LA FORMITABLE ~ BEAU’S B SIDE

La Formidable is a hybrid American-Belgian IPA, made with America style hops but retaining the fruity and spicy elements of a Belgian Ale yeasts. Beau’s B-side welcomes breweries from other places in the world produce fresh beer for the Canadian market. This is a collaboration with Gigantic Brewing Company from Portland, Oregon. The recipe was developed exclusively for a B-side brew by the brewmasters at Gigantic. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured an opaque coppery amber with lots of floating sentiment. It had a finger of white head, that left lacing as it receded. The nose contained notes of grapefruit, orange citrus, peppery yeasts, pine resin, subtle fruit and florals. The taste is balanced between bitterness of American hops and the fruitiness of a Belgian style ale. There is lots of grapefruit upfront, with spice, funk, floral, fruit, pine and an earthiness underneath. Bitterness lingers in the aftertaste. The beer is medium bodied, with a dry finish and soft carbonation. This is an interesting melange of the two styles.

6.9% from Vankleek Hills, Ontario