Justintoxicated. - Vancouver, BC

~'cause life is too short to drink the same thing twice~
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Posts tagged "quebec"
L’Affriolante - Brasserie Bilboquet, 7% ABV, (Quebec, Canada) On the side of the label: “Sometimes it teases you, sometimes it charms you. One does not know how to approach it. A beer which is both strong and mild, slightly sweet, with a touch of spice. L’Affriolante will enrapture your evenings and enliven your days. All you ever wanted to do is to touch it with your lips and let yourself tucked in. Cheers!” My notes: My Rating: C+ Why I like it: drinkable, but that’s it Where I got it: Keg n Cork How much: $8, 50cl, May/2012 Do I love this enough to drink it again: no Would I recommend this to beer aficionados: nah Tasting notes: pours dark brown with minimal head, ringed retention, micro CO2. A rather muted nose. Tastes of demerara sugar, medium malts, caramel, cola, 8/10-level sweetness, half-creamy/half-watery, sharp aggressive bitterness in the transition to the finish. Honey is difficult to detect, mildly peppery. Medium depth, medium complexity, okay transitions, good carry, okay drinkability. Not terribly special or exciting.

L’Affriolante - Brasserie Bilboquet, 7% ABV, (Quebec, Canada)

On the side of the label:

“Sometimes it teases you, sometimes it charms you. One does not know how to approach it. A beer which is both strong and mild, slightly sweet, with a touch of spice. L’Affriolante will enrapture your evenings and enliven your days. All you ever wanted to do is to touch it with your lips and let yourself tucked in. Cheers!”

My notes:

  • My Rating: C+
  • Why I like it: drinkable, but that’s it
  • Where I got it: Keg n Cork
  • How much: $8, 50cl, May/2012
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: no
  • Would I recommend this to beer aficionados: nah

Tasting notes: pours dark brown with minimal head, ringed retention, micro CO2. A rather muted nose. Tastes of demerara sugar, medium malts, caramel, cola, 8/10-level sweetness, half-creamy/half-watery, sharp aggressive bitterness in the transition to the finish. Honey is difficult to detect, mildly peppery. Medium depth, medium complexity, okay transitions, good carry, okay drinkability. Not terribly special or exciting.

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Dominus vobiscum Brut Sainte-Reserve 2010 - Microbrasserie Charlevoix, 11% ABV, (Quebec, Canada) On the back label: “Our Sainte-Reserve refers to the sacred receptacle where sacramental bread is stored, or reserved. It is also the name of our special series of Dominus Vobiscum vintages, all brewed in limited quantities. Disciples of divine beers should be delighted by this communion of otherworldly flavors. This Saint-Reserve Brut is an exceptional beer inspired by the grandest of sparkling wines. Brewed according to the “Method-Charlevoise”, which includes the careful riddling and disgorging of each bottle, this sumptuous strong ale pushes the flavor envelope, challenging the world of traditional brewing. Purity, liveliness and refinement abound in this exquisite elixir.” My notes: My Rating: A- Why I like it: strong, smooth, and balanced honey-fruit Where I got it: Sherbrooke How much: $28 (after 10%), 75cl, May/2012 Do I love this enough to drink it again: yes with friends Would I recommend this to beer aficionados: yes Tasting notes: pours dark golden yellow, with a massive thick pillowy head, long lasting retention, micro CO2. Light malts on the nose. Drinks with sharp 8/10-level sweetness, silky mouthfeel with burp, tastes of apple cider, cinnamon, chamomile, honey, light malts with alcohol detection creeping up in the background. Finishes aggresively alcoholic and 4/10-level soft bitterness. Medium-high complexity, medium depth, good transitions, good carry, great drinkability for the ABV.

Dominus vobiscum Brut Sainte-Reserve 2010 - Microbrasserie Charlevoix, 11% ABV, (Quebec, Canada)

On the back label:

“Our Sainte-Reserve refers to the sacred receptacle where sacramental bread is stored, or reserved. It is also the name of our special series of Dominus Vobiscum vintages, all brewed in limited quantities. Disciples of divine beers should be delighted by this communion of otherworldly flavors.

This Saint-Reserve Brut is an exceptional beer inspired by the grandest of sparkling wines. Brewed according to the “Method-Charlevoise”, which includes the careful riddling and disgorging of each bottle, this sumptuous strong ale pushes the flavor envelope, challenging the world of traditional brewing. Purity, liveliness and refinement abound in this exquisite elixir.”

