La Bavaisienne Ambrée

Brewed by Brasserie Theillier
Style: Bière de Garde
Bavay, France

Clear copper colored with a large rocky white head. Toasty,malty, caramel aroma with the slightest hint of barnyard. Malty with a subtle sweetness, dry in the middle hints of funk and ripe fruit, finishes fairly bitter.

No date on it, but maybe 2 years old. Bought from John's Grocery in Iowa City. I cleaned them out. Deep amber, nice head, great lacing. Aroma of MALT, background come the hops, bit of oxidation? or is that Brett?...just enough to act as a "highlight". Massively malty beer with firm bitterness, refined for a hick(farmhouse) beer!! not bitter, but balanced maybe just barely towards it. That bit of funk/oxidation comes back at the finish, then is overwhelmed by malt and hops and an interesting herbal?? yeastiness?? Great modified malt flavor, melanoidin/carmel flavors are fabulous. This is something I could drink forever and ever. I think it would make a perfect thanksgiving beer(for USA folks) with oven baked turkey and stuffing...dunno why

Seriously folks, buy this beer, drink it, and love it. Wow. Fiery amber color, huge white head that hung around for the entire glass. Strong aroma, hops, wine, barnyard funk, fruits and honey. Palate is incredible, the carbonation is soothing. The fullness of its body tops all other bieres de garde, and dominates any wine I've ever had (not that we should be comparing here). I can't even describe the complexity of the malts in this, just beautiful, rich and almost creamy, dough and bread; somewhat dry finish. C'est fantastique! Bottle found at Julio's Liquors in Westboro (go there).

Aroma is fruity, but more subdued. A distinct metallic quality to it. Caramel sweetness, sugar, pears, carbonic acid. Appearance is dark copper amber clear with light lacing off-white head. Palate is medium watery with medium-high carbonation. Smooth, fruity, sweet up front, light acidity. Finish is much drier and more bitter, like a nice tripel. Belgian yeasty taste, musky. After is nutty, light bitter. This seems to be aged more, it’s mellowed quite a bit and the fruitness has subdued for more dry, bitter quality. Very nice. (7,4,8,4,16)

A nice beligan type ale-not a style I'm very familiar with, but a nice solid beer. Not too funky or unusual-not much in the way of esters or anything. Interesting though..

Copper color with a nice fluffy off white head atop my snifter and also some lacing. Sweet aroma of grassy hops, malt, and citrus. Taste of dry, citrus hops, earth, and an alcoholic twang. A very nice biere de garde.

Clean golden beer. Nose starts out with wet dog, going into more pleasant fruity aroma with a tweek of tartness. Candy sugar with some nice hops to combine, and a nice citrusaftertaste which made the mouth happy. Good stuff.

Medium amber color with a nice head and lacing. Lightly hoppy and slightly fruity aroma, boring. Flavor is light. Slightly hoppy, light malt tones and hints of citrus fruit. Finish is stringent and unpleasing.