notes (the beer is made with Belgian cocoa and sweet milk sugar). Light coffee, roasted malts and vanilla were also evident. Low bitterness and creamy mouthfeel finished the beer. A very pleasant full-bodied brew.

5.6% from Ottawa, Ontario 40 IBU

BASILISK PARADISE SAISON ~ BREWFIST & FLYING MONKEYS

This is a collaboration with Flying Monkeys in Barrie, Ontario and Brewfist in Codogno, Italy. This collab has resulted in a saison brewed with ‘grains of paradise’ (Melegueta pepper), orange, basil and rosemary. Sampled on draught. The beer poured a hazy golden amber colour with an off white head, which left some lacing. The nose is mild and has yeasts, fruity esters, malts, and some floral and herbal notes, and grassy hops (Styrian Golding, Cascade and Magnum were used). The taste follows along the same lines as the aroma: some sweet dried fruit, hay, farmhouse funk, pale malts, herbals (especially hints of Basil) and a hoppy finish. The beer has a medium body and is moderately carbonated. I really enjoyed this saison and its complexities of flavour. Well done!

6% from Codogno, Italy and Barrie, Ontario 30 IBU

ELEPHANT MONSOON ~ BEAU’S

Elephant Monsoon is Beer #4 in Beau’s Fe’brew’ary. It is #63 in their ‘Wild Oats’ series and is a Peanut butter and grape jelly porter. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a deep brown with a small beige head and some scattered lacing. The nose has chocolaty malts, grassy hops, some berry notes, very faint peanuts and coffee. I was expecting a punch of flavour, but this porter drinks more like brown ale to me, as the finish is very mild and lacks the finish I expect from a porter. The beer is full of roasted chocolaty malts, subtle nut and sweet grape in the middle and grassy hops for mild bitterness. The PB and J are very subtle; I tasted some peanut butter mid sip and then the finish had a ‘Welch’s” grape jelly like sweetness and taste. The porter is medium bodies and has a creamy mouthfeel. I found this easy to drink and quite pleasant but was hoping for more of a flavour smack.

6.7 % from Vankleek Hills, Ontario 30 IBU

KORU ~ BEAU'S 

Koru, a Belgian style Pale Ale, is the fifth and final beer is Beau’s Fe’brew’ary 2016. It was originally brewed in 2012 from Vankleek Hills Oktoberfest festivities, it now returns by popular demand. It is No. 25 in their Wild Oats Series. The ale has been made using New Zealand nelson sauvin and rakau hops, hence the name which means loop in Māori. The coiling fern frond symbolism on the beautiful label is also from a Māori symbol. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a straw colour with amber inflections and had a pillowy white head. The foamy head clung to the glass and left impressive lacing. The nose contained some grassiness, peppery Belgian yeasts, citrus and other tropical, and a note of grassiness. Bready yeasts, citrus and tropical fruit, peppery spices, a hint of honey all play on the palate, followed by a grassy herbal hop. The finish is dry and crisp. There was some very nice complexity in this beer. Compared to some other Big Belgian style beers, this one is very drinkable, almost sessionable. From start to finish – great aroma, complexity in flavour, medium body and pleasant mouthfeel, - this was a very pleasant brew. 
6% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario


6% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario

RED FOX SUMMER ALE ~ MACKINNON BROS.

The first thing I thought when I saw my beer, is what in the world did I order? It appeared and was an intense bright red like a nineteen fifties lip shade. Sampled on draught this beer definitely had an unworldly colour and a very small white head. The beers colour is due to beets. MacKinnon Brothers which is a farm to beer brewery in eastern Ontario, collaborated with ‘Roots Down” organic farm. The beet juice make up less than 1% but lends their dye to make the intense colour. The aroma was mild and simple with an earthiness, citrus hops and a faint fruitiness. The flavour was moderately bitter throughout, with a light citra hop kick at the end. I tasted no evidence of the beets being added. The beer was very palatable and would be easily sessionable but I wanted more. I found the carbonation soft and the body to be quite light, even watery at times. The beer itself could be a little more balanced. I think I would have preferred that that malts had a little more sweetness and the hops at the finish were a little more evident.

