 Rastacouere (5270), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Mar 23, 2005 Updated: Jun 11, 2006
Splendid dark golden hue is complemented by a brownish opacity. Initially generous fluffy white head slowly diminishes to 1-inch cover that lasts and laces adequately though not quite as voluminous as expected from Vervifontaine. Hypnotizing rustic nose, fully gueuzy and bretty. A succulent fluffy lemon pie going up the nostrils while collapsing into a floral epiphany. Those citrusy esters were obviously born in the deepest barnyard. Strong noble hop dryness is very surprising at first, incredibly dry in fact, I know I enjoy it, but I know that the complexity seems a bit limited by it, the malt fails to develop its nuances in the shadow of this wonderful yeast strain that creates all kinds of clean spicy undertones (no spices are used) and immuned to age hops (assuming this has quite a few years on it, this has certainly held up). Unfortunately a tad overcarbonated even for the style which seems to enhance the dryness and cut the flavor shorter than it deserves. It has the likeable "expanding in foam" texture characteristic of a Fantôme or a hitachino, but with more harshness from those agressive big bubbles. Not as good as the blonde (what is?), but still more than praiseworthy for amateurs of the genre and incredibly contemplating when you know this was the first beer produced by that brewer. Will definitely reward myself with both the blonde and Lion in the same session as an hommage to one of the great subdued ghosts (RIP) of the brewing world eventually. Thanks Jerry! Still available at Somerville Supersavers in New jersey
I’ve had some pretty amazing bottles since the last ratings, so I must bump this score up a bit, at this stage, it’s potentially better than my last few bottles of the Blonde.
Headbanger (975), Aurora, Illinois, USA
Jan 27, 2008 25.4 oz bottle(6/01)-A cloudy golden/yellowish body with a nice big white head and an aroma of yeast, straw, coriander, and citrus(not hops). Taste of the same with some sweetness and finishing with some bitterness. A nice tasting Belgian.
ratman197 (2274), Arvada, Colorado, USA
Dec 31, 2007 750 ml green bottle (won bobbing for beers at the Falling Rock) poured a clody gold with a lasting creamy white head and good lacing. Aromas of straw, citrus, honey, yeast and light spice. Palate was light to medium bodied and crisp. Flavors of straw, citrus, light honey, yeast and light spice with a crisp lingering bitter finish.
kp (6200), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
Sep 1, 2007 Name: Biere du Lion
Date: 11/04/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Bend Brewing
hazy dark yellow, thin fine white head, solid lace, candy sweet malt aroma with light floral hops and a touch of spices, sweet malt flavor, lots of yeasty sweetness,
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **/4
Glouglouburp (1943), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Jul 3, 2006 Cloudy dark golden orange with many many big particles and a small white head. Spicy nose (although supposedly none are used). Taste of harvesting season with, cork and a Geuzish character. Very dry and crisp, almost ferrous (rust?). Dry spices, citric acid. Unusual (to me) hop character. Very tasty and harsh in a good way. Very lively carbonation. 8% is nowhere to be seen. Quite a treat. In the "steal of the year" category, all I had to do is supply a few lousy bbq burgers and Rastacouere brought this retired 5 year old gem and a Panil Sour. I need to do more business with this guy, next time I’ll try to get his bike for a pizza slice.
jimmack (1212), Nutley, New Jersey, USA
May 27, 2006 750 ml. bottle at Jimmack ’06 Invtl. I don’t remember who brought this beer, but it was probably the most pleasant surprise of the day. Cloudy golden color with a huge rocky white head. Nice bretty aroma with the usual funkiness. Wet leather, must, coriander and a bit of tangerine. Flavor was spicy(coriander, black pepper), citrusy(orange and lemon), and bretty. When I woke up the next morning there was a couple of ounces left in the bottle which I promptly finished. It was still damn good and even had some carbonation left
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