N’Ice Chouffe

#961, Bottle, sampled at the Champaign Urbana Beer Club meeting in December of 2006. Hazy brown, big frothy tan pale head. Nose is sweet and yeasty, bland taste sweeter but sharp, yeasty and malty dark fruity but bland.

Bottle. Dried fruit aroma with light spiciness. Dark brownish black color. Flavor was well balanced with slight yeasty sourness that was enjoyable. Very good.

2005 bottle. One to be savored slowly. Overall, in the grand scheme of things, probably a middle of the road Belgian strong. But I happen to love Belgian strong, and this one was almost perfect in its complexity. Surprisingly light bodied for so much alcohol; Belgians do that best. Did not detect the spices or orange peel, but did detect a judicious amount of hopping. Aroma was mild, considering the style. Very tasty, and a grand winter warmer. Excellent example of a "special" Christmas seasonal.

On tap. Dark brown coloured with a medium sized head. Malty and sweet with notes of yeasts, anis, dark fruits and berries.

2006. cloudy dark brown. large brown head. malt , berry, herbs, and spices in aroma. lots of flavors. (lemon, peanuts, strawberries, other assorted tart berries, freshly mowed grass, unripe black seeded grapes, anise, licorice. sweet and sugary with tons of spices. lots of herbal notes. just wonderful. my favorite la chouffe. 2007 edition is not nearly as good, but i’m still keeping my 06 rating.

On tap at Max’s. Poured a deep ruby with a tan head. Aroma had plenty of malt, and frutis. Sugar and hops were also evident. Flavor was a little muted, but good. Fruit, yeast, caramel malts and some hops. It was good but not what I had hoped for, Ill have to try it again though.

Pours cloudy, deep brown and amber with an off-white head. The aroma is fruity and sugary with some hop aroma and some banana. The flavor starts dry on the front of the tongue and bubbly. There is some bubble-gum, chocolate, caramel, and fruity yeast. There is more hop flavor and tingly bubbles on the middle of the tongue - and the flavor tastes a little musky with hints of smoke. The beer finishes dry and cloying with some alcohol in the flavor, lots of funky yeast, chocolate, more muskiness, and a touch of grassiness. Quite nice and delicious overall.

0,7l Bottle: Deep red hazy colour, with a flat head. Aroma has lots of Malt, chocolate, sugar, timian complex aroma and it is nice! Flavor has lots of the ingridience that was in the aroma + citrus, toffee. Vine.Medium to full body, and medium finish. Nice beer!!