My notes:

  • My Rating: A-
  • Why I like it: strong, smooth, and balanced honey-fruit
  • Where I got it: Sherbrooke
  • How much: $28 (after 10%), 75cl, May/2012
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: yes with friends
  • Would I recommend this to beer aficionados: yes

Tasting notes: pours dark golden yellow, with a massive thick pillowy head, long lasting retention, micro CO2. Light malts on the nose. Drinks with sharp 8/10-level sweetness, silky mouthfeel with burp, tastes of apple cider, cinnamon, chamomile, honey, light malts with alcohol detection creeping up in the background. Finishes aggresively alcoholic and 4/10-level soft bitterness. Medium-high complexity, medium depth, good transitions, good carry, great drinkability for the ABV.

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St-Ambroise Framboise (Summer Seasonal) - Brasserie McAuslan, 5% ABV, (Montreal, Quebec) On the back label: “Behind the magnificent ruby-red colour, St-Ambroise Raspberry Ale reveals its refreshing charm from the moment you encounter its bouquet and flavour. Its delicate fruit aromas marry perfectly with the pleasant hop character typical of all St-Ambroise ales. Brewed just once a year - it’s a unique summertime treat!” (Ingredients: water, malt, hops, red raspberry juice concentrate) My Rating: B- Why I like it: real raspberry flavour Where I got it: W. 16th (?) How much: ~$12, 6x341ml, Summer 2011 Do I love this enough to drink it again: perhaps with friends Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes Tasting notes: pours cloudy brownish/red with a decent dissipating head, layer of retention, some sticky lacing, some slow-moving CO2 streams near the surface. Fruity red raspberries on the nose. Burst of 4/10 sweet aromatic red raspberries initially, transitions into 5/10-level sourness that isn’t overpowering but balanced with brown sugar malts, a silky creamy mouthfeel in the mids, finishing with a minor tartness and 6/10-level caramel sweetness & bitterness. Medium complexity, medium depth, good transitions, good carry, good drinkability. The finish ends a little rough in the mouth.

St-Ambroise Framboise (Summer Seasonal) - Brasserie McAuslan, 5% ABV, (Montreal, Quebec)

On the back label:

“Behind the magnificent ruby-red colour, St-Ambroise Raspberry Ale reveals its refreshing charm from the moment you encounter its bouquet and flavour. Its delicate fruit aromas marry perfectly with the pleasant hop character typical of all St-Ambroise ales. Brewed just once a year - it’s a unique summertime treat!”

(Ingredients: water, malt, hops, red raspberry juice concentrate)

  • My Rating: B-
  • Why I like it: real raspberry flavour
  • Where I got it: W. 16th (?)
  • How much: ~$12, 6x341ml, Summer 2011
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: perhaps with friends
  • Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting notes: pours cloudy brownish/red with a decent dissipating head, layer of retention, some sticky lacing, some slow-moving CO2 streams near the surface. Fruity red raspberries on the nose. Burst of 4/10 sweet aromatic red raspberries initially, transitions into 5/10-level sourness that isn’t overpowering but balanced with brown sugar malts, a silky creamy mouthfeel in the mids, finishing with a minor tartness and 6/10-level caramel sweetness & bitterness. Medium complexity, medium depth, good transitions, good carry, good drinkability. The finish ends a little rough in the mouth.

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Blanche de Chambly - Unibroue, 5% ABV, (Quebec, Canada) (listed in “1001 beers you must taste before you die”) On the back label: “Blanche de Chambly honours Captain Jacques de Chambly, who built historic Fort Chambly on the Richelieu River in 1665 to defend Montreal and the colony. Dispatched by King Louis XIV to lead the fighting Carignan-Salières Regiment, he achieved the legendary Iroquois peace of 1667. He was awarded the title of Seigneur of the region (today Chambly). Officers and soldiers were also encouraged to stay. Many of them married Filles du Roi and prospered. Blanche de Chambly has an alluring pale golden color, effervescent foam and a subtle bouquet of spice and citrus notes. It is mildly malty, slightly sweet and refreshingly thirst quenching.” My Notes: My Rating: B- Why I like it: clean refreshing citrus ale Where I got it: BC Liquor Stores How much: $6, 750ml Do I love this enough to drink it again: No, not complex enough Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes Tasting Notes: pours cloudy yellow-orange, small dissipating head, small CO2, thin layered and ringed retention, lots of medium-speed moving CO2 streams. not much lacing. Light malts and aromatic sweet lemon/orange citrus on the nose - very bright and inviting. Half-creamy mouthfeel, 4/10-sweetness, tangerine citrus without the bitter peel, trace amounts of coriander, slightly milky, fragrant oranges on the exhale. Finishes off-dry and 1/10 bitterness. Slightly watery mouthfeel. Low-medium complexity, low-medium depth, medium length, okay carry, good balance and transitions, great drinkability. A very nice “light” summer beer that brings to mind images of sunny beaches.

