N’Ice Chouffe

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

1999 consumed in 2003. Brown and cloudy with a real fizzy carbonated head. The yeast from the bottom of the bottle fizzed alone at the sides of each glassful. Dark fruits in this one as opposed to the lighter fruit in the Soliel. Nearly identical finish. maybe more spicy and complex. Surely hides the 10+% very well.

Chocolate, licorice, wood and dark fruits in the aroma. Sweet, creamy, malty palate. Smooth milk chocolate coats the palate, while a citric spice in the finish provides good balance. Fair alcohol warmth in the finish without ever appearing too strong.

On tap at Zeno’s Pub - State College, PA. Pours a copper red-amber-brown, with a slick of white. Warm ginger and honey aroma, filled with aromatic yeast and alcohol. The flavor is rich and nuanced. More orange blossom honey, fresh out of the oven vanilla cake, and snappy ginger. Spicy and vibrant. Finishes on some almond paste. Very very soft and smooth.

This big-shouldered brew was very pleasantly shared with my son-in-law as we sampled Costa Rican ceviches. (Probably not the greatest pairing, but still fun!) Big alcohol, deeply roasted malts, dried fruits, citrusy hints, coriander, yeasty spiciness, brown sugar, and plums. Really well made and exuding quality. This is a very fine winter warmer.

750ml bottle. Slightly hazy orange/amber body with a huge, foamy beige head. Complex aroma of sweet caramel, brown sugar, dry fruit, spices (coriander, timothy etc), yeast and a tiny but warming hint of alcohol. Possible to just there and sniff at the glass for eternity! Flavor is no disappointment, harmonic, warming, fruity, sweet, caramel, malt, sugar, raisins and spices. Full body and extremely delicious, alcohol is well hidden but very warming. Just love it.

Vertical, with a 2002, 2003 and 2004 and I definately perferred te 2004, but I also hate oxidation. Dark ruby color. Very subtle aromatically, comparing multiple samples. Rich toffee and spice with a pretty overwhelming bitter and acidic flavor, along with an orange tone, which may come from spices. Musty yeast as well. Never really been to fond of it.

A great Belgian strong and the best I’ve had from this brewer. Aroma was just so so. Earth, spice and dark fruit. Pour was a nice dark amber/light brown with a good bit of sediment. Taste was very good. Strong berry and spice with a nice spicy aftertaste. I would never guess this was 10% Very nice carbonation. As the beer warms, more fruit flavor comes out. White grape and pear mostly. Very complex and delicious.

Dark pour with some ruby, an off white head that leaves behind nice lacing. Dough, yeast, bitter orange, some citrus and grape to the aroma. Spicy flavors of clove and some hints of cinnamon. Malts, bananas and citrus hops are present as well. Spice filled tangy palate, full body that finishs with alcohol and hops. Nice.