Friday, February 25, 2011

Charlevoix's New Vache Folle DIPA - A Mystery!

Charlevoix's new Vache Folle DIPA has arrived on the shelves....but without the hop variety indicated! http://www.facebook.com/microbrasseriecharlevoix?sk=wall

Gérard from Charlevoix has confirmed that this is a test for us, the local craft beer drinkers. Guesses so far include: Cascade, Challenger, Citra, Golding, Nugget, Saaz and Yeoman. So far, none has guessed it though it's just a matter of time. I haven't had it yet but i just might give it a shot. Blind guess? Zeus.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Fumestrie out, Rescousse in!

Jean-François Gravel (brewer @ DDC) has confirmed that Fumisterie will be bottled through February and then will only be available sporadically ON-TAP ONLY. Around the same time, Dieu du Ciel has launched a new beer, Rescousse. http://www.rescousse.org/ . Previously brewed by Brasseurs RJ, this project promotes the conservation of animals and nature. To be noted though that this beer bears resemblance in name only to previous incarnations as DDC's take is an altbier whereas previous versions were Wheat Ales and Pilseners. DDC's Rescousse will be available year-round in all stores where DDC is found.

Personally, i really liked Fumisterie. I've tried to find some bottles but it's already starting to dry up. I have not had the chance to try the Rescousse but rest assured, i will post a review when i do!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Beer Advocate Review #244




BEER:
Creemore Springs Premium Lager
BREWERY: Creemore Springs
STYLE: American Amber/Red Lager
ABV: 5%
SERVING: Can


Enjoyed this with my supper, baked spinach ziti.

Poured from a 473ml. can. Lot A2511112:00 (canned Jan. 25, 2011).

Appearance: Massive 3-4 finger head, very white with excellent retention and lacing.

Smell: Crisp and nutty. Very shy though gets a bit better as it warms.

Taste: Nut-like with not much grain. I get hints of fruit in there and a small bitterness as it warms. Very malt-like with not much hop presence.

Mouthfeel: Decent carbonation and a nice full body, for the style.

Drinkability: Glides down the throat effortlessly. I could have this every now and again.

Overall: A nice flavorful lager that manages to keep it simple yet interesting.

Beer Advocate Review #243




BEER:
Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale
BREWERY: Anderson Valley
STYLE: Tripel
ABV: 10%
SERVING: Bottle

Thanks to jzeilinger for this one. Shared last night with my wife (my parents shared a Chimay Blue) over our supper which consisted of pulled pork fajitas. Notes are brief due to having my family over.

Poured from a bomber.

Appearance: Massive foam with a rather clear amber gold body.

Smell: Bananas, cloves & sugar. Not bad.

Taste: Yeast, banana and a strong spice overtone. Good but not great.

Mouthfeel: Average carbonation with a medium body.

Drinkability: ABV wasn't too bad though there was a little heat. Still, i'm not sure i'll have this again.

Overall: A very average tripel. Not inherently bad but there are much better choices out there.

Monday, February 21, 2011

A New Brewpub with ties to Dieu du Ciel!

A new brewpub will be opening its doors by the fall of this year. It will be headed by Luc Boivin and Johanne Guindon and will open in the picturesque setting of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

Who's Luc Bovin?

In 2006, Patricia Lirette left DDC to pursue other challenges. Along came Luc Boivin, an electro-mechanic and a brewer. Bringing with him 12 years of brewing experience from Les Brasseurs du Nord (Boréale) including inventing Boréale Rousse as well as many medals in friendly competitions with American homebrewers, he became a shareholder with Dieu du Ciel and was instrumental in the opening of the St-Jérome brewpub where DDC's bottling line lives.

This project seems very exciting and has great potential. Here's hoping some of the DDC influence will produce an exceptional brewpub. I think it will!

New Brewery: Les Brasseurs du Monde

A new brewery will open up soon (between April & June) in the town of St-Hyacinthe. They will be located in the industrial park of the town. They are planning to brew session beers as well as specialty beers. Sounds like a broad range but they will probably start with a more accessible style and go from there. There are also plans to include a tasting room where their products will available in various formats depending on the style. They also plan to distribute in all specialty beer stores. The interesting thing is that it seems to be a project involving some people already in the microbrewery business including an award-winning brewer. When i know, you'll know!

