Dieu du Ciel Solstice d’hiver

Brewed by Dieu du Ciel
Style: Barley Wine
Montreal, Canada

Nose has sweet malt and alcohol. Pine bitterness that goes from the taste to the finish. A little thin, Pretty good beer but not the best barley wine. Too pricey ($5.99 for 11.5) Great label. I like it, but wouldn’t buy again.

11.5oz Bottle. ($5.49) Label states 9.8% ALC. A clear reddish brown with only a thin head dissapating quickly. Fruity sugary aromas, dried fruit, caramel, brown sugar. Medium to full body, velvety and slightly chewy. Flavor is sweet with strong alcohol present. Cherries, plums and candy sugar. Quite bitter in the finish. This may need some time in the bottle.

Bottle. Pours a dark brown color with a Small off white head. Fairly flat in appearance. Nose is light alcohol, dark fruits, grape skins, dates and a light sugary note. Palate has a light tingle and is fairly full with a light syrup note. Flavors of the dark fruits, sugars, and carmelization.

12oz bottle from Cloverleaf in Royal Oak. Pours murky brown with light tan head. Aroma is caramel, brown sugar, toffee, some dark fruits, little hops and good amount of sweet malt. Flavor is boozy with sweet malts, dark fruit, toffee, caramel and some hops. FInishes with light alcohol burn. Medium mouthfeel with some chewy malt. Decent barley wine.

Pours a nice deep amber color with a tan head. Aroma is caramel, toast, brown sugar, plum, some apricot, a touch of alcohol, and some earthy notes. Flavor is caramel, brown sugar, alcohol, plum, and a bitter spicy finish.

Aroma: wonderful, hops reminsicent of fresh grapes, grapefruit and green apple. Lovely, fruity malt, liquorice, roasted, sourish. Oh my, those are really lovely. A slight vanilla sweetness merges with the nice deep, fudgy malt. Alcohol and some faint esters. Raisins and brandylike tones. There’s something nutty alongside the alcoholic fumes. Hard to place, but the aftertaste suggests hazelnuts and/or macadamia. A musty tone reminsicent of lingonberries can be sensed.
Flavour: sweetness hits you, but in no way overwhelms, and is backed up by a grown up bitterness provided by acrid and refreshing hops. Slight tartness as of apple peel. Malt provides subtle tones of bitter cocoa and fine coffee beans. The aftertaste is long, extremely balanced and satisfying. This is perfectly balanced. Few beers are so beautifully designed (I come to think of Old Rasputin).
Appearance: A very deep orangey red body covered by a frothy, slightly sticky, yellowish thick foam. Looks invinting.
Palate: Thick, creamy, very full-bodied. Really thick and fluffy on the tongue, slightly hot on the palate. No lack of carbonation; very soft and natural feeling however. Very, very nice and thick. Even the burps are highly enjoyable.

Draft at Volo. Pours dark amber. Nose of caramel and rasins. Big body, sweet. caramel and toffee notes. Finish is slightly bitter, but not prolonged.

Bottle, 2008-12-25 , Göteborg AR: sherry, hops. AP: dark brown body, light beige coloured head - lasting F: americans hops, alcohol, great bitterness, honey? The lable is great!