N’Ice Chouffe

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

Bottle: some yeasty sourness, very fruity, malty, some weak cherry and berries like notes, some dark fruits notes, some weak chocolaty notes, mild but persistent hoppiness all the way through, some caramel sweetness, full bodied, alcoholic bite but a nice one, a good example of a typical belgian ale.

Approx. 10 oz. pour on tap at Blue Nile in Minneapolis. Poured into a Maredsous glass. Sampled immediately prior to the Surly two release on 1-23-08. Yeasty, mostly clean but occasionally musty, strong aroma. Tobacco, banana, pear, celery, orange, and cardboard scents. The smell is complex, appetizing, and very nice. It is reminiscent of that of a dunkelweizen, believe it or not. Pours a hazy, medium brown with an orange/tan hue and a moderate amount of uneven, cream-colored head. Produces extensive lacing. Classic taste of a complex, strong, dark, Belgian ale. Raisin, coffee, dark chocolate, spice, bread, orange, and milk chocolate flavors. Candy and dark fruit sweetness. Tart, bitter, earthy finish. Hearty, dirt-bitter aftertaste. Thick, smooth, frothy, oily, and lively in the palate; satisfying. N’Ice Chouffe is a strong brew across the board and well worth a try.

i’ve tasted a bottle of 2004 the beer was brewed by the first owners the beer was very strong and you smell the alcohol the foam was wonderful i’ve tasted the beer by 10 degrees

I like how this looks it has a dark yet somewhat clear nut brown,and light orange color with a thick tan and light brown head. It also leaves some streaks and small head spots on the sides of the glass. the aroma is very earthy and full of some light fruits and traces of hops. as it warms up and i take a sip there is a initial creamy texture with some light fruits to accent it. The more i sip on it the fruits fade out and it gets a bit earthy but that creamyness never goes away which is really nice.

Pours an orange-hued murky brown with a rocky head that fades to a thin cap, leaving minimal lacing. The aroma is fruity and herbal, with some notes of oxidation and wild-smelling yeast. Candy sugar us also present in the aroma. The flavour displays a perfect balance of hops and candy malts in an easily quaffable strong ale. The flavours present include mint, orange peel, peppery spice, grahm cracker, and berry, with a dry, clean, perfectly bitter hop finish. Nice soft, yet tingly carbonation and velvety mouthfeel.

Pours a dark brown with dark red highlights. An off-white head is quick to form and lingers for quite some time leaving moderate lacing. Aromas of dark fruits, freshly pulverized mint leaves, spicy yeast, suggestions of candy malt, and hints of funk. Taste is equally complex with dark fruits, berries, yeast, pepper corn, mint, sweet breads, candy sugar, piney hops, and a some slight earthy notes all mixed together in equal parts. Carbonation is full and lively yet the alcohol is non-existent. The finish is short and dry, leaving your mouth freshly spiced with mint and peppercorn. The first Winter brew I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all year.

Bottle. Dark brown colour with a beige head. Aroma is sweet, apple, dried fruits. Flavour is sweet, apple, caramel, alcohol, spices. Nice beer. Could drink more of this one.

Draft @ BSP. mmmm....poured a near opaque brown-black with decent dense beige head. Nose is fruity, yeasty, perfumy, with lavender coming to mind. Equally complex on the palate, with initial plummy sweetness melding with winter spices towards a delicate, flowery finish. A very nice Belgian winter brew.