UPDATED: OCT 1, 2023 Brewed in 2015, Bottled in 2017; sampled September 2023. A steady poor from the bottle produces a quarter finger thick, large bubbled, pale Amber tinged head that dissipates fairly quickly. Need beer is a concentrated amber brown color, that shows a somewhat hazy, bright red and rich amber hue when held up to the light. The aroma smells tart, with a little bit of spicy acetic character, lots of fresh cut woody notes, rich vinous red wine aromatics, very bright red wine fruit notes, spicy oak, and as the beer warms up, lots of toasted, whole grain, malt aromatics. The flavor has a solid tartness to it up front that morphs into a touch of spicy vinegar like acidity in the finish. The body of the beer has a soft viscosity to it, just enough to coat the pallet, but finishes pretty light, and the carbonation provides a nicely prickly, but not fizzy, texture and a bit of carbonic light that accentuates the acidity here. The flavor is also quite vinous, rich red wine flavors, lots of toasted oak, spicy oak notes, a touch of vanillin, jammy red wine berry flavors, and tart tannic currant notes. There is a touch of supporting multi-character here that accentuates the toasted oak notes, it adds a bit of savory leaning toasted grain character to the vinous notes. I really like that the acetic vinegar character here is kept nicely tamed, it adds a welcome addition to the flavor, without being overwhelming. This remains a very well executed and tasty beer, I always like having one when I get a chance, even if this has been sitting in my beer fridge for many years.

UPDATED: AUG 8, 2020 Bottle. Hazy dark orange color with white head. Aroma is maltose, wood, vanilla, dried fruits indeed. Taste is dried fruits, vanilla, wood, tobacco, caramel, surprisingly untart. Silky mouthfeel with natural carbonation. Good stuff!

UPDATED: AUG 10, 2019 375 ml bottle at Werckmeisters place. Pours a hazy copper with a white head. Aroma of mild balsamic vinegar, wood, light vinous notes, hints of bread. Medium-full body with a light to medium acidity, a very light sweetness and a light tartness. The flavor starts with acidic funk, hints of balsamic vinegar, vinous note and wood. Finishes lightly woody with a light residual acidity. Overall pretty smooth but lacks character. Aroma: 8 Appearance: 4 Taste: 8 Palate: 4 Overall: 15

UPDATED: AUG 9, 2019 375 ml bottle, bottled Dec 2016. Reddish-brown, hazy, medium, frothy, beige head. Aroma of overripe fruits, leather, dried fruits, red wine, subtle vinegar. Tastes similar. Medium, slick mouthfeel, with a moderate carbonation. Finishes vinous, leathery, a bit wooden, with overripe fruits, dark berries. Very nice. Drinks like a heavy red wine, with leathery notes and dark, ripe fruits. A bit too heavy for me maybe, but really interesting, characterful stuff. Score: 8 / 4 / 8 / 4 / 15

UPDATED: JUL 28, 2019 0,375l bottle at home shared by Powy, big thanks. Bottled 12/2016. brown murky color, small white head. smells marzipan, nutty, light vinegar, molasses. nice smell. full body, light carbonation. tastes of marzipan, nutty, ripe fruits, light vinegar. finishes lightly dry and lightly sour with notes of marzipan, ripe fruits and vinegar. nice one, not my style though, no need for me to drink again 7, 4, 7, 3, 15

from Batavia - hazy amber beer with a poor head retention; aroma of cherries and hay; full-bodied, assertive, sweet; aftertaste of wood and cherries, vinous

Bottled, thanks Bov! Hazy amber, small head. Tart oaky caramel aroma. Mid sweet with medium body and rounded mouthfeel, distinct tartness. Peppery with caramel and citric acid, notes of grapes. Peppery warming finish. Rich, pleasant, but doesn't create magic.

UPDATED: FEB 24, 2018 Couleur brune trouble, reflets ambrées, légère mousse beige. Nez vineux, vieux fut, mousse, avec vanille, note caramélisée vieux fruits. Gout vieux fruits rouges, vieux fut, vanillé, note aigre acidulée, vineuse, chêne . Fin de bouche aigre vinaigrée sur fruits rouges, fut, chêne. Super dans le style, Nicke! Tout a fait mon style

Monday, February 5, 2018. Bottle, 375mL. 11%. Purchase ("Le Houblon", @Poitiers, FR). @Naintré, shared with my parents. A brown earthy opaque beer with a small beige foamy head ; average retention. Wood, wine, dried fruits, light caramel, vanilla note. Medium round sweet, warming, light acid, bitter note, light dry refreshing. Full body, thin oily texture, soft gaseous, vinous woody sweet lasting finish. Overall, delicious :)

Pours dark amber, rather clear, small white head. Smell is not as sour as expected, bit woody. Doughy, astrigent. Taste is sharp, oak forward ( a lot ) gentle sourness, fruity, bit crisp, even. Not nearly as sour as the other versions. Medium low carbo, which is higher than the other Bon Chiens.