La Chouffe

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

UPDATED: JAN 28, 2006 Pours a lazy gold, like early sunrays on an autumnal Sunday morning. Strings of bubbles kiss the glass and rise to a dense foamy white cap leaving thick lumps of lace as the head slowly sinks. The nose seems masked at first but short bursts of fruits and spice appear. Banana, apple, caramel and yeast are present. The flavors divide into three distinct phases. As you take your first sip, a sweet nectar erupts on the tip of your tongue. Honeysuckle, banana and other sweet fruits make a very brief appearance before the brew takes on a different aspect. Over-roasted coffee beans with a metallic edge dominate the main section with a sharp bitterness that gradually matures to a satisfying bread-like finish. The evolution in this beer was a good complement to the goat cheese I had beforehand. Refreshing and easy to drink.

Blonde beer which is heavy on the malts and has a big alcohol taste on the palate

leather, banana, cereal, orange, white foam, rocky head, medium sweetness, very bitter, medium sourness, umami, full body, creamy, thin feel, astringent, bitter,

Light orange with large white head that laced the glass the whole way through. Pine, hops. somewhat skunky aroma. Little spicy, some hops, more sweet and yeast, orange, just a bit bitter and dry finish. Very smooth and soft, got better as it continued to warm.

From the tap it was a cloudy yellow in a dimly lit restaurant. Smelled a little like bubble gum and fruit. Flavors of banana and bubble gum and a tiny hop finish. Silky sweet mouth feel. I like it ...a lot.

Tap. Hazy orange goldenwith thin head and light lacing. Smell reminds me of strawberry ice cream with caramel. Hint of sweetness followed by dry with a touch of sour and a fruity note. Lovely in the mouth.

Bottle at Polpo Matto. Clear yellow pour with a big white head. Yeast and light cereal aromas. Light and refreshing with a medium mouthfeel. Light citrus and straw notes. Good carbonation that is very effervescent and just kinda dances on the tongue. A nice beer..

Refrigerated 750 mL bottle poured into a trappist glass. Pours hazy golden with three finger head that dissapates fairly quickly. Really good small bubble lacing, average carbonation, medium effervescent body, smooth texture, and candy sugar aroma. Taste is slightly sweet citrus malt, some spice (mostly coriander), some light herbal hops, and finishes dry. How is this not a Tripel? Good, but too dry to be great.

Had this beer some time ago, transferring data from database before Januar I was using to rate beer. As I drink this again I will add a complete review.