Blanche de Chambly - Unibroue, 5% ABV, (Quebec, Canada) (listed in “1001 beers you must taste before you die”)

On the back label:

“Blanche de Chambly honours Captain Jacques de Chambly, who built historic Fort Chambly on the Richelieu River in 1665 to defend Montreal and the colony. Dispatched by King Louis XIV to lead the fighting Carignan-Salières Regiment, he achieved the legendary Iroquois peace of 1667. He was awarded the title of Seigneur of the region (today Chambly). Officers and soldiers were also encouraged to stay. Many of them married Filles du Roi and prospered.

Blanche de Chambly has an alluring pale golden color, effervescent foam and a subtle bouquet of spice and citrus notes. It is mildly malty, slightly sweet and refreshingly thirst quenching.”

My Notes:

  • My Rating: B-
  • Why I like it: clean refreshing citrus ale
  • Where I got it: BC Liquor Stores
  • How much: $6, 750ml
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: No, not complex enough
  • Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting Notes: pours cloudy yellow-orange, small dissipating head, small CO2, thin layered and ringed retention, lots of medium-speed moving CO2 streams. not much lacing. Light malts and aromatic sweet lemon/orange citrus on the nose - very bright and inviting. Half-creamy mouthfeel, 4/10-sweetness, tangerine citrus without the bitter peel, trace amounts of coriander, slightly milky, fragrant oranges on the exhale. Finishes off-dry and 1/10 bitterness. Slightly watery mouthfeel. Low-medium complexity, low-medium depth, medium length, okay carry, good balance and transitions, great drinkability. A very nice “light” summer beer that brings to mind images of sunny beaches.

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Route des épices - Dieu du ciel, 5% ABV, (Quebec, Canada) On the side label: “La Route des épices est une bière de seigle à laquelle le poivre, ajouté durant le brassage, procure un arôme agréable et des saveurs relevées. En bouche, on retrouve aussi des saveurs de malt, de céréales fraîches, et des notes de fruits, de chocolat et de caramel. En arrière-goût, le poivre revient en force et laisse une agréable sensation épicée sur la langue et l’arrière du palais, permettant d’attendre le juste équilibre entre le piquant et les autres saveurs. La Route des épices est née à notre brasserie artisanale de Montréal en mai 2002.” Quick translation via Babelfish.com: “The road of spices is a rye beer which pepper, added during the brewing process, provides a pleasant aroma and flavours identified.” In the mouth, there are also flavors of malt, fresh cereals, with notes of fruit, chocolate and caramel. Aftertaste, pepper is back and leaves a pleasant feeling spicy on the tongue and the back of the Palace, to wait for the right balance between the spice and other flavours. “The road of spices was born in our craft brewery in Montreal in May 2002.” My Notes: My Rating: A- Why I like it: clean peppercorn flavour, superb balance Where I got it: Firefly How much: ~$3, 341 Do I love this enough to drink it again: Yes, in a cocktail Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes Tasting Notes: pours cloudy caramel brown, minimal head, minor ringed retention, micro CO2, very slow moving sporadic CO2 streams, minimal runny lacing. Malts and a bit of caramel on the nose. Thinnish viscosity upon sipping, immediate black and green peppercorns in the background but never overpowering, side-by-side with 2/10 sweet light chocolate, creamy CO2 mouthfeel, and a long 7/10-spiciness finish with some bitter orange peel and off-dryness. Medium-high complexity, long length, medium depth, good carry, fab transitions, splendid drinkability. A lovely beer and and ever better since I love pepper.

Route des épices - Dieu du ciel, 5% ABV, (Quebec, Canada)

On the side label:

“La Route des épices est une bière de seigle à laquelle le poivre, ajouté durant le brassage, procure un arôme agréable et des saveurs relevées. En bouche, on retrouve aussi des saveurs de malt, de céréales fraîches, et des notes de fruits, de chocolat et de caramel. En arrière-goût, le poivre revient en force et laisse une agréable sensation épicée sur la langue et l’arrière du palais, permettant d’attendre le juste équilibre entre le piquant et les autres saveurs. La Route des épices est née à notre brasserie artisanale de Montréal en mai 2002.”

Quick translation via Babelfish.com:

“The road of spices is a rye beer which pepper, added during the brewing process, provides a pleasant aroma and flavours identified.” In the mouth, there are also flavors of malt, fresh cereals, with notes of fruit, chocolate and caramel. Aftertaste, pepper is back and leaves a pleasant feeling spicy on the tongue and the back of the Palace, to wait for the right balance between the spice and other flavours. “The road of spices was born in our craft brewery in Montreal in May 2002.”

