La Moneuse

Brewed by Brasserie de Blaugies
Style: Saison
Dour-Blaugies, Belgium

Original review date 3/13/2009... Well, I took this out of the fridge and let it sit for about 10-15 ’cause it look like it may gush upon opening and I wanted a touch of warmth. Fortunately, no gusher...just a hearty pop of the cork. No visible dating on this - 1 or 2 others in the store selling for a buck less had 2004 on the cork so I’ll take a flyer that this is more recent. Into the Ommegang chalice. Topped with an eggshell-bluish hued 2-finger meringue peaks and valleys head, this one shows moderate carbonation moving fair to middlin’ up through a slightly viscous honey-colored body. The head starts layering down like rocks and glaciers but it has some very good staying power. Nice, chunky seam we have here. There’s a fair amount of spritely citrus sourness meshed with slight pine and a carbonation kicker. Quite a bit of yeast and maybe a touch of wheat electricity. Not a huge grain profile but bright and pleasant. Surprisingly light on the palate...maybe it needs even more warmth. Yup - about 120 seconds worth. Here it comes...the dryness enhanced by the carbonation...the austere Germano-Belgie hop profile and light stewy but very dry light grains. There is a slight metallic tinge every now and then but it’s unobtrusive (sic?). With further warmth a slight blend of residual sweetness and very mild floral soapiness emerge to give an added dimension. This to me is a well-done, straightforward old world Saison. This has a base defense palate as well. Well-constructed to style without any unpleasant surprises. All the required elements are there and they work in solid synergy. Nice and dry with the yeast strain extending the finish to be a little stewy and citrusy. Selection #2 from Blaugies...I haven’t been disappointed yet. I would be proud to have this in my glass or bring it to a tasting for the style. It drinks easily without a lot of weight or alcohol burn. No-nonsense true-to-form Old World quality at a reasonable price (under $10).

75cl at brewery in Blaugies nice refreshing beer a good saison nice brewer and nice place

Bottle (from thebelgianbeershop.com). Slightly hazy orangeish golden colour with mediumsized creamy beige head. Aroma is fruity, yeasty, earthy with some slight notes of berries and alcohol. Flavour is quite much the same in a nice balance. Leaves a nice earthy/spicy/fruity aftertaste with some slight warming alcohol as well.

Bottle. Amber- orange colour with a beige head. Aroma is fruit, yeast, alcohol. Flavour is dry, sweet, fruit, berries, yeast, alcohol. Pleasent nice beer.

With a loud crack the cork rocketed out and hit the ceiling and the beer rushed forth from the bottle! Giant head as expected from a gusher. Dark orange-amber. Sweet whispery aroma of salty light lemon. Dusty funk kicks up the flavour in spurts with each sip.

Bottle. Strange (but nice) golden/pink color. Small head. Sour beer with strawberry tones and quite a lot of hops. In my opinion this beer is a little overhopped, i think the bitterness kills a lot of the nice complex flavors in the aftertaste. Nice though.

37,5cl bottle at Delirium Cafe. Pours hazy golden with a fine white head. Fresh, vinous, slight sour and hoppy nose. Taste is hay, grass, hops and yeast. Fresh, dry and crisp. Very well made.

Bottle shared at the Pizza Port Bottle Shop. Very interesting saison. Hazy golden color with a huge skunky aroma that smells a lot like a danky satchel of weed. Very spicy taste with a slightly musty and grassy finish. Almost has a winter spice character mixed with the toasted bread and Belgian yeast notes. Very enjoyable.