8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

16 ounce can into tulip glass; no can dating, but is a recent release. Pours slightly hazy/cloudy orange/amber/light copper color with a 2 finger fairly dense and fluffy off white head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big melon, pear, apricot, apple, white grape, light banana/clove/pepper, honey, caramel, toasted biscuit, herbal, light funk, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/earthy yeast and moderate dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big melon, pear, apricot, apple, white grape, light banana/clove/pepper, honey, caramel, toasted biscuit, herbal, light funk, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal bitterness and yeast spice/tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of melon, pear, apricot, apple, white grape, honey, caramel, toasted biscuit, herbal, light funk, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/earthy yeast and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; with a great malt/yeast balance, and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Minimal dryness from bitter/spiciness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, creamy/bready/grainy, and lightly silky mouthfeel that is nice. Zero warming alcohol for 7%. Overall this is a great Biere de Garde. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/earthy yeast and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth, easy, and pretty refreshing to drink. Awesome yeast/malt balance; and not overly sweet or heavy feeling. A really enjoyable offering.