4.2% from Bath, Ontario

PITCHFORK PORTER ~ NIAGARA OAST HOUSE

Sampled on Draught, this porter poured a opaque dark brown, with coppery highlights and a medium sized creamy beige head. Caramel, coffee, dried fruit, dark chocolate, and slightly burned toast were all on the nose. The hops were very light in both aroma and taste. The beer tasted, as one would expect from the nose, with a very mild dry bitterness at the end, blended with roasted malts. The body was average to thin, but was quite flavourful. A straight forward modest porter. Would have this again.

5.3% from Niagara, Ontario

BLACKBERRY PEACH CIDER ~ COUNTY CIDER COMPANY

What a delicious treat! This Blackberry and peach cider, seems to be a one-off from County Cider, the people who make Waupoos. I believe the base of this cider is apple, and peach and blackberry juice have been added. The cider pours a light golden yellow. Tons of fresh peach on the nose, along with a subtle berry tang, tree fruits and white wine like wafts. This cider is incredibly flavourful with layers of flavour, but is also quite sweet and a little juice like. A syrupy mouthfeel is due to the peach nectar used. This is quite east drinking and the ABV is well hidden. I think this would be awesome cut with a little soda water to quench thirst in hot July weather.

6.5% from Waupoos, Ontario

EARL GREY MARMALADE SAISON ~ DOMINION BREWING

 

This saison was sampled on Draught at the 613 takeover, at the Only Café on the Danforth, Toronto.  The beer poured a hazy golden copper colour with a creamy white head, which left nice lacing.  The aroma contained citrus (especially orange) and spice (ginger, bergamot), peppercorns, ester-y saison yeasts, tea and some subtle malt notes.  The flavour begins with sweet malts, lots of orange flavour (it is brewed with fresh zested oranges), and spices.  Marmalade also makes an appearance giving a nice puckering contrast to the sweetness.  Hoppy bitterness, slightly astringent tea tannins, and citrus balance and finish the beer.  The carbonation is moderate the beer has a medium body.  This brew is packed with a variety of flavours, I again enjoyed this, but I could see how others may find this perfumy.    A very unique pint!

Dominion Brewery has brewed this beer with Bridgehead organic Earl Grey tea, and organic wheat grown and malted close to the Ottawa area.  It makes me happy that Dominion Brewery is working with local hop producers.  Ontario was once a great hop growing province, the spirit of which they are trying to bring back.

5.5% from Ottawa, Ontario IBU 21

DARTMOUTH COMMON ~ KICHESIPPI BREWING

Dartmouth Common is a Damphbier (translated from German – Steam beer). The style, which is hundreds of years old, was originally made in South East Bavaria. This style took off in the southern United States because the beer is warm fermented and California had a lack of refrigeration. The American version is known as a Steam Beer, or a California Common and is made with different yeast. Damphbier is traditionally made with all barley, but is fermented with a weissbier yeast, which gives it a slightly phenolic after taste. This beer was one is a series of “staff picks” at the Brewery and is a seasonal brew. The beer poured a deep slightly cloudy golden colour with an off white head, that left lacing. The nose was primarily grains and weissBeir yeast (clove and banana). The very mild taste has some banana and clove, citrus, florals and bready malts and a sweetness about it. The carbonation was low (characteristic of the style) and the hop was very mild. At times I found the mouthfeel a little thin and light. A nice interpretation of a steam beer, it would be very quaffable on a hot day.

5.1% from Ottawa, Ontario IBU 14

EQUILIBRIUM ESB ~ NICKEL BROOK 

Sampled on draught, this beer poured a hazy copper with a frothy white head. The head retention was average and it left spotty lacing as it disappeared. The subdued nose had biscuit malts with mild nuttiness, fruity yeasts, leafy hops and toffee. This ESB, as the name may suggest, was hoppier than I am used to in an ESB. Nickel Brook made a concerted effort to balance the sweet malts with a generous amount of hops, and have achieved a satisfying balance. The taste mostly follows the nose with grainy caramelly nutty malts, fruity yeast, an earthiness and a leafy English hops. The carbonation is moderate giving the beer a creamy mouthfeel and crisp finish. The body has a medium mouthfeel. Overall I very much enjoyed the balance in this beer, I can definitely see myself quaffing more.

