Bièropholie Azimut

Formerly brewed at Bièropholie
Style: Old Ale
, Canada

2005 bottle from Rastacouere, drunk on 10/6/06
Medium amount of chalk-tinged beige/tan head slowly recedes to cover and eventually a ring, leaving minimal lace. Clear and filtered, unfortunately, with a mahogany and beige colored body showing soy-auburn highlights in the light and some lighter brass notes near the surface.
Light breadiness in the nose signals a touch of carbonation mingling with crytal malts. Very clean yeast presence, as usual for this brewer with just a splash of light peppery phenols on the finish. Mainly a light choco-caramel sweetness, with hardened pumpernickel notes balancing. Hops have mostly faded, though some citrus and pine notes still survive, adding a fruitiness that is welcome, though perhaps too reserved. What you would expect from an old ale, some raisins, prunes, figs, plums, dates, etc... is not completely lacking here, but just too drowned out by the hard crystal malt and slight cardboard/breadiness. The aroma is only medium in strength, and no alcohol is noted.
Flavor is again highly clean, beginning with breadiness, some very minimal vinous/oiliness suggesting prunes and sweet raisins and then a large drying effect is felt. Mostly hard crystal malt, dried bread and a touch of almond/vanilla, it seems to take control and stretches the beer very thin by the finish. The malt potential noticed right away runs out of steam. Perhaps due to the filtered nature and forced carbonation. Whatever the case, it ends as a well-made if rather simple and forgettable beer. Carbonation is moderate, somewhat overdone initially, but settling well enough. Alcohol is not perceived, though there is a tinge of sharpness on the very end, probably more a tannic quality from the hops and/or malt.

Thanks to Clark for sahring this at the blind old ale tasting before KSB 06. I think this was an aged bottle due to the oxidation. Pours slight hazy deep ruby almost brown. Light oxidation with lots fo thick carmel malts and ripe fruity esters- very nice. Lighter flavor, with more oxidation, and some light lingering sweetness and nuts. Ok overall, but a bit weak.

Bottle. Slightly hazy amber, creamy head on top. Clean and refreshing. Fresh hoppy nose, gentle malt character. Clean bitter front, earthy-woody midlle, medium roasted malts in the finish. Reminds me of Alt beers.

Caramel and malt nose, cloudy copper, small toffee head. Taste is almonds, fine malt and red plums. Medium bodied, bitter as all get out, well balanced, complex. Very good.

Rich copper in colour, small tan coloured head, some light spotty lacing. The aroma is of piney hops, rich caramel malts, good sweetness. The flavour is quite hoppy (pine, high amounts of citrus), some caramel malts. Highly bitter mouthfeel, medium body, high carbonation. Finishes with a lingering hoppy bitterness. This is lacking the oomph of the other Bièropholie beers making this sort of a disappointment.

<font size=-2> 341ml bottle obtained in a trade with <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/ViewUser.asp?U target=blank>Rastacouere, thanks David. No best before date.</font>

341ml bottle (B!) Deep copper with a medium beige head. Aroma is oak, caramel, roasted malt and raisins. Taste is similar, with a long bitter finish (fuggles?) from hops. A beer with a lot of caracter!

Bottle thanks to HogtownHarry! Thank you. Upon pouring, it blasts a huge fizzy beige froth that lasts like mochaccino! Deep copper body.Huge prune/fig aroma, cognac, burnt brown sugar, grapes, and lots of yeast that doesn’t necessarily befit the other aromas. Flavours are semi-sweet, grapey, malts, burnt caramel, oak, with a finishing touch of tartness. Yeasty and fizzy finish. Interesting. As it warms the booze pretty much kicked my ass. And I drink Aventinus like it is going out of style. I’ll be honest, this one got me ripped up. Thanks Harry!

Very cool label!!! Copper colour with a nice frothy off-white head. Citrus & sweet grass aroma maybe a bit of caramel also. Flavours are very fruity, some eucalyptus/mint with a smooth mouthfeel. Only drawback - It’s a little tart.