SoLan (1369), Orlando, Florida, USA Apr 12, 2006 Very dark brown/ruby. Large, dense, tan head. Aroma of bready yeast, grainy malt, earth, and subtle spice. For the flavor add some toasty notes. Dry, yeasty finish and aftertaste bring peat and dark fruits, a strange pair to arrive at the same time. Alcohol is evident in the palate, but not the taste. Full body is a little more carbonated than balanced. Let it sit for awhile. Very nice lacing. Definitely more flavor coming out as it approaches room temperature. Why do I even bother chilling them? Most of the good ones are a hell of a lot better at room temp. More peaty malt, dark fruit, and earthy, anise like spice in both flavor and aroma. Great brew. Now I’m looking for the Nice Chouffe, too bad it’s April. DYCSoccer17 (2187), Davis, California, USA Apr 11, 2006 Bottle. Fruity, estery pineapple-banana aroma with just a mild touch of caramel in the aroma. As this warms, a mildly chocolate and anise-like aroma starts to claim a small foothold. Smells very Belgian, but nothing like a scotch ale in my opinion. Mildly hazy amber/garnet body with a frothy off-yellow head and some nice lacing. Fruity pineapple/pear-like start, turning more yeast-like in the middle. I get lost of yeastly flavors, with some earthiness late. Mild woodsiness follows along with some scant roasted coffee flavors. Disappointing if you’re expecting a tradtional scotch ale outta this one... hiphops (280), caldwell, New Jersey, USA Apr 8, 2006 smells nutty. looks brown with a hint of cherokee red. tastes decent nothin to write home about. smooth and creamy but no real wow factor. still though its good. Bailz316 (221), Mendham, New Jersey, USA Apr 6, 2006 Dark brown with frothy head. Aroma is of fruit and some toffee. Malty and sweet. Very nice brew. masedawg (156), Statesville, North Carolina, USA Mar 24, 2006 Murkey brown with a nice froathy head. Heavy fruit aroma fills the nostrils nicely (on a side note ive got a cold and the aroma feels good on my soar throat). More alcoholic flavor than the other scotch ale that I had. Still a pretty earthy flavor. Palate lingers nicely. Grab one. ALLOVATE (1126), Perth, Australia Mar 23, 2006 A’Chouffe’s La Chouffe has been on speedy rotation from cellar to fridge to glass for years now, yet I’ve kept this one in the dark for more than 2 years without the need to crack it. Well, tonight was the night the seal was broken, and the reward was worth the wait.
Into a La Chouffe tulip, cool but not cold. Deep, deep garnet body, shimmering in the light, and crowned off by a wonderfully thick, creamy beige head that I think is the hallmark of this brewer’s beers. Stretched a good two inches up the spout, stabilised and frosted over the glass as I downed it. Xmas fruitcake aroma with light notes of toffee, burnt toast, figs and prunes, and a good dose of vinous, spicy alcohol. Becomes a little woody after a few whiffs, a damp forest floor comes to mind, unusually inviting. Strong and rich in the mouth. Starts off with aged plums, caramel and walnuts, doughy yeast and dark malts, and a light hint of roasted grain. Lively carbonation throws the flavours around the palate and moves it along swiftly. Develops a pleasant, fruity sweetness like sultanas, dried cherries and figs, which balance the nutty, darker malts. Finish is all topsoil, fell fruit and wood which gives the impression of something nasty, but it works to make this a delicious brew. Alcohol is nowhere to be seen, despite being noticeable in the aroma, and in this one’s case is a bit of a let down as it is too easy to drink. It’s like liquid fruitcake. Lovely!!! (75cL, 2005, Con’s Case place [now under new-management]) Jine (889), Nutley, New Jersey, USA Mar 20, 2006 3.18.06 Split with AdamSkillin. Dark brown beer. Great Belgian Scotch Ale (ha!) Very enjoyable, unfortunately I had this kind of cold I think and it just would not warm up for me. Even a few degrees more and lots of stuff would have exploded out, but even so I agree with Adam. Winner AdamSkillin (376), High Bridge, New Jersey, USA Mar 19, 2006 Awesome dark belgian beer, not overly hopped, nice and smooth. Had to warm it up for about 15 minutes before the flavors came out, only wish it had a cork instead of a bottle cap. Really dark brown, not black beer, slightly spiced palate, drank it in a huge wine glass because it was the closest I had to proper glassware. Very drinkable and pleasant for such a strong beer, maltiness and toasty with a tiny bit of spice covers up the flavor of alcohol.
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