5.5% from Burlington, Ontario IBUs: 43

IMPACT ~ STACK

Impact is an altbeir (Style originated in Germany and is top fermented). Sampled on draught this beer poured a hazy deep amber colour. It has a little beige head, that quickly disappeared, and left some nice lacing. The nose contained toasty malts, nuttiness, plum and dried fruit, with an earthiness hoppy bitterness peaking through. The Flavour began with notes of plum, molasses, currants and dried fruit with a pleasant but subtle spiciness. There were also roasted malts, a little nuttiness and herbal hops to finish. Impact is more sweet than bitter, with soft carbonation and the beer had a medium body. Overall another solid beer from Stack Brewery. A pleasant melange of flavours from Sudbury, Ontario.
5.2 % from Sudbury, Ontario

BREW MOUNTAIN SMaSH (CENTENNIAL) ~ NORTHWINDS

Brew Mountain is a series of single hopped Pale Ales from Northwinds Brewery. Samples on Draught this beer poured a clear coppery golden colour with a white head and some lacing. The aroma contained lots of flowery hops. The beer had lots of citrus and fruitiness (apple possibly) to it, the hops were floral and citrusy but had no piney flavours. There were also notes of cereal and grains. There was a subtle near sweetness to this beer, the bitterness from the hop kicked in before the finish making the finish incredibly smooth and clean. The carbonation was moderate and the mouthfeel was a little on the thin side, making it a refreshing beverage. I really liked this one and have gone back to revisit it already. Most enjoyable!
5.5 % Collingwood, Ontario 29 IBU

BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER CHAI ~ COVERED BRIDGE BREWING

This beer, sampled on draught, is spiced brown ale. The beer had a clear rich reddish brown pour with a small off-white head. The nose is swirling with spices (especially ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom), chai and notes of the nutty brown ale. The nose reminds me of gingerbread with notes of cardamom, sweet tea and cinnamon. The taste was very similar to the nose with lots of spice and tasty fruity malt. The beer has low hop bitterness and lots of spices on a dry finish. The carbonation was on the low side of moderate and the body was medium – thin. This beer is unique and not to everyone’s taste, but I really enjoyed this.

5.1 % from Stittsville, Ontario

I, THE MOUNTAIN AND THE LEPRECHAUN FLUTE ~ SAWDUST CITY

This brew is a collaboration with folk rockers “I the Mountain” and Sawdust City Brewery. It is a Red IPA or India Red Ale, released for a limited time to celebrate spring. Unlike many red ales that can be more malt forward, this one hollers hops. Sampled on draught, the beer poured a beautiful slightly murky red colour, with a sizeable fluffy off-white head. The nose has a variety of dank hops – lemon peel, pine, and orange. The beer is quite hop forward but also has evidence of biscuit-bready malts. First sips had lots of citrus, especially orange. The middle remained hoppy but also had a sweet maltiness to it. The finish was dry with more pine resin and grapefruit. The beer was brewed with six different malts and Summit, Mosaic, and Nelson Sauvin hops. The 7% ABU helps to hide the bitterness of the 70 IBU’s this beer contains. I know many of you are, but I’m not one for mouth shredding hops, I do however really like this beer!

7.4% from Gravenhurst, Ontario     70 IBU

BOG FATHER ~ BEAU’S

’This Imperial Gruit is the Big Brother of the “Bog Water”, reviewed August 2015. (Bog water review here).  I was under the impression that gruit’s were bittered by botanicals other than hops, but this one contains hops as well as an array of other botanicals. That being the case, I am not sure why they can call this a gruit. Gruit can take on many flavours of the local flora and fauna, and taste varies widely. Sampled on draught, during Gruit week, this beer poured a dark brown with a honey amber hue much like a porter or a stout. A generous cap of white head sat atop the beer, and lasted for quite a while. The nose reminded me of a Belgian triple. Raisins and dates, Belgian yeasts, cola, dark toast, liquorice, fruity esters, Demerara sugar and herbs and spice make up the nose. The taste was very similar to the nose with fruits, spice, toast and Belgian yeasts. The double mash of dark malts, Belgian Trappist ale yeasts and bog myrtle, used in the brewing all lend a character to the brew. Bog father had a medium body with a creamy warming feel. I very much enjoyed this!
This beer was originally brewed in very limited release in 2008. This is its second appearance since then and a big fan favourite.
8% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario 43 IBU

Malts: Munich, pilsner, caramunich, carafoam, acidulated, carafa (all organic)
Hops: Organic simcoe
Yeast: Monastery ale

Other: Organic sweet Gale, Organic Yarrow, local spring water.

