Superstrong interpretation of an English style barleywine by a craft brewery in Strassbourg; bottle from Geers, with stylish artwork on the front label. Snow white, thin and loose, open ring for a head on a lightly hazed, warm orange blonde beer with pale-amberish glow. Aroma of candied peach, cognac, vanilla-scenting oak wood, Grand Marnier, biscuit, yellow raisins, dried fig, whisky. Candied sweet onset, candied apricot, yellow raisins and orange zest, medium carb, full and oily, eventually bit vinous mouthfeel – as full as expected at this strength, but still remaining remarkably supple and ‘drinkable’. Slick caramelly, honeyish and biscuity malt sweet core with almondy side note, ending with more candied fruit and vanilla-like woodiness, heated by peppery, Grand Marnier- and Armagnac-like alcohol, aided by a peppery hop bitter touch. Beautiful beer: utterly focused on its own concept, soft and vinous, whilst at the same time rich, powerful and full of colour, with no off-flavours, overly harsh booziness, solvent effects or other ‘beauty flaws’ one often sees in barleywines (especially the very strong ones); for weeks in a row, I encounter one French masterpiece after another, so allow me to repeat that this country nowadays needs a lot more attention from craft beer lovers. This perfectly executed barleywine and other very high level beers are the living proof.

LCI from Bière a Lille past weekend.

Very hazy yellow colour, large dense white head; aroma and taste of intensive fruity (peach, pear and grape), tropical fruity (mango) and citrusy (orange and lemon peel), as well as some bread crusty and biscuity notes; some spicy celery aftertaste; great IPA

Si cette Neudorf Red Ale est relativement simple, j'ai bien aimé sa vivacité, bien portée par une amertume mise en avant la rendant proche d'une IPA. Le visuel est sur un ambré voilé avec une fine effervescence soutenue et une mousse blanc cassé disparate. Le nez est sur le caramel les agrumes (pamplemousse, zest d'orange) avec un léger résineux. On ne ressent pas réellement le barbe rouge qui est utilisé avec le chinook. En bouche, c'est l'amertume, relativement poussée qui surprend pour le genre. celle-ci, sèche et simple n'en est pas moins plaisante. De légères épices apparaissent en terme d'arômes. L'ensemble est homogène mais plutôt vif avec un alcool qui tient bien ses 7 %. Corpulence et longueurs sont correctes pour une Red Ale qui se laisse déguster tranquillement.