Malheur Bière Brut (Reserve)

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

Bottled. Pale golden, not entirely clear, with a huge white head. Almost unbelievable preassure in the bottle. Some acidic notes in the aroma, with candi-sugar, fruits, orange and alcohol. The flavor has alcohol, sweetness, sour hints and frutiy notes. A bit thin body I think, with alcohol, sweetness and fruityness in the finish. A complex beauty. (060829)

In short: A Tripel-ish Belgian Ale on steroids. Honeyed sweetness, citrus fruits and a ton of dry grassy hops all come together in an heavenly manner
How: Bottle, 750ml, 3 to 6 months old
The look: Slightly cloudy golden-yellow body with a large white head.
In long: Nose is that of a superb tripel with citrusy fruits and dry grassy hops. Satisfying body full of pale malts and honey. Very yeasty with plenty of citrus/lime/etc notes. Champaign-like astringency. Surprisingly, lots of grassy hops with a dry bitterness. Bubbles, lots of bubbles and more bubbles. Alcohol exceptionally well hidden, even at 11% it manages to be refreshing. High abv and strong carbo produce a pleasant tickling sensation. If all brutes where as refined as this Brut a hockey fight would be two guys calling each other rude and bad-mannered.

Superlatives best describe this beer attributes. Fantastic presentation, huge carbonation, thick head, clear golden color. Incredible nose of honey, peach, citrus, flowery and a bit yeasty. Starts very sweet but is extremely well balanced by a peppery/dry finish, no trace of alcohol in the taste. As others have pointed out, it is impressive how this beer is 11% and still very refreshing. The body is round and firm without being the least cloying. Overall, the best beer I have ever sampled up to now. I found it very versatile as served cool, it is a very nice apperitif and warmer, a delightful digestif. It does really compare to champagne, both for its taste and price!

Lightly hazed golden ale with a thick onctuous white head. Crisp malt with coriander, herbal spices, light thyme and black pepper, a bit of catnip. In mouth, a tingling spciey malt with good coriander, celery slat, hops, and oily mouthfeel. Rich and smooth. Mondial 2006.

Sampled at Mondial 2006. A light hazy gold body with a white head. The aroma was vanilla with pears. There was also some perfume. The taste was funky with leather, hay and grass. Fairly dry. There was also some dark fruit like prunes, but not fruity. There was a dry finsh with some champagne type character.

Bottle. Ornage colour with big and lively white head. Fruity aroma with some hints of yeast. Sweet malty flavor with some spicy hints. Dry spicy finish.

Bottle. Nearly translucent amber. Nose is fruit and yeast with mild hoppy/flowery notes and sweet malts. Taste is malty with cobwebby yeast notes, spices, light honey, freshly cut flowers, buttered biscuit and ripe fruit notes. Body is medium and smooth with a light carbonation feel. Finishes yeasty with sweet but dusty malts, dried fruits and a light floral note.

Bottle (ZBF06): Nice fruits. Sweet but balanced. Very smooth bodied. Biscuity malt with fresh fruits and spice. Well melded.