Wanaka Beerworks Jay Cee

Brewed by Wanaka Beerworks
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Wanaka, New Zealand

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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I bought this bottle before deciding that I wasn’t much into tripels. Funny that the czar/archmandrite figure on the label reminds me more of an imperial stout, but the beer looks like a doppel (bruin/brune), it smells like a doppel and it tastes like a doppel. And a good one! I loved the chocolate and yeast on the aroma and I am happy not to know what carob is, or else perhaps there’s a chance I could have been less than satisfied. Flavours cover a wide range of chocolates, spices, malts, red wine, sour fruits - that cellar basket of fruits and a rather elegant touch of hops. It is medum bodied, with a pleasant long-lasting finish that makes me look at the bottle again to see if there’s any more left (I only had a small glass here at the hotel). I love the final product, in spite of the confusing presentation. JC?!?

Funny, the label said tripel rather than dubbel, yet it is ruby-chocolate in colour with a slightly greenish head that sits in patches on the top of the beer. The smell I regret to say, is of carob. I hate carob. It reminds me of dirty hippies and being deceived by my Mother’s dirty hippy frineds that it was a chocolate substitute that was just as good. Dirty lying hippy bastards. Anyway, a recerche du temps perdue... There’an almost red wine aroma to this beer as well as other spiciness. The flavour, I’m pleased to say, shows no hint of carob, but of chocolate and sparkling shiraz. It has a silky mouthfeel and then a piquant sourness at the back of my mouth. The finish dwells on chlorophyll sourness and I have to say I’m not an enormous fan.