ETOILE DU NORD ~ BRASSERIE THIRIEZ

Etoile du Nord (North Star) is a blonde ale brewed with English East Kent Goldings hops. Sampled from a bottle, possibly near the end of its best before date. The beer poured a somewhat clear golden yellow with a white foamy head, which had good retention and left impressive lacing. Be careful on the pour to control the amount of particulates in your drink. The aroma contained lemony citrus, biscuit and light malts, stone fruit, hay, peppery yeasts, floral and grassy hops. The taste was a mix of sweet grainy malts and fruit, tart citrus, earth, grass, a touch of caramel, pepper, with a moderate herbal-floral hop bitterness. The finish if dry with a touch of bright citrus. A beautifully balanced brew. The beer was medium bodied with a slightly resinous mouth feel. The carbonation was average and fine. I really like the English hops in the beautifully balanced brew. Worth seeking out.

5.5% from Esquelbecq, France    45 IBU

L’AMBRÉE D’ESQUELBECQ ~ BRASSERIE THIRIEZ

This French beer is a bière de garde, literally translated, it means ‘beer to keep.’ It was traditionally made in the north of France in the winter and spring. This beer comes from the French countryside in Flanders. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a slightly hazy deep coppery amber with a dense off-white head. The head lasted a while before leaving impressive lace on the glass and settling into a ring. The nose had notes of grass and hay, funk, orchard fruits, caramel malts, noble hops and spice. The beer was nicely balanced with noble hop bitterness meshing with hearty grainy caramel malts. The nose mostly followed the nose with lots of fruit, caramel, and breadiness, with a touch of vinous sour at the end. There were also notes of wood and hay, and the spice was more pronounced that the nose let on. The body was light to medium with a creamy feel and the carbonation was pin point and average. To me this tasted like a combination of a Flanders Oud Bruin and a saison. A very nice ale, with some complexity, worth trying.

5.8% from Esquelbecq, France