BFM Cuvée du 7ème

Brewed by BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes)
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Saignelégier, Switzerland

Poured a deep copper-orange color witha nice off-white tannish head that sustained itself very nicely. The lacing was the only weak part of the appearance. The aroma was light, some caramel and almost English fruity type notes. The flavor was comparable to a Saison-Biere de Garde blend, noble hops the strongest, nice resinous and citrus bitter factor in there. Caramel malts were present with yeast in the flavor. The very last warmer sip or two did display some alcohol warmth in the aftertaste. Overall, a moderately bodied beer, really nice (almost seemed like a French/Belgian approach to an altbier). (Don’t expect an IPA, but rather a strongly hopped and somewhat yeasty amber biere de garde.)

From julio’s Liqour in Mass. 2006 bottle. Pours with a slightly cloudy amber-orange body topped by a medium thick, white head with a good amount of lacing. It’s slightly sweet yet sour with a touch of grassiness. The aroma has notes of mustard. Light to medium bodied, smooth and a touch dry.

Bottle from Holiday. Clear golden with a fizzy white head. Orange spice and hops aroma with a strong orange juice taste with a floral perfume taste to the finish. Decent.

2006 vintage. Strange brew here. Pours a cloudy, ruddy golden-honey color. A massive, frothy, tan colored head just spews from this thing, taking its sweet time to settle down to a drinkable level. Eventually, the nose emerges to reveal a funky concoction of sweet honey, dry grassy hops, caramel, citrus, and musty, earthy yeast notes. Right off the bat, you know this isn’t your standard IPA or Biere de Garde, but rather an interesting hybrid of the two. Flavors continue down the long, strange path. Honey really plays a big role, lending its signature natural sweetness. The hop character is dry, grassy, musty and spicy. Fruity notes include oranges and nectarines. Medium-full, round mouthfeel. More of a slow sipper for me. Finishes pretty clean, with a bit of the earthy yeast lingering. Very interesting, and fairly enjoyable brew.

750ml bottle, 2007 vintage i believe, thanks to i think devon, this was an ipa? pours hazy amber with huge foamy head. nose is peppery, yeasty, esters. herbal hop flavor, a bit grassy and spicy. somewhat sweet malt bill with dry finish. way carbonated. odd beer.

2006: Pour is dark hazed orangey amber with a dense soapy off white head...smell is lightly citric with lots of yeast and a strongly caramel toasty malt scent...wow what a unique flavor!!!! taste is the first thing I taste is lightly tosaty malt flavors, then a strong funky tartness...the tartness blends into a light bitterness, tightening up the tartness a little...not completely, but it does leave a lightly bitter dry finish...

From Immy’s Tasting. Just noticed, my first Swiss beer! One more country down. Hazy medium amber, little head, murky. Light caramel mixed with medicinal cherry on the aroma. Flavor was a bit of dust, light caramel, and some spice, perhaps cardamon pod. Never would have pegged this as an IPA, the hops wer purely medicinal in nature, providing virtually no aromatics. But this wasn’t a bad Belgian ale.

13.12.06 750ml bottle, 2006 edition. Those who thought their bottle was #276 might like to know that mine is 276 as well, so, I’m just sayin, I don’t think that’s a bottle number. I had much lower expectations of this brew, and I certainly don’t recall enjoying it quite as much in the past as I am enjoying this bottle right here. First of all, it’s beautiful with a giant beige head, clouded amber brown, and sheeting lace. The aromas are the highlight, for sure, with the floral perfumes of both hops and yeast, fresh cut wood, mild citrus, oh my. The body is full, creamy, and coating. It’s especially round and juicy for a BdG, I think, and with bold flavors. There is a distinct, almost methodical progression of intoxicating flavors here -- beginning with soft wood notes, apple skins, and muscat, rounding over the middle with sweet fruits, peach, mild barnyard funk, and earthy hops, and finishing briskly bitter and floral with strong biting citrus and soothing, coating mineral notes. Late and lingering spice notes (clove) are welcome and unexpected. Gorgeous brew. If it was half the price, I’d drink it three times as often.