BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien 2006

Formerly brewed at BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes)
Style: Sour Ale
Saignelégier, Switzerland

Bottle courtesy of lithy. Thanks Justin! Pours a hazy orange/red with a small off-white lace. Nose is oak, leather, cherries, light vinegar. Flavor is more vinous and tannic, more tart cherry, oak, alcohol.

I have had this a few times since it was released and most recently at a gathering at JoeMcPhee’s. This is probably the second best after the ’05 version, not quite as sour though. The beer sighs with strong light cherry maltiness and a light layer of barrel and aceto with musky funk. It’s easy to drink and the sourness counteracts anything syrupy or sweet that could come out of such a strong brew. Its very nice and I am surprised this is labeled as a "sour" ale while the more sour ’05 version is considered a BSA.

sampled with the phoenix crew. bottle by way of john_adam2002. pours a cloudy dark woody brown with some orange tints. foamy tan cap has some pretty big bubbles. the aroma is musty... lambic-like dryness and funk, tart red cherries, red wine vinegar, cinnamon/spice and some lemon?. the flavor is really tart... moreso than the aroma led me to believe but very well balanced as well. it starts off malty (metallic, but that soon fades) with a bunch of ripe red cherries and soon turns dry, lightly funky and woody with sour/vinegar notes with lots of minerals. dry tart finish. medium body is quite crisp and insanely drinkable...

Extreme Beer Fest 2/15/08: Yum! Very sweet and fruity. Tasted of apples, tangerines, pears. It had a lambic-like quality to it. I thought it would be classified as a Belgian ale and was surprised to find out that it actually is a sour ale. An enjoyable beer.
Rating: 8/4/8/4/15 = 3.9

Update 5/12/08: Bottle. Pours a dark, cloudy brown with a white head (I remembered it being a light color, but apparently not...). Aroma of sour fruits and sweetness. Flavor is super sweet with some oak/wood notes. I don’t get any alcohol per se but this is sweet sweet sweet and has a very heavy mouthfeel. It is ok for the first few sips, but then it gets too sweet and it took me forever to finish.
New rating: 8/4/6/3/13= 3.4

Pours a red-copper color with a 1 cm white head that backs off to a thin sheen. Sweet, tart flemish aroma, not a huge blash of sourness, but understated and oaky. Lightly carbonated. Very nice sour finish with a moderate oakiness and a general fruity character lying below. A quality flemish red that falls a bit short of the greats, but still is a pleasure to drink.

25.4 oz bottle. Dark woody brown with a creamy bone head. Nose is honey, caramel, cherry and rose. Smooth medium body that melts away with a tang. Taste is apricot and cherry juice with oaky drying. Finishes with peel and pits.

750 bottle sampled at Delilah’s Vintage Ale Festival 08. Pours a hazy orange-red with a beige head that fades quick. Cherry, oak, alcohol, candied sugars and yeast in the nose. A light tartness plays with the oak. Surprisingly sweet flavors. Alcohol, cherries, apples, candied sugars, brown sugar. Once again tart with a slight funkiness. I’m surprised the alcohol is so hidden at 11%. The sweetness and sourness aren’t my favorite combination though, still pretty decent.

Courtesy mgumby10. Ugly, murky brown with a small, dense, tan head. Aroma of tart, vinegar soaked, vinous dark fruits, heavy oak, light spice, and subtle alcohol. Same flavors with some added red wine character. Medium/full body, balanced carbonation. A little heavy, but easy to drink. Great flemish sour.