MONS ABBEY BLONDE ~ BELGH BRASSE
This is another beautiful brew from Amos, Quebec. It is brewed with esker spring water, using Pilsen and Pale malt, Styrian Gold hops, Saaz hops for aroma, and a classic Belgium yeast. Sampled from a caged and corked bottle, the beer poured a slightly hazy golden-copper with white head. There was some left sediment in the bottom of the bottle. The head lasted several minutes before fading into a cap, leaving impressive lacing in its wake. The nose is quite sweet with notes of florals, European hops, caramel, spice, orange peel, bread, and orchard fruit (especially apple and pear), and possibly some banana bread. The beer is sweet, but not as much as the nose would suggest. Flavours include light orange, banana, orchard fruit, breadiness, spice with hints of pepper and coriander. Grassy herbal hops are present in the finish. Overall, I think this is a very acceptable example of a Belgian style blonde (the brewmaster is apparently originally from Belgium). Worth trying.
7% Amos, Quebec
MONS ABBEY DUBBEL ~ BELGH BRASSE
This was my first experience from Quebec brewery Belgh Brasse, and what a revelation it was. An excellent dubbed! The beer is made with natural Abitibi Esker water in a Belgian style. A blend of Pilsen, Munich and Carafa malts are used along with Styrian Gold hops for bitterness and Hallertau Hersbrücker hops for aroma. The brew is finished with spice and bitter orange peel. Sampled on draught in a tulip glass, the beer poured a slightly opaque deep reddish brown with a foamy light brown head. The head left some lacing as it receded quickly into a thin cap. The aroma had a lovely complexity with a real melange of smells including molasses, liquorice, dark fruit, floral hops, peppery spice, citrus and Belgian yeast. The tastes echoes the nose, with a lovely sweet complex mixture of molasses, dark fruit, spice, citrus, spicy Belgian yeast, anise, caramel and leafy herbal hops. The body is medium full, the carbonation moderate to lively and mouthfeel was slightly sticky with a boozy warmth. This was a fabulous surprise and a delicious beer. What a treat! I look forward to more from this brewery.
8% from Amos, Quebec
