La Chouffe

Brewed by Brasserie d’Achouffe (Moortgat)
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Achouffe, Belgium

Large headed in foamy white over a particulate-hazed, golden/amber body. The head falls slow and sticky, leaving crusts of lace down the sides of my goblet. Fresh, green, spicy aroma is all florals and herbs which gives a sweet, yeasty base a little something more to sing about. Since my first hearty swig is a sugar-cloyed cottonmouth of fluff, I take a step back and relax now that I know what to expect. And LaChouffe becomes an enjoyable slow-sipper, a tad sweet but multi-layered... subtle yeasts, honey, florals, berries, a hint of herbs and a lingering clovish spice above that persistent sugar sweetness. Interesting to be sure, but either a little too delicate for my palate or, quite possibly, for the mood I’m in today.

Presented to me on a day to celebrate a new path in my life... enjoyed on a day to contemplate a new path for my wife.

Pours hazy orange with minimal head. Aroma is a spiced fruity blast. Light body, with a bit too much carbonation. The flavor is similar to the aroma, with more opportunities to pick out the different aspects. There is a citrus tang to it. Not very sweet. Orange, alcohol, cinnamon, coriander... the whole gang is here. The hops are very subdued, but extremely well balanced.

Aroma is fruity and yeasty. Also smells of spices. Very complex, could smell this bad boy all day. Color is golden yellow with a small but steady head with good carbonation. Taste is of fruity yeast and some hops with a follow up reminder of alcohol. Very crisp. Lacing is moderate. Mouthfeel is a little too light for me. Still a solid brew.

Bottle: Pours a nice hazy golden with a thick and creamy off white head. Very aromatic- sweet pale Belgian malts, dates, honeydew, fruity esters along with subtle spiciness of cinnamon, allspice and gingersnap cookies. The palate is creamy and peppery. The flavor has a great balance of sweet Belgian malts and spice character- glazed pastries, honey, coriander, bread crust, vanilla/toffee, later yeasty spiciness of peppery phenols and spice notes of spruce and cinnamon. Pretty hard to describe, but it’s complex in it’s subtlety. Elegant and unique.

750ml bottle purchased at Total Wine Pembroke Pines, FL for $8.48 Very good!

750 ml bottle pours to hazy golden body in a trappist glass. Nice thick head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is citrus but faint. Taste is nice with slight alcohol burn aftertaste...definitely warms the belly. Good Beer

Bottle shared with Timfoolery. Poured a golden color with a huge and fluffy white head. Smelled and tasted of bananas and spice. Reminded me a lot of some of the Unibroue beer. Overall a great beer.

Bottle from Wade’s Wines in Agoura Hills, CA. Not often do I go for ";hey, you should try this one... it’s pretty good."; Invariably, it’s usually pretty bad, with exception to La Chouffe. This one’s got apple and pear notes, and reminds me of a lighter, spicier version of La Fin du Monde by Unibroue. Nice palate and balance.