St Feuillien Brune

St Unpronouncable gave us a very beefed up Blonde beer that I enjoyed thoroughly a couple of weeks back, up here we have their 'Brune'. Not really sure what 'Brune' means, I'm going to guess 'Brown'? Perhaps it's a Brown Ale? It's an 8.5% beer, like much of the Belgian brewing brotherhood. That's all I can tell you because there isn't a scrap of English on the bottle. Interestingly 'Vitamin C' is one of the ingredients listed, so it's safe to assume that this is a healthy beverage and perhaps one to drink if you feel a cold coming on. I have read that naturopaths have even suggested it be used for colonic treatment.

The beer does pour a deep cloudy brown with a whopping head, that subsequently almost ended up on the floor. The first thing I noticed was the punch of alcohol, which was far more noticeable than in the blonde. It does require a bit of focus and patience. On about the third sip some of the dominant flavours started filtering through. It tastes a little bit like biscuits and caramel with some feint berry like flavours. Something dark, perhaps blackberry. The finish is dry and bitter and this is really where the hops pop up and say hello.

It's a decent beer, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as the Blonde though. The flavours are probably deeper, but it's nowhere near as refreshing and doesn't hide the burn as well. You can't question the craftsmanship, it's a masterfully brewed beer, simply put at the end of the day it just didn't push all of the right buttons. If you're a Belgian beer head then it's worth a try, if not then don't last any sleep.

7/10

Wicked Elf Pale Ale

This beer has a fitting title, as I am currently deep in a Skyrim hole. Anyone else out there whose played it will know what I mean. Wicked Elf is produced by 'The Little Brewing Company', who are based in Port Macquarie. The label describes the beer as brewed in an American style using Australian and English Barley, and American hops.

The beer pours an impressive light amber/copper colour, but does look flatter than a tack, on Alicia Silverstone's surfboard. There is about as much head as the famous horseman. The flavours are quite interesting, and you can give them some originality points here. There are some caramel/nutty qualities like an American Pale Ale or Amber right at the forefront. The midpoint an aftertaste however, are as bitter as the atmosphere in the Jolie household after a rejection on an adoption application.

It's an interesting beer, that has to be said. The feel of the beer is moderate, but solid. and the flavours are substantial. Somehow though, it all feels a bit underwhelming. It may well be due to the carbonation. More often it's over carbonation that unbalances a beer but in this instance it's the lack thereof. This is always tough because I've had many a better Pale Ale, but at least the Wicked Elf runs it's own race. Solid effort, there could be some improvement to be had out of this base though.

6.5/10

Water, Malt, Hops, Yeast

I believe this is Swords Select's own brew, they have that little beer and wine stand at the Prahran Market. Rather than come up with some sort of shrewd marketing garb or a unique angle, they've simply named the beer after it's ingredients. Or have they? Given the boutique beer boom in the country, and Melbourne in particular, the desire for 'homemade', 'organic', and 'natural' beers has never been higher in the post-industrial era. Rather than rabbit on about how bare bones their beer is in a blurb on the bottle, they've hit that nail on the end in the title of the beer itself. Well Played.

The beer looks fantastic in the glass. It pours a deep, thick, and murky orange and yellow haze. This beer is not just cloudy, if you flew a plane through it you'd end up with half of cattle class on the ceiling. This follows through on to the feel of the beer to an extent. It's still light, but you can just feel... stuff in there. I don't know if that makes sense or not, but there's depth to the beer that you can feel. The flavours of the beer are as titled. Malt and hops dominate the scene, with sharp witbier like carbonation.

It's in interesting marriage. The flavours and murky body are counterweighted by the light feel and sharp carbonation. It's not overly smooth, yet is still well balanced. I really did enjoy this beer. It's pretty basic, but I appreciate that. You would probably have to find a Swords Select to try this, but if you do, I can vouch it's worth trying.

7/10

Brooklyn Brown Ale

I've had two beers from these blokes to date, and I have to say that they have both been sturdy and reliable. Like a modern day Volvo. I say modern day, because there's a little bit of punch in there. Their Lager was unique and their IPA swung for the rafters. This was the last beer in my fridge before I had to re-stock the shelves, and by chance today while Christmas shopping I bought a chocolate crepe. This contained enough chocolate to last me a month, and now I have to drink a Brown Ale. I'll try my best to not let this damage the experience.

