BFM Cuvée du 7ème

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

Serve in Shaker, Tulip

Really? this is 6 years old? I had it on draft at the Thirsty Monk in Asheville in December 2010. Also - An IPA? Really? It was a really nice beer, don’t get me wrong, but I got a lot of fruity, slightly sour notes in the aroma and flavor, and not much hoppy flavors. Oh well, I liked it whatever it was.

Oh wow, really this old? Well, picked up a bottle - unaware of what it was. Poured a copper color, slightly cloudy, thick head. Yeast, spices, etc. Flavor was alright - though a bit spicy for my likes.

very interesting beer, citrusy sour complex and pleasant - had it at Redcoat with mussels and calamari, would highly recommend with seafood

Bottled. Looks like apple sauce watered down with no head at all. Aroma is all citrus and reminds me of that Norwegian IPA style, with other notes of sweeter grapefruit and lighter spices and malt vinegar. Flavors continue with the stingy vinegar and apples a little sour with only lighter citrus. Sour lasting after taste lasting. I must say this is one of the most interesting IPAs I’ve ever had.

2006 vintage. Cloudy orange born pour with medium white quickly receding head. Aroma is barnyard, lightly sour, lemon, grapefruit, some must. Flavor is must, wet books, dusty Brett, faded pine, some roasted notes on the finish.

750 ml bottle. 2006 vintage. Poured a slightly hazy ruddy dark orange color. The head was thick and light tan with good retention and lacing. Despite being stored in my cool basement, I think the hops have long since expired. Smelled very similar to fruit cake and ginger snaps. Not the aroma I normally associate with an IPA. Medium bodied and delicately sweet with moderate to highish carbonation. I tasted molasses, delicate ginger, dark fruits (especially black cherry), and the most delicate note of anise liqueur. No grapefruit, no pine, no flower blossom. Certainly not a hop bomb. Again, perhaps the hop-imparted aroma/flavor has long since moved on. That said, it was still pleasing overall.

33 cL bottle. Pours hazy orange with a small white head. Aroma is dry hoppy and mild fruity. Smooth fruity and barrel like. Bitter, dry and distinct grapefruity. Mild citric note. Light fruity impression. Mild acetone to phenolic note. Lasting cherry fruity to wooden impression.

(Sample Date: 1/20/2010 Source:Mekong) Woody aroma with spicy and earthy hop and yeast character. Cloudy golden with fine white head. Flavor is complex earthy woodiness with some light sour fruity notes. Not a classic IPA….but an interesting combination of flavors.