My Notes:

  • My Rating: A-
  • Why I like it: clean peppercorn flavour, superb balance
  • Where I got it: Firefly
  • How much: ~$3, 341
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: Yes, in a cocktail
  • Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting Notes: pours cloudy caramel brown, minimal head, minor ringed retention, micro CO2, very slow moving sporadic CO2 streams, minimal runny lacing. Malts and a bit of caramel on the nose. Thinnish viscosity upon sipping, immediate black and green peppercorns in the background but never overpowering, side-by-side with 2/10 sweet light chocolate, creamy CO2 mouthfeel, and a long 7/10-spiciness finish with some bitter orange peel and off-dryness. Medium-high complexity, long length, medium depth, good carry, fab transitions, splendid drinkability. A lovely beer and and ever better since I love pepper.

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La Fin du Monde - Unibroue, 9% ABV, (Quebec, Canada) On the back label: “The excellence of triple fermentation through a blend of special yeasts that gives LA FIN DU MONDE (The End of the World) an exquisitely robust flavour of exceptional refinement. This ‘liquid’ gold could on be brewed in the High Lands of America.” My Notes: My Rating: B+ Why I like it: fruity peach and ultra-smooth Where I got it: BC Liquor stores How much: $6, 750ml Do I love this enough to drink it again: Yes Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes Tasting Notes: pours cloudy marmalade orange, minimal head, little retention, small CO2, very active fast moving CO2 streams. Citrusy-peach and apricot on the nose, very inviting. Starts 7/10 sweet, highly creamy CO2, stone fruit peach, apricots, bananas in the mid, sugar rush hits, and fades into a slightly alcoholic 2/10 wheaty off-dry bitter finish. Medium complexity, medium depth, great transitions, great carry, med-full bodied, superb drinkability. Initially drinks light but hits alcoholic hard at the finish. Great party beer to share.

La Fin du Monde - Unibroue, 9% ABV, (Quebec, Canada)

On the back label:

“The excellence of triple fermentation through a blend of special yeasts that gives LA FIN DU MONDE (The End of the World) an exquisitely robust flavour of exceptional refinement. This ‘liquid’ gold could on be brewed in the High Lands of America.”

My Notes:

  • My Rating: B+
  • Why I like it: fruity peach and ultra-smooth
  • Where I got it: BC Liquor stores
  • How much: $6, 750ml
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: Yes
  • Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting Notes: pours cloudy marmalade orange, minimal head, little retention, small CO2, very active fast moving CO2 streams. Citrusy-peach and apricot on the nose, very inviting. Starts 7/10 sweet, highly creamy CO2, stone fruit peach, apricots, bananas in the mid, sugar rush hits, and fades into a slightly alcoholic 2/10 wheaty off-dry bitter finish. Medium complexity, medium depth, great transitions, great carry, med-full bodied, superb drinkability. Initially drinks light but hits alcoholic hard at the finish. Great party beer to share.

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Les Trois Mousquetaires (Quebec, Canada) 1) Lager Fumée Rauchbier, 5% ABV On the label: “Voila! A beer inspired by the Rauchbier you find in Bamberg, Germany. A dark beer made partly from smoked malt unique to this region, aged slowly at low temperatures, and put in the bottle unfiltered, with a fine yeast sediment.” My Notes: My Rating: B Why I like: dark and drinkable Where I got it: Brewery Creek How much: ~$10, 750ml Do I love this enough to drink it again: No Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes Tasting Notes: pours dark brown, small dissipating head, micro-foamy CO2, ringed and some center retention, visible CO2 streams near the surface. Smoky wood and malt on the nose. Gentle start, smoky mildly 2/10 bitter malts up front, good body holds in the mid, tingly CO2 in the mids until finish. Chocolate, smoked wood, caramel malts, creamy mouthfeel. Medium-high depth, medium complexity, good carry, medium length. Excellent body for a 5% ABV beer, and good sweetness (4/10) level. 2) Festbier - Lager Brune epicee, 6% ABV On the label: “This brown lager offers sweet citrus flavors that arise from a selection of thirteen Queb3ec malts from barley, wheat, oats, and rye. It’s bouquet is caused by a blend of Saaz Czech hops, coriander seed and bitter orange peel. The result is a wonderful festive beer!” My Notes: My Rating: B+ Why I like: fruity and firm Where I got it: W. 16th (?), Feb-2012 How much: $8.20 (after 10%), 750ml Do I love this enough to drink it again: No Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes Tasting Notes: pours red-orange-brown, small dissipating head, large and small CO2, very active CO2 streams, slippery lacing. Orange hops on the nose, much like an IPA. Lots of fruity orange up front, balanced dryness in the mid, a bit of orange blossom, coriander near the end, 4/10 sweetness, 4/10 bitterness in the form of orange peels, silky mouthfeel. Medium complexity, medium depth, great transitions, good carry, excellent balance of sweet, fruity, bitter, hoppy, and refreshing. Finishes creamy.3) Weizenbock Grand Cuvée Hiver 2010, 11% ABV On the label: “A winter brew inspired by the best of Germany’s strong beers, this Weizenbock is a rich libation which will seduce you with its lush aromas. Its succulent body and flavors reminiscent of candied fruit will be a fine companion to your cozy evenings.” My Notes: My Rating: B- Why I like: dark rich yet fruity Where I got it: Brewery Creek How much: ~$10, 750ml Do I love this enough to drink it again: No Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes Tasting Notes: pours dark walnut brown, almost no head, minor CO2 ringed retention, runny lacing, some CO2 streams near the perimeter. Strong prunes on the nose. Starts off with medium CO2 bubbled carbonation, transitions into 8/10 sweet fruity prune, dried red fig, molasses flavours, followed by a bittersweet chocolate finish. Medium-high complexity, medium-high depth, medium length, good transitions, good carry. An interesting fruity dark beer, but too sweet for me to enjoy again.

Les Trois Mousquetaires (Quebec, Canada)

1) Lager Fumée Rauchbier, 5% ABV

On the label:

“Voila! A beer inspired by the Rauchbier you find in Bamberg, Germany. A dark beer made partly from smoked malt unique to this region, aged slowly at low temperatures, and put in the bottle unfiltered, with a fine yeast sediment.”

My Notes:

  • My Rating: B
  • Why I like: dark and drinkable
  • Where I got it: Brewery Creek
  • How much: ~$10, 750ml
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: No
  • Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes
Tasting Notes: pours dark brown, small dissipating head, micro-foamy CO2, ringed and some center retention, visible CO2 streams near the surface. Smoky wood and malt on the nose. Gentle start, smoky mildly 2/10 bitter malts up front, good body holds in the mid, tingly CO2 in the mids until finish. Chocolate, smoked wood, caramel malts, creamy mouthfeel. Medium-high depth, medium complexity, good carry, medium length. Excellent body for a 5% ABV beer, and good sweetness (4/10) level.

2) Festbier - Lager Brune epicee, 6% ABV

On the label:

“This brown lager offers sweet citrus flavors that arise from a selection of thirteen Queb3ec malts from barley, wheat, oats, and rye. It’s bouquet is caused by a blend of Saaz Czech hops, coriander seed and bitter orange peel. The result is a wonderful festive beer!”

My Notes:

  • My Rating: B+
  • Why I like: fruity and firm
  • Where I got it: W. 16th (?), Feb-2012
  • How much: $8.20 (after 10%), 750ml
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: No
  • Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes
Tasting Notes: pours red-orange-brown, small dissipating head, large and small CO2, very active CO2 streams, slippery lacing. Orange hops on the nose, much like an IPA. Lots of fruity orange up front, balanced dryness in the mid, a bit of orange blossom, coriander near the end, 4/10 sweetness, 4/10 bitterness in the form of orange peels, silky mouthfeel. Medium complexity, medium depth, great transitions, good carry, excellent balance of sweet, fruity, bitter, hoppy, and refreshing. Finishes creamy.

3) Weizenbock Grand Cuvée Hiver 2010, 11% ABV

On the label:

“A winter brew inspired by the best of Germany’s strong beers, this Weizenbock is a rich libation which will seduce you with its lush aromas. Its succulent body and flavors reminiscent of candied fruit will be a fine companion to your cozy evenings.”

My Notes:

  • My Rating: B-
  • Why I like: dark rich yet fruity
  • Where I got it: Brewery Creek
  • How much: ~$10, 750ml
  • Do I love this enough to drink it again: No
  • Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting Notes: pours dark walnut brown, almost no head, minor CO2 ringed retention, runny lacing, some CO2 streams near the perimeter. Strong prunes on the nose. Starts off with medium CO2 bubbled carbonation, transitions into 8/10 sweet fruity prune, dried red fig, molasses flavours, followed by a bittersweet chocolate finish. Medium-high complexity, medium-high depth, medium length, good transitions, good carry. An interesting fruity dark beer, but too sweet for me to enjoy again.

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