GRISETTE ~ BEAU’S

This grisette is one of Beau’s Farm Table Series, meant to be a traditional sessionable beer, brewed close to the traditional style. A grisette is the French version of a saison, a classic farm table beer meant to be enjoyed by the working class and farm hands. Triskel and strisselspalt hops are French and are typical to the Belgian style ales. Sampled on draught the beer poured a slightly cloudy light golden colour with a frothy white head. The head left a small ring of lacing around the glass, and the carbonation was effervescent and active. The nose was mild and contained what you would expect in a Belgian style farmhouse ale: grassy earthiness, bready malts, a smidgen of lemon, pepper, and florals. The taste also had a subtle pepperiness, grassiness, floral/herbal hops, and light breadiness. The beer finished dry with a pleasant bitterness. This nicely balanced beer felt crisp in my mouth and had moderate carbonation and a light mouthfeel. A decent and gentle saison.
4.9% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario 27 IBU
Ingredients: Local spring water, organic barley malts, organic hops, brewer’s yeast.
Malts: Pilsner, Vienna, carahell, acidulated (all organic)
Hops: Organic triskel, organic strisselspalt
Yeast: Belgian style saison ale yeast blend

GUY ON A BUFFALO ~ BLOCK 3

Guy on a Buffalo is an oddly named coffee porter from Block 3. Sampled from a bottle, the beer had a dark pour with a cap of off white head. The nose was robust and contained notes of chocolate, roasted malts and coffee. Taste was exactly as was expected based on the nose. The coffee the beer is brewed with is from Eco Café in St. Jacob’s Ontario. The coffee and the subtle sweetness are nicely balanced. The body was medium and the finish had a nice coffee bitterness to it. Quite a nice coffee porter. Photo from: Block 3
6.5 % from St. Jacob’s, Ontario 28 IBU
Malts: Maris Otter, Crystal 110, Carafoam, Chocolate, Carafa Special 1, Roasted Barley
Hops: Magnum

DEAD ELEPHANT INDIA PALE ALE ~ RAILWAY CITY

Sampled on draught, Dead Elephant is an English style IPA. The beer poured a hazy caramel golden with a slightly off white head. The head did not last long but did leave good lacing. The nose contained floral hops, pine, a bit of malt, straw-grassiness, and a touch of citrus. The palate was much the same. The beer began with sweet caramel malts and fruit, leading to grassiness, grains and straw. The finish is floral and grapefruit hop bitterness, which lingers on the aftertaste. I quite like the balance of this beer. The English style balances this bitterness with the sweet malts. The beer’s carbonation was moderate and medium bodied. A nice change from the American style IPAs, very drinkable.

6.8% from St. Thomas, Ontario 46.6 IBU

LOUIS CIFER ~ DARK HORSE COFFEE APA

Louis Cifer is a brew pub on the Danforth, which has been there now for several years. Stepping in for dinner I was surprised how full the large space was on a very cold night. The place is set up like a large US brewpub: big, loud, service oriented, with mediocre food. They have about a dozen taps of house beer and about the same of guest taps. Several of my choices were sold out, so the waitress brought over several samples, most of which were nothing special, this interesting brew was the best of the bunch. The brewers, in collaboration with Dark Horse Coffee, have created an America pale ale infused with espresso beans. An odd combination, but I think this one worked. The brewers used a single hop APA (citra hops) to highlight the rich espresso flavours. Sampled on draught the beer poured a rich golden orange colour, with a no head. There was a ton of caffeine on the nose along with citrusy notes from the hops. The taste also had massive coffee flavour with a pleasant, but not overpowering citra hop kick at the end. The combination of bold coffee flavour with a light beer was strange but successful. Reading the reviews this one seems to be the best of the bunch.

