Malheur Bière Brut (Reserve)

Brewed by De Landtsheer
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Buggenhout, Belgium

I bought this one during the summer 05, and I enjoyed it on New Years eve. It’s golden with a lot of chunks of yeast and a huge, silky smooth head. The aroma has notes of fruit and yeast. the flavour is not as sweet as Deus, but this rather dry beer does have sweetness, that is nicely balanced by bitter and acidic notes. I also find alcohol, fruit, among others peach and apricot, orange and other citrus fruits. If I had to choose, I think I would prefer Deus.

Bottle. Pours rich, slightly banana with a big bright white head and lots of particulate in the beer. A slight lacto funk at first on the nose fades leading to a strong yeast aroma. Interesting balance of spice (white pepper) and sweet (banana). The yeast doesn’t overwhelm the flavor like I initially thought it would. Excellent balance of sweeter malt and dry and slightly spicy yeast. Bananas, cloves, a touch of caramel, apricot and good dose of grassy hops. Firm body. High carbonation that doesn’t take away from the flavor. Give this one some time and it will reward you well.

Dark yellow colored, hazy appearance. Big white head. Strong and very rich peppery spices dominate the aroma, hops come up also very strongly, fruity orange, pineapple and peach there too. Fine aroma. Medium to full bodied, some crispy sparkling note in mouthfeel. Flavor is also rich with this same dominating pepper, nice fruits also with apple and orange. Aftertaste dries strongly with fruits still, hops turn it to bitter one when beer gets warmer. Some warming alcohol also in aftertaste.

This one kind of took me by surprise. I wasn’t ready for the carbonated malt champagne experience at the time we had it. Either way I’m glad I had a chance to try this. Poured a cloudy yellowish orange color. Again carbonated and fizzy texture. Smooth subtle flavors. Getting a lot of grape and yeast. Nut, smoke, and very dry finish.

750ml bottle, 2006 Michael Jackson limited edition (with extra Saaz hops). pours hazy golden with billowing white head. nose is spicy, yeasty, pear, and some leathery hop notes. flavor is sweet and boozy at first, peppery, sweet pear, leathery hop profile, and this dries out a bit towards the end. the feels a bit watery with a lively carbonation. tasty stuff but not worth the price.

2006 Michael Jackson limited editon 750 ml bottle thanks to drewbeerme for this sample that we put next to the Brut Noir. Tall fluffy white head that collapses on top of a hazy straw colored beer. The yeast and citrus grain nose remind me of a crisp belgian ale, but I’m quickly surprised when i taste it. Sweet belgian sugars, grain, pale malts, caramel, floral hops, and alcohol. Finishes dry with a hay funkiness. Decent but that alcohol is a little too much.

Bottle from the First Houston Tasting
Pours a cloudy, thin yellow with an aroma of zesty lemon champagne (sparkling wine if you wanna get technical). Flavor is fluffy dough with a slight coriander finish. Full mouthfeel. Not worth the price, but a good beer nonetheless.

I was really impressed with this one, and less so with the dark brut. Hazy yellow with a large white head. Sharp citrus pith in the aroma. Relatively dry. Apricot. A bit spicy. Straw malt.