Beer revew 9: "Porter Robuste"

A Porter with Chipotle Peppers.

I had my first Porter with my late father as a young adult of barely 18. We were in Ontario and after work he stopped at the local beer store and got several beers to try. The porter is what stood out in my mind. So dark and rich in flavour it almost tasted medecine-y.

I was almost hoping for that same taste I had many years ago, to see if my palate had developped an acquired taste for it. This was not that kind of porter.

First I must address the peppers. Yes it  has the benefit of giving the beverage a spicy kick after a swig. But what it also does is, is numb the palate to the other flavors. So, thought I enjoyed the novelty of the sensation in the carbonated drink, I also couldn't help feeling like I wasn't getting the full taste of this porter from the "Brasseurs du Monde" brewery. I could not pick up the subtleties of the beverage.

But perhaps that is the desired effect. A neat clean taste with a kick.

It plainly deserves it's name strictly on it's alcoholic content, which averages from 8.8 to 8.5%. But considering the addition of the chipotle peppers, even more so.

I did enjoy this porter. And since it was a 750 ml (26 oz) bottle I was glad it was not a waste (a good friend of mine deserves the credit for it's discovery as it was a gift). As an afterthought I believe that it would have been a good idea to have it with some mild cheese, such as cheese curds or a fine mozzarella.

You give it a try and let me know in the comments! 

Beer review 8: Équinoxe du Printemp

This a neat no-fooling-around, above average bitter beer.

Another great product from the brewery Dieu du Ciel.

With a 9.1% alcohol volume it is not to be trifled with. It demands something as exquisite as a dish fit for red wine. As such, it was served with a double smoked sausage calzone. As you can see it's main fermentable, was maple syrup. I can't say it was an obvious flavour in it but it was distinctively there. All and all it adds a faint "mineraly" taste to the final product that I always found refreshing and thirst quenching.

If you are not fond of IPAs (Indian pale ales) this might be a bit rough for your palate. On the other hand it may very well be one of the best ways to introduce yourself to IPAs.

I give it a solid 4 our 5 burps.

Beer Review 7: Yes, a gem!

Beer Review 7: Yes, a gem!

Brewery: À la Fut (french only)

Name: Sir Wallace.

With such a name, it should come as no surprise that this beer is of Scottish inspiration. And it delivers in spades. Some people are familiar with the beer and chaser. Such a drinking "technique" is not without it's drawbacks. Though it can be a very tasty experience, it can also be, rapidly inebriating. Myself, I love a beer and chaser from time to time and this particular brew delivers the experience in a single bottle: The fine selection of yeasts and fermentation technique delivers a delicious brown beer that has a hint of scotch taste.

Yes you heard me, it's like having scotch right in the beer. And the combination flavor is stunningly good. In the series of beers I have tried from this brewer this one is by far the one to remember and though it also ranges in the 3$+  range, I eagerly recommend it as it has not only a distinctive flavor you are unlikely to find elsewhere, you also have a blend that is exquisitely executed. At 8.0% per alc. vol, you may want to be easy on it, though I can almost guarantee that you will be tempted not to. 

Beer Review 6

Beer Review 6

Brewer: À la Fut (french only)

Name L'apporteur (the bringer)

Aside for the play of words, this porter is typical. Though it is categorized as a strong beer at 5.6% alc. vol. it's barely over what is regularly found in commercial beer. If you are a fan of the style this one fills the bill quite adequately. However, this one also retails at just a bit over 3$ a bottle, it's pricey to enjoy more than one of them. Though there is certainly a price to pay for access to an exclusive beer like this one, I simply cannot justify it, no matter how glad I was to try it.

Beer Review 5

Beer Review 5

Brewery: À la Fut (french only)

Name: Ruine Papilles (tastebud ruiner)

I am almost tempted to categorize this one as a novelty item. It is intensely BITTER. If you ever wondered where those taste buds are located on your tongue, after a few sips of this one you will know. At 6.2% Alc. Vol. this one leaves no-one indifferent. With a slight citrus-y taste it has a taste that can be closely described as a good scour. I can imagine it served with a strong cheddar or a spicy vindelou. For serious beer amateurs only!

Beer Review 4

Beer Review 4

Brewer: À la Fût (french only)

Name: Rousse Rustre

I have to say, off the bat, I am not a fan of red beers (even if technically this is a brown). They seem to be a stalemate between a stout and a blonde. However for this one I make an exception. Perhaps I was a bit influenced by the beer just before (which I will review in the next post) but this was a nice clean but flavorful beer. A good malty flavour with a light hops taste. I had it at a bit of a warmer temperature than recommended (4°C-6°C), but still it was quite refreshing. It's a bit pricey (3$ a bottle) but definitely something to try, and I would not have refused a second one (neither a third).

Beer review 2

Beer review 2.

La dernière volonté.

Brewer: Dieu du Ciel

Marked or intense hops flavor. Typical Belgian style, Indian Pale Ale. At 7% Alc. Vol., it is rather strong for most consumers.

A bit cloudy with a thin head. Pretty colour and typical of the style.

Unfortunately nothing remarkable about it. A bit expensive for the yield.

Tastewise it is just as good, but no better than a run-of-the-mill "Stella-Artois" and much more expensive.

I cannot recommend it beyond trying for your own personal experience. A pint of this stuff will knock you back into your barstool so beware.