Mc Chouffe

Brewed by Brasserie d’Achouffe (Moortgat)
Style: Scotch Ale
Achouffe, Belgium

With the Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel hot off our palates, the gnome’s next of kin was called upon, a brew with a surprising outset. Of Scottish inspiration, the Mc Chouffe was still overwhelmingly Belgian in all respects. In appearance, a familiar moated structure of dense beige lather sprung from the streams of carbonation whirling through the glowing red tide. Obvious fig and caramel leaped forth, accentuated by the light noble hopping, and a steadily increasing complexity. Vanilla custard appeared shortly thereafter, releasing a legion of fascinating scents, from dusty pear to moss, through a series of fruits and spices including plum, banana, coriander and an unexpected hint of curry. Onto the palate, subtly weaved flavors develop upon a base of refreshing mineral water. Custard, delicate nutmeg and the chewy, buttery Nougat of Montélimar resound most conspicuously. The quiet character of this beer is reflected by the smooth and soft mouthfeel - a very relaxing effect. Dry malts, yeast and faint papaya form a long and enjoyable aftertaste to conclude the experience. A unique and enjoyable brew, but it seems to have lost the implied Scottish influence - for better or for worse.

Pours a pale brown. Ruby brown in glass to light. active off white soapy head. settled normally. First sip equals rich sweet and yeasty. Nose is of mash and primary fermentation. Vanilla and round tones in mouthfeel. finish just a touch of hops . A jewel.

Bottle [Tasting @ Per 23-02-2007]. Another implausible great beer at this evenings tasting. The head was huge fizzy and slightly off-white. Excellent lacing left behind. Body was surprisingly clear with a sparkling look and a dark amber hue. Aroma was light toasted, caramel, honey, spice, light chocolate, dry fruit, earth and notes of peat. Full bodied with a lively carbonation and maybe slight warming alcoholic texture. Super balanced flavor that kept shifting between sweet malty notes and bitter burned candies. How well balanced and at the same time complex.

11.2 oz bottle served in a Westmalle chalice. Malty nose. Clear rich brown color with a short but thick, fine bubbled, never-ending head. Creamy mouthfeel, a little carbonation sting. Malt dominates the flavor. There’s a tiny bit of sharp edge in the nose & flavor.

Dark brown with red hues and a dense head. Somewhat sweet, very spicy, malty, with toffee and caramel, a bit peaty, slightly hoppy & somewhat smoked, dry, yeasty aroma. Very balanced taste. Leans to the dry side. Lots of spice (cinnamon/pepper), raisins, butterscotch, cookiedough and vanilla. Great long lasting finish, very nice smooth smoky malt & vanilla. Low/medium carbonation, solid mouthfeel - very thick and substantial. Very good.

Bottle, 75 cl. With Francky. Dark brown beer withbeige foam. Malty aroma with spices, caramel. Taste is powerfol, and stays long in the mouth. It is sweet and has burned and fruity tastes.End with a hard bitterness of hops and spices...

Bottle. Hazy deep ruby/copper, with a big head that slowly disappears. Earthy malty aroma, with yeast, some spicy hops and a little sweetness. Medium bodied, smooth but quite high carbonation. Very dry finish.

Grill party at home July 08. 2006 Mahogany red with a nice head. The aroma and flavour have notes of roasted malt, candy sugar, and the flavour also has notes of resin, spice, raisin and other fruits. It has a nice bitterness, but we had it after Unibroues Fringante, so that would be difficult for any beer.