Abbaye des Rocs La Montagnarde Altitude 6

It seems tough to admit, but Belgium’s brewing climate today has little to do with the monastic tradition so often advertised. I can’t help but raise an eyebrow when I see borrowed ecclesiastical titles, as if they somehow elevate the product to a divine status. Abbaye des Rocs awakened this concern during my initial encounter. Fortunately, as I explored their profound talent, I realized this is a brewery thats put little effort in polishing its image, and focuses instead on a truly exceptional set of beers. A remarkable endeavor. Des Rocs’ habit of leaving ’unsightly’ sediment in the bottles never bothered me in the least, but I was surprised to find a relatively clear brew this time around. The lively apricot color glows deeply, and a creamy off-white head puffs up above. The aroma is equally bright and summery, but rich and complex as well. Honey and abundant grains form the unmistakable smell of Miel Pops, one of my childhood breakfast cereals in France. The subtle balance of spices and vegetal components adds surprising intricacy for a basic offering. Nutmeg, coriander, pepper and buttery asparagus are particularly notable. The palate finds a light, creamy and very easy-drinking ale. There’s a touch of minerality that seems perfect for a hot day. Sweet grains are present, and the chalky lemony yeastiness gives an air of witbier. The spices are perfectly balanced with both hops and malts, suggesting hints of peach and coffee. There’s a definite sweetness throughout, but it remains authentic and the subtle dryness and sourness in the finish continually encourage another sip. Perfectly sessionable and drinking well after it’s second birthday, it’s another stunning beer from des Rocs. (08/06/07)

Bottle, at the Belgian Belly, Manchester. Poured an orangey gold with a decent sized white head. Good lace. Aroma is sweetish with a touch of orange and peach. Flavour is malty and honey tinged, with hints of summer fruit and a pleasantly spicy herbiness which gives this a nice balance. Emminently drinkable and went very well with the Samurai Chicken roll !!

One of my "to do beers" on my Belgium trip, just because I love the brewery and this is not available stateside. Pours a thick muted golden color with a large foamy head that never fully fades (just keeps sticking around). Aroma is at first strong with doughy yeast, dominating. Then comes a burnt orange maltiness aspect, which works well at first but then becomes unappetizing. Taste is full of orange/tangerine esters and finishes with a mineral fruitiness. Seems to be a bit uneven, lots of strong flavors but a body meant for simple easy drinking beer. I can see why this one, compared to their other wonderful beer, is not imported to the States.
33cl bottle from Beer Mania, date stamp unclear (2009 L??), hotel room plastic cup on 5/17/08.

Bottle @<a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/forums/cnudde-ølsmagning-og-møde-i-ulfborg 87114.htm target= new> Cnudde Tasting.. Unclear light to medium orange color with a small, fizzy, fair lacing, fully diminishing, off-white head. Aroma is moderate malty, caramel, spicy - anis sead / coriander, light yeasty. Flavor is moderate to light heavy sweet and moderate bitter with a average duration. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft. (290308)

330ml bottle. Golden coloured with slight haziness and no head, yet plenty of carbonation. Slightly honeyed aroma, with some apicots and spice. Flavour was sweet with some citrus fruit, nutmeg and an herbal edge. some grassy hops in the finish. Very good.

Now this one’s difficult to rate. It was nearly impossible for me to serve myself a pint of this from the 750ml bottle without unleashing a sediment monster into my glass. So, first, here are some pre-yeaststorm comments from the first half or so of the bottle:

-A dense sheet of foam tops the hazy blond.
-The fruity, perfumy nose is tantalizing, offering up exotic citrus fruit in both juice and candied form alongside white pepper-like spiciness.
-The wise spiciness works wonders with the doughy yeast.
-The mouthfeel is frothy but kind to the palate.
-Cereal sweetness is well calibrated and the flavor profile whispers the wonderful bouquet..
-The finish is rather dry and knows how to keep the tastebuds longing for the next sip.
-Points were: 9/3/7/4,15/20, 3.8/5

Now, the rest of the bottle:
-Kerplunk, said the yeast. Gurgle, gurgle.
-Appearence has now become slurry-like.
-The yeast shot obviously muddles some of the delicate features of this beer, but seems to make the bittering hops more proficient.
-The nose is quite hurt, yet remains appealing.
-Points were: 7/1/7/3 14/20 3.2/5

Bottle.

33cl bottle from Dranken Geers. I was in the Kulminator on the Saturday of Zythos 08, and sat next to me.... you know what? I have no idea. A good beer drinker who ordered... no it wasn’t it was Rick Gordon who the one who ordered this or another Abbaye des Rocs beer, so it got me onto this one. The first time I went to the Kulminator I had Abbaye des Rocs Noel on tap and I liked the brune, but my history with this brewery is either up or down. The grand cru floaters were stupidly huge, but they clearly know how to brew good beer. Clear orange gold but with a viscous feel, thin off white head. Very fruity aroma, stone fruit, some orange spice. For a 6% blond, quite an aroma. Doesn’t quite live up to it in mouth, bit thin to be honest. but then a similar burst of fruit on finish. Even 20 mins later the aroma is stunning. Like juicy crystalised tangerine fruit. Rather a good beer, which I think is excellent and something I would seek out again.

Hazy deep golden wit medium white head. Sweet yeasty aroma with notes of fruits and coriander. Sweet flavor with notes of ripe fruits, coriander and yeast. Ends sweet.