Charlevoix Vache Folle Bravo Double IPA

Brewed by Microbrasserie Charlevoix / Le Saint Pub
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Baie-St-Paul, Canada

Deep copper in colour with a lasting average sized off-white head, excellent lacing. The aroma is moderately hoppy, citrus and caramel, mild sweetness, toasty. The flavour is quite bitter, no noticable alcohol, very juicy, quite floral at times. Very bitter mouthfeel, medium/large body, high carbonation. Finishes long, very dry and quite bitter.


I like this one. Not really a IIPA but has really good balance for a 9% beer.


500ml bottle obtained in a trade with TheJester, thanks Andy.

Opened on December 28, 2009.

Bottled on October 8, 2009.

The pour reveals a clear copper color with a thick pillow of creamy white froth. Interesting aroma of resinous, minty hops that has a tree bark feel to it and some underlying malt. Solid flavor of tree bark, resinous, minty hops, there’s also a malt presence that provides some balance and lasting bitterness in the end. The body is medium with a creamy/oily texture and moderate carbonation. Another very interesting hoppy offering from Charlevoix, keep them coming guys!

Bouteille 500ml. De couleur ambrée et claire. Nez de houblon herbeux (menthe, notes d’herbes fraîches), légèrement résineux et aux notes citriques, fruité (agrumes, traces de pêche), malté de caramel sucré avec des notes de pain, de sucre bonbon et de miel, léger d’épices (poivre doux) et d’alcool ainsi que des notes boisées (traces de bois humide et de fût de chêne). Moyennement ronde en bouche avec un pétillement moyen et une texture moyennement sirupeuse et aux notes résineuses. Goût fruité (agrumes, notes de mangues, traces d’ananas et de pêche) accompagné d’un goût amer de houblon moyennement herbeux (léger de menthe, traces de thé) et aux notes citriques (une amertume présente toute la gorgée) ainsi que des notes épicées (poivre doux) lors de l’entrée en bouche auquel se rajoute un goût malté de caramel très doux, léger-moyen de sucre bonbon avec des notes de pain et de miel puis en finale l’on retrouve un regain d’amerttume de houblon plus herbeux, plus asséchant et aux notes résineuses ainsi qu’un léger goût d’alcool réchauffant et des notes boisées (notes de fût de chêne). Post-goût long et moyennement sec, moyennement amer de houblon herbeux, légêrement résineux et aux notes citriques avec un léger goût d’alcoo, des notes fruitées (zest d’agrumes) et de petites traces boisées.

Bottle: Poured a clear amber color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of citrus hops with a nice grassy touch. Taste is also dominated by citrus notes though not as dominant as if Cascade had been used and a light earthy and grassy finish with a decent caramel malty presence. Body is a bit too light with some average carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Well done though a bit watery and not the most interesting hops available out there.

Bottle. Clear copper with a medium foamy off white head. Aroma is citrusy and sweet with malt, taffy, grass and candy. Flavor is fruity, piny and citrusy, with malt, taffy and a herbal finish. Moutfhfeel is creamy and a bit oily. Medium body. Not so complex but still interesting and highly drinkable.

Sweet spicy hop aroma. A little too sweet for my liking, but there is a good bitter finish. The simcoe double was better. This one is good but I would consider it an ipa not a double.

500ml bottle. Fair head leaves a sticky lacing and lasting light coverage. Crisp amber beverage. Strong woody hop nose, cedar and alcoholic hint of paint thinner. Woody flavour, lightly syrupy, sticky sweetness. Honeycomb and hops in a bowl of alcohol. Not as dry as I expect in my DIPA but a tasty mug.

Clear amber colour Good head, Aroma is clean, and dusty. Flavour is floral and hoppy. The hops come in mid palate with a bit of sweetness otherwise it is very malty. This was a fine IPA but not really my thing.