Boom! Chocolate. The beer pours a chocolatey brown and has a familiar mocha aroma. The flavours are, as you would expect, chocolate and coffee with some malt and nuts. It's fairly stock standard for a brown ale, and perhaps a smidgen less creative than their other beers. BB's beers tend to be a bit light on the body, which was fine for the lager and mildly disappointing for the IPA but it's a blessing for the Brown Ale. The deep, rich flavours need to be balanced out and this comes in the form of a refreshing body.

I have to admit this was deeper than I expected. It's almost like watching Katy Perry discuss string theory. This is probably the most complex of Brooklyn's beers. The IPA was aggressively hopped but there wasn't a hell of a lot else going on. For someone who doesn't really eat a lot of chocolate, I now need to go and have a lie down...

6.5/10

Blanche De Namur

Wheat beers have never really been high on my list, and while I've had some decent ones during this challenge none of them have really grabbed me by the jugular. Still...I strangely find myself hankering for one all of a sudden. After countless Trappist ales and complex IPAs and dark ales, sometimes you just want something simple and refreshing. Enter the witbier.

This is another Belgian offering, and from memory it was fairly cheap given that it's a Belgian import. Maybe 4 bucks something? The beer pours a very impressive hazy pale straw colour, and looks 'fuller' than some other witbiers I've had.

All the normal flavours are there, there is nothing new or different to be had. Zesty citrus, spices, coriander, and the vessel they are carred in is perfect. The body is weighty but still light enough, and the sting of carbonation is short and sharp. This is like a witbier in HD. There is perfect clarity.

On a scorching summer's day thirsty mouths will become an endangered species. This is a perky, refreshing witbier that is impossible to hate. It might not sweep you off your feet, but it'll provide a damn fine quickie... and sometimes that's all you need. Who would've thought something that sounds like a regal French grandmother would taste so spritely?

7.5/10

Le Trappe Quadrupel

The medieval armies had their catapults, the world war troops had their artillery and modern generals have their carpet bombs. There always comes a time when you have to pull out the big guns. When only a rocket propelled grenade will do... there is no room for pea shooters and fisticuffs. This is a 10% AHV Belgian Trappist Ale. This is Chuck Norris wearing a loin cloth.

The Quad pours a thick, murky amber brown with effervescent bubbles streaming to the surface leaving it appearing almost like a Hindu Guinness. From the moment you sip it, your entire mouth is warmed with a fire of alcohol that is quickly muffled by blanket of flavour. The balance is critically sound. The flavours are familiar, dominated by sweet and spicy fruit and nuts. This beer is not about specific nuances, it's all centered around the fragile tightrope walk that the brewers have to tread. Producing a smooth drinking beer with 1/10th of it being pure alcohol is as daunting a proposition as your first battle against Dr. Wily while playing Megaman as a kid.

Really it's just showing off. It's like the double back flip. Remember when people started doing back flips on all sorts of random shit and the world went crazy? Then some dude did a double back flip. It's almost rude to the rest of us insignificant peasants to go around double back flipping various modes of transportation. By no means a casual beer to drink on the balcony, but if you've got enough hair on your chest to give it a go you will most likely be pleasantly surprised.

8/10

Bridge Road Brewers Celtic Red Ale

Haven't had a Bridge Road beer in a while, too long it seems. I've always liked their range but for some reason tend to overlook them when scanning for a sixer. Their selection of beers do come with a hefty price tag. Still, you do get what you pay for in the end. Once this journey is over, I'll make it a priority to make them a regular in the fridge.

Their Red Ale pours the colour of burnt toffee. The dominating flavour is definately malt, thickened by caramel and toffee and a nutty finish. It really is a brilliant combination of flavours and from the word go this was one of the best Red Ales I'd sampled. While the beer is relatively transparent in appearance it has this creamy texture to it, in the same way that a good Irish whiskey does. There would be nary a Paddy in Dublin that wouldn't approve. Sturdy, without being heavy, and delicately flavoured without being soft. Very well balanced.

I can safely say that Larry Bird himself would approve of this Celtic Red Ale. It feels like the beer equivalent of a glass of Jameson. While not being anything outrageous or extraordinary, it's a superbly smooth customer who ticks all the necessary boxes.

8/10