Next Beer Tasting - March 19

This Trappist abbey creates 3 delicious styles of ale, the 6, 8 and 10, all of them dark. The numbers basically categorize the amount of alcohol in each beer. The 6 being the lightest and the 10 of course being the fullest. I like the 8 a lot, I think it is very well balanced. This Trappist ale is dark and chewy and is basically liquid food. Slowly decant this elixir into a Cognac style glass and enjoy the huge nose of rich malted barley, dark honey, raisins, walnuts and other spices. The palate is rich and decadent with huge flavors of cocoa bean, hazelnut and black currant. The finish is medium sweet and almost oaky with light berry fruit and some resiny hops barging in at the last minute. This ale drinks ridiculously smooth despite its robust 9.2% alcohol content. Trappist ale at its best!

BOON GEUZE 12OZ $7.49 [#402001]    
Another Flemish-style ale that is a blend of young and old lambiek style ales. Ale that has been aged up to 2 years compliments this blend and it is then bottled at 6.5% alcohol. The nose has an essence of tart citrus fruit and refermented on lees, reminds one of fine Champagne. It pours like fine bubbly as well with its high carbonation. This beer will age well for 15 years but is drinking absolutely delicious right now. Crisp and acidic, the flavors of barley and hops are there but you almost think you’re drinking something made of grapes. If it wasn’t for those undeniably sour flavors of our favorite airborne friend Brettanomyces (Thank goodness, for these ales wouldn’t be the same without it). You have to get used to ale like this, but once you do, it is amazing! Pucker up now or cellar for a decade for less intensity but more complexity.

ORVAL TRAPPIST ALE 11.2 OZ $5.49 [#409570]    
This beautiful, sparkling blonde ale is very reminiscent of a Saison style, but lighter. Artisinal craftsmen brew most Saison ales in a farmhouse style brewery. However, Trappist monks brew Orval in a 10th century monastery. The sect offers only one style of beer as far as I know and it is delicious and thirst quenching, not as big and scary as some Belgian ales tend to be. This beer has great effervescence; the nose offers nuances of flowery herbs, citrus peel and tangy hops. Delicate on the palate, the flavors are light and grassy with a dry, earthy profile. Easily drinkable at 6.9% alcohol, the finish is crisp and acidic with hints of grapefruit zest, minerals and good hop character. A wonderful summer session beer and will pair well with grilled seafood, skewered shellfish and summer salads.

SCALDIS DUBUISSON 8.5 OZ $3.73 [#496882]    
This classic Belgian strong ale is huge and complex and it will crush you. Golden bronze in color, it has a buttery nose with scents of heather, orange blossom, papaya and honeysuckle. At 12% alcohol this ale drinks much like a fine wine (it will age like a fine wine as well). The palate introduces layer upon layer of intense flavors. Butterscotch and praline start out the journey, but as this ale warms up it gets richer, nuttier and more sherry-like. The finish is warm with hints of Christmas pudding and burnt toffee. Roasted cashew, Belgian candied sugar and caramel like flavors finish off this beast. This is an awesome beer to have for the holidays, so pick some up now and cellar until Thanksgiving, or enjoy a few now. This ale will definitely compliment a holiday feast but will also pair great with rustic breads, smoked cheeses, mussels and calamari.

DUCHESSE DE BOURGOGNE 11.2 OZ $4.59 [#424000]    
This is traditional Flemish style sour-brown ale and it is excellent. This ale is not for everyone for I am not joking when I say this ale is sour and tart. It is a blend of 8 and 18-month-old ales aged in oak casks. The nose smells like sour cherries and Italian salad dressing (I’ve actually whipped up an incredible dressing with this ale). The palate has lots of rich, nutty flavors, dark fruit and oak tannin but the acidic flavors of Brettanomyces (a local airborne bacteria) pretty much dominate the profile of this Flemish-style ale. The finish is tart and acidic with fruity/oaky flavors rounding out the whole experience. Bottled at 6% alcohol this is truly unique Belgian ale, unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.