#argentina

660 mL bottle, $5 @ HyVee, Storm Lake, IA. Batch R138: This may be the only batch to be imported to the States, I bet. Guess I was taken in by the label calling it "Belgium Style," meaning what? Their web site tells of the founder learning brewing in Czechoslovakia. And by the idea of an imported beer totally sourced in its country of origin. Their web site only mentions aging in wine barrels. Lot of yeast in the bottom, so I’m pouring slowly to see a cloudy amber beer with some champagne effervescence. Smell shows a little sourness from either brett or wine barrel. Opinions on this one are all over. I’m just going to say it’s "different." Very bubbly, slightly cheesy, and with some wine and cider notes. Hops are there in a bit of citrus tartness, as is some amber malt. Some of this may be because it’s an old bottle, I spot the same batch on a rating from January 2009. A strong sparkling brut impression builds at the end. Gotta say it’s more like some of the old, overwarmed bottles of Casteel I’ve had. Current taste may not be what the brewer intended, but I find it interesting. At least it’s not some headache inducing crappy Minhas malt liquor. Besides, it’s brewery way up in the friggin’ snow-capped Andes, closer to Santiago Chile than anywhere else (Google Map 32°57’21"S,69°17’54"W to see). There’s a place I’ve got to visit for a beer!

Dark Red, creamy. Strawberries, caramel smooth body. Very malty. A bit of cotton candy. Well made.

Bottled, thanks Lilith, Nigredo & Panzerfaust! Pale amber, airy head. Toffeeish nose with a touch of cranberry juice and peach. Medium sweet with rounded mouthfeel. Mild, fruity and very caramelly, lightly salty. Low bitterness. A fairly pleasant beer.