La Choulette Blonde

Brewed by Brasserie La Choulette
Style: Bière de Garde
Hordain, France

Dusty cereal and hay reluctant to wed the comely, silky sweetness...Wild rice allusions spark the flavorful malt husks...Fizzier than the full Bavaisienne and less coherent in its intricacies, but nonetheless an honest rural raconteur...

Clear straw blonde, almost no head. Hoppier than most in the nose. Sharp honey and straw aroma. Well defined malt though it’s not very deep and rather simple, bold and proposes more alcohol than I wish for. Simple sweet mouth entrance, not developing a lot of flavour until the powerful and original aftertaste which is spicy in a candyish way (oregano, chive, anise, mint) and just feels christmasty altogether. Mouth coating body, less earthy than most. Hard to pinpoint flavours once again, but I mostly enjoy it. High carbonation yet it seems subdued, full bodied, comfortable.

Sharpness to the taste. Sweet lke sap with orange and pear... I was certain it was an abbey I was drinking at first. The smell is very harsh though. This drink doesn’t have a pleasant nose. It’s like a stale verison of the taste. Interesting.

Orange Coloring. No Head. Tastes Like You’re in a Hay Barn. Some Malts. Interesting.

Brazen gold color with a nice frothy head. Hay bail aroma. Matly taste with a fair hit of grass and cider. A dash of spice on the end. Given the rates, I was expecting less; it’s not too bad.

09.02.04 750ml bottle. Pours a glowing, golden, yellow-gold with ample, fizzy head that settles and lasts. Aroma is fresh, lively, and barny. Some light vinous notes, pear. Nice and inviting but a hint of something plastic. Flavor is mild and grassy. Slight oxidation in this bottle, I think. Quite malty for a blonde, but the flavor leaves the party just before it’s over. A nice quencher; good with mild foods.

Appearance: cloudy, and peachy in color, with a slim white head. Aroma: clean and spare, showing off shades of citrus and spice, unfolding larger, until I regret my initial judgement and admire the floral notes, the connamon, and orange, quite nice, indeed. Taste: huge citrus on the palate right away, yeasty, full citric quality. Medium body, nice finish, good-enough texture. I can dig this brew, though it doesn’t wow me, nor is it designed to...these are meant to be simple, table beers, if I’ve got it right, and it matches that description ably. A nice thing to whet the whistle and wash down dinner, a good thing to pass down the gullet easily, if it’s affordable.

Hazy golden colour, small white head. Aroma of pears, yeast and bready malt. Flavour was of pears, peaches, musty yeast, spices and some sugar. Medium body and carbonation. Finishes slightly spicy with a mild bitterness.