5.2% from Toronto, Ontario 35 IBU

INNOCENTE ~ PUGATORY 

Purgatory is a new beer from Innocente, and it is a new beer concoction: Black cream ale. It is a collaboration with ‘Beer Town Public House' (several bars in the Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, Ontario) Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a deep brown-black, with a generous off- white head. Aroma was pleasant with grains, dark toasted malts, fruity hops and perhaps a hint of liquorice. The flavour was somewhat mild, but had a pleasant coffee and roasted malt taste. An earthiness and mild hops follow with a dry finish. The mouth feel was light but creamy. Interesting but just all right.

4.3% from Waterloo, Ontario 16 IBU

GREAT LAKES ~ WINTER ALE

A Winter Warmer sampled from a bottle. The beer poured a translucent medium beer brown with slight amber hues. It had a fingers height of head that left good lacing after it fell. There was lots of spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) on the nose as well as caramel, dark fruits, and sweet malts. The beer began with sweet malty caramel and suggestions of orange, followed by dry spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), with a touch of honey. It finished fry with a pleasant earthy hop and warming ginger. It is well carbonated and the mouth feel is on the thinner side of medium. A pleasant offering from GLB, but these beers are like pumpkin ales to me, I want them as a treat not all the time. Worth checking out.

6.5 % from Toronto, Ontario

BELGIAN BLOOD ORANGE PORTER ~ NORTHWINDS  & BRIMSTONE

This brew is collaboration between Northwinds Brewery and Brimstone Brewery, both with fine products of their own. Sampled on draught, the brew poured almost black, and let little light through it. It had a short-lived small off white head. Belgian yeasts, chocolate, orange and grapefruit and pine hops were all on the nose. The flavour was almost liqueur like. It reminded me of a Murphy’s Dark Chocolate orange that I have found in my stocking at Christmas time. The beer started with sweet orange followed by dark chocolate, roasted malts and sweet Belgian yeasts. It finished with a hop combination of bitter grapefruit and resiny pine. Nicely balanced, and very tasty! Bravo!

6% Collingwood, Ontario

CHIMAY ROUGE ~ BIÈRES DE CHIMAY (ABBAUE NOTRE DAME DE SCOURMONT)

Chimay Red (aka Rouge, Première) is an unpasteurized Belgian dubbel that had been fermented and then refermented in the bottle. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a cloudy red-brown with a large pillowy ivory head. Once it had died down it left some spidery lacing along the glass. The nose is comprised of malts, caramel, hints of chocolate, fruitcake, and spicy Belgian Yeast. Taste has the same flavour profile with dark fruit, caramel, molasses, a nuttiness and hints of chocolate at the end. The sweetness gives way to light hop bitterness at the finish. The beer is medium bodied with a pleasant creamy and smooth feel. The carbonation is refreshing but not aggressive. A delicious treat, thanks to the Monks.
7% from Chimay, Belgium

CHIMAY WHITE ~ BIÈRES DE CHIMAY (ABBAUE NOTRE DAME DE SCOURMONT)

I think of these small Belgian bottles as ‘treats’ not something I would want to drink every day, as they are very rich, and better in small doses. Chimay White (aka White cap, Blanche, Cinq Cents, etc.) is an unpasteurized Belgian tripel that has been fermented and then refermented in the bottle. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured, an opaque coppery orange. The beer had a thick frothy head which, when settled down left a white cap and good lacing. Some sediment was left in the bottle, as this beer is unfiltered. The beer is aromatic and much of what would be expected from a Belgian tripel: fruitiness (tree fruit like apples and apricots and grapes), yeast and bread, spice and alcohol. The flavour follows the profile of the nose: light fruits, sweet malts, citrus notes, Belgian yeasts and with a hint of hoppy bitterness at the end. Complex and masterfully balanced. The beer was fully bodied and crisp, with an almost soda like carbonation. This doesn’t feel like it is 8%, the ABV is well hidden. A once in a while treat!

8% from Chimay Belgium.