Friday, February 18, 2011

On Québec Shelves Dec. 2010 - Feb. 2010

The following are new beers that have appeared on the local shelves recently.

Au Maître Brasseur: 2011 (Belgian Strong Dark Ale) (Brewed for le Dep de la Rive)
Boquébière: IPA Belge (Belgian IPA) and Barleywine 2010 (American Barleywine)
Brasserie Dunham: IPA Anglaise (English IPA), IPA Belge (Belgian IAP) & Pale Ale Américane (American Pale Ale)
Brasseurs de Montréal: Millésime 2010 (Belgian Strong Dark Ale aged in bourbon barrels)
Corsaire: La Perruche (Belgian Witbier brewed with lemon balm & elderberries)
Dieu du Ciel!: Oak-Aged Équinoxe du Printemps (Barrel-aged scotch ale, brewery only) & Rescousse (Altbier)
Freres Houblon: Bière de Noël Double (Belgian Strong Pale Ale) & Bière de Noël Triple (Belgian Strong Dark Ale)
Hopfenstark: Baltic Porter de L'Ancrier (Baltic Porter), Ostalgia Blonde (American Blonde Ale), Ostalgia Rousse (Altbier), Post Colonial (American IPA) & Saison Station 16 (Saison)
La Chouape: Bière de Noël (Winter Warmer)
Le Grimoire: La Miseaprix (American Amber Ale brewed with Whiskey) & La Patriote (Scotch Ale)
Les Trois Mousquetaires: Weizenbock Hiver 2011
Le Trou du Diable: Dulcis Succubus (Wild Ale barrel-aged in white wine barrels, sold out!) & V (Scotch Ale aged in bourbon barrels)
Pub Broadway: Don Juan (Quad)
TchéqueBec: Pilsener 11° (Czech Pilsener, new batch)
Unibroue: La Terrible (Belgian Strong Dark Ale)




Beer Advocate Review #242


Why #242? Well, i have a been reviewing for awhile on BA but this is the first time that i'll re-transcribe it on my blog. Rather than starting from scratch (number-wise), i decided to continue the numbering sequence from BA. Here's a link to my previous reviews: http://beeradvocate.com/user/beer_reviews?ba=papat444

BEER: Solstice d'hiver
BREWERY: Dieu du Ciel!
STYLE: American Barleywine
ABV: 9,8%
SERVING: Bottle

***2009 Vintage***

Shared with my wife last night.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, bottled Oct. 2009.

Appearance: A solid brown body with blood red hues and a 2 finger tan head. Nice enough.

Smell: Best feature IMO. Spices, dried fruit, brown sugar and plums. Very heady and boozy in a good way.

Taste: Quite sweet, maybe a tad too much? Plums are what i get first followed by assorted dried fruits. A slight metallic edge. Some strong spices near the finish. Good but not great.

Mouthfeel: Strong body but lacks a little especially conidering then style and ABV. Carbonation a bit too strong also.

Drinkability: A sipper for sure but i found it a bit of a chore even for two. Maybe better when fresh?

Overall: I was somewhat disappointed with this one especially considering it's DDC. While you still get a decent barleywine here, i expected more and have had better.

Friday, February 11, 2011

The name of the game

THE NAME

Why lying in the barrel? Those who know comic books would get the reference. If not, Google Rich Johnston and you'll see why.

THE GAME

Unlike Rich, i won't really have any scoops beacuse i don't know anybody in the Quebec craft beer scene. What i will do is impart french-only news that i get for English speaking BAs (and RBs too i guess). I hope that those that bookmark my site will do the same for this.

Also, i am fairly active on BA so when i review beer and places, i'll try to put it on here also.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

New look and direction

I haven't touched this blog in 3 years. I'll progressively revamp this blog to talk about the going ons on the Quebec craft beer scene. Tune in soon as i bring news, reviews and views. Sprinkled among these posts will be random musings that may or may not be beer-related :)