N’Ice Chouffe

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

2003 750 ml Bottle. A leftover from last year. I think that it may be worth cellaring this another year. Reddish brown, clear, tan lasting "Nice" head. Aroma of sharp cheese, musty fruit, and hops. Flavor is sharp and hoppy. Thin and thick at the same time. Malty, yet the alcohol thins tha palate. Suprised by the extreme hops in this one, especially after a year.

Tall wine styled green 75cl bottle with a big cap and no cork. 2004 Edition - Deep dark mahogany cloud with a bloodish hue within. The perfect medium sized cap grows up quickly from the pour. Its dazzling soft whipped foam is very lovely and its color is lightly off-white with a slight sandy cover. Lacing is delicate and lasting in sheet lined dangling thick strings. One fine looking glass Aroma is lightly perfumey and complexing with a dark tender fruity zip of dark berries, raisin, prune, orange zest, and starfuit. Larger then life sitting on top is one complex alcoholic spice with tinges of metallics, flowery vineous powder, pepper, thyme, and ethonalic-like heat. Taste is nearly as complex with a simple, delicate, and firm display of dark grapes, raisin, orange, and dark candied sugar. Semi mild mid range spice and alcohol noted throughout. A bit peppery and floral. Almost minty with very microscopic tin tannins making the alcoholic warmth a bit earthy and softly dry. Feel is finely carbonated and forward with a full body and fluffy, tingly texture. Dark, mildly fruity and malty; sugary soft and nearly doughy. Smooth overall and balanced with a great little additional spicy warmth and one greatly adorned quiet dryness. Warming, soft, darkly sweet, and quite good and drinkable for 10%. A very nice Belgian brew. Recommended.

Bottle @ Ølkonsortiet christmas beer tasting. Pours dark brown with a tan head. Aroma of malt, caramel, oranges, yeast, spices. Taste is malt, caramel, yeast, oranges, light psicy. Medium body, lively carbonation. 051111

2004 bottle: Very light aroma of malts and spice. Thick and stubborn head that does not settle down for quite some time. Color is a dark amber red with dense brown tint. As the back label suggests to be served after dinner at 60 degrees fahrenheit, i have let it warm up a bit after a fine christmas dinner. The thyme and other malt spices such as: cinnamon, allspice, and clove are clearly present. On the aftertaste flavor, the orange peels become more noticeable along with a purple grape sourness. I would imagine after a couple years of cellaring this ale will be even more better.

Crushed with Jakebra. Highly carbonated is light and tickling on the tongue, and I like to be tickled. Lots and lots of dark, sweet fruits in this. A absolute pleasure to drink, and that ABV is marvelous and obvious after a few sips.

750ml green bottle Best befroe date - 08/07/2011. Red brown pour, small soapy tan head. A bit murky, floaties. Malty nose, sweetish, toffee, caramel, hint of juicy fruit gum and spice. Malty flavour, caramel, citrus/orange notes, yeasty finish, dryish, mild alcohol notes and spiciness. Medium body, tingly carboantion. Another good Chouffe beer.

Bottle at De Zwaan cafee, Bratislava. Dark chestnut brown color with huge frothy beige head. Aroma of malt, caramel, orange peel, lemon, clove. Taste, plums, lemon, orange zest, dark berries, caramel, hints of chocolate, light bitterness in background. . Bittersweet, more on sweet side finish. Nice beer.

75cl bottle from Alko. Poured dark copper with a white head, lasts quite long. Lovely fruity, spicy aroma, caramel and orange. Flavor is caramel, caramel, spices and orange. Some alcohol in finish, warming, very smooth. Great brew, highly recommended.