La Chouffe

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a small white head that leaves some lacing. Light aromas of fruit and spices. Flavors of fruit (mainly apricot), and spices. Finishes dry, light mouthfeel. Eh I was disappointed with this beer, it’s all-around pretty weak and forgettable.

Bottle. A hazy golden coloured pour with a decent white head on top. Aroma of spice and orange. Tastes typically Belgian, slightly sweet, definte orange, spice, yeast, caramel. I’ve had this on draught many times before too. An excellent Belgian.

From the Bottle at Chris O’s pre GBBF tasting, Kensal Rise 31/07/2010 Floral aroma. Golden coloured a little hazy in appearance and strong in alcohol with a dry malt finish.

[sampled as Big Chouffe anno 2010 magnum, from Brasserie d’Achouffe itself] Thanks to MrB for the magnum. Love the label, especially the cartoon pheasant giving the thumbs up. Pours exactly as one would expect – hazy dark yellow or orange, aromas of wheat, coriander and banana. Flavours of coriander, and a hint of cloves and spice. More interesting than your average wheat beer, there’s a complexity to it from that spiciness that makes me agree with the pheasant on the label. Thumbs up for this one. [16/07/2010]

Light amber pour with a decent head. Aroma holds apricot, dough, and a touch of hop. Flavor has a really nice fruitness and good yeast and spice characteristics. Palate is Light and smooth-- not sure this brew is worth its rating, but still pretty tasty.

33cl bottle (never seen a Chouffe in this size before. bb15/12/12). Pours with a clear golden body and a large white head. Aroma of grass, coriander, bread dough (sour), candied orange peel, perfume, minerals, soil and clove. Flavors of dough, clove, slightly metallic and tart, pear, bread, orange-curacao. Lively bubbles, medium alcohol esters.

Le liquide est blond et embrouillé. La mousse est blanche et résistante. Une dentelle est observée. Les arômes sont ceux d’un malt doux (pain) avec une levure fruitée et des épices. Aussi, au nez, parfum agréable de fleurs et d’alcool. Au goût, le liquide donne des saveurs qui sont semblables aux arômes. La présence des fruits se raffine légèrement avec un goût acidulé de pomme verte et d’orange. Quelques traces piquantes sur la langue provenant de l’alcool et de son caractère poivré. En bouche, le liquide libère une quantité de bulles qui me semble normale pour le style. Sous le palais, sensation crémeuse et très caressante. La finale est heureuse sur des notes amères et douces. En résumé, n’importe quand.

Keg at De Kroeg Cafe, Leiden. Clouded orange with white head. Light and slightly spiced beer with a definite hoppy note, almost American hop in style. Slightly sweet, then a little tangy note. Enjoyable, surprised I hadn’t rated this before.