Brown bottle, 341 ml, 5 %; eye: light orange, really slightly hazy, white head with a brownish spot in its middle as a result of the deposit at the bottom of the beer, light effervescence, lacing; nose: caramelized malt, floral hops, alcohol, madeira; mouth: malt, hops, destabilising acridness, caramel, finale in malt with a hint of corn and caramel, lightly sweet, mildly bitter, medium body, creamy texture but rather thin, not much carbonation; overall: ok FRANÇAIS Bouteille, brune, 341 ml; oeil : léger orangé, très légèrement voilée, mousse blanche tachée en son centre par un dépôt en son centre, légère effervescence, dentelle; nez : malt caramélisé, houblon floral, alcool, madère; bouche : malt, houblon, âcreté déstabilisante, caramel, finale en malt avec une pointe de maïs et de caramel, légèrement sucrée, moyennement amère, corps moyen, texture plutôt crémeuse et curieusement mince, peu carbonatée; en résumé : correct

2005 bottle from Rastacouere, drunk on 10/6/06
Medium amount of chalk-tinged beige/tan head slowly recedes to cover and eventually a ring, leaving minimal lace. Clear and filtered, unfortunately, with a mahogany and beige colored body showing soy-auburn highlights in the light and some lighter brass notes near the surface.
Light breadiness in the nose signals a touch of carbonation mingling with crytal malts. Very clean yeast presence, as usual for this brewer with just a splash of light peppery phenols on the finish. Mainly a light choco-caramel sweetness, with hardened pumpernickel notes balancing. Hops have mostly faded, though some citrus and pine notes still survive, adding a fruitiness that is welcome, though perhaps too reserved. What you would expect from an old ale, some raisins, prunes, figs, plums, dates, etc... is not completely lacking here, but just too drowned out by the hard crystal malt and slight cardboard/breadiness. The aroma is only medium in strength, and no alcohol is noted.
Flavor is again highly clean, beginning with breadiness, some very minimal vinous/oiliness suggesting prunes and sweet raisins and then a large drying effect is felt. Mostly hard crystal malt, dried bread and a touch of almond/vanilla, it seems to take control and stretches the beer very thin by the finish. The malt potential noticed right away runs out of steam. Perhaps due to the filtered nature and forced carbonation. Whatever the case, it ends as a well-made if rather simple and forgettable beer. Carbonation is moderate, somewhat overdone initially, but settling well enough. Alcohol is not perceived, though there is a tinge of sharpness on the very end, probably more a tannic quality from the hops and/or malt.

(Bottle 34,1 cl) Courtesy of Siroy. Pours a pretty, clear, dark orangey brown with a small, off-white head. Vinous aroma with notes of dried fruit. Full-bodied, sweetish body with loads of vinous accents and some raisins. Not much bitterness. Very interesting. 211006

341ml bottle thanks to MartinT. Poured into a tulip glass. Pours a brownish black with s small head that quickly dissapates into small lacing. Aroma is strong with raison, sherry-ish cherry, some metal one may even say. But mainly I would say its a pruney alcohol. Taste is a bit metallic, with that alcohol pruneness present. A rather thin body, creating a watery mouthfeel. Low bitterness and a slightly less than moderate carbonation. A rather simplistic beer actually with not much going for it except its strong, canadian, and hard to come by. But sometimes thats all it takes.

Dark clear brown ale with a thick moka head. Sweet caramel and peat aroma with notes of figs and molasses. In mouth, a sweet caramel with warming alcohol, figs and prunes. Nice treacle sweetness. Rich and smooth. Like touching Mig’s calves