La Chouffe

4...

And back to Belgium we go. The pompously named La Chouffe is emblazoned with a golden yellow background, and what looks like a Caucasian Papa Smurf stroking his beard contently. It's another blond, and from what I've briefly read a beer with respectable pedigree.

The ale pours a murky peach/amber colour and is far from the sparkling champagne like effect that some other Belgian blonds have. There is a solid bubbling head that fades and leaves a fingernail of residue on the surface. The feel is definitely weighted, and has a brief oily slickness to the body. The flavours are citrusy, with a smooth vanilla/caramel like underbelly. The carbonation is sharp, but in a good way, and the finish is drier than watching a Bill Murray marathon from a sandpaper deckchair.

There is though, something indecipherably odd about this beer which I can't describe. One sip tastes great, then the next average...even though it kind of still tastes the same. It's a pretty complex beer for a blond, and perhaps my still novice taste buds are not yet adapting. I can recommend it as a good drop, not my personal favourite, but we have here an undoubtedly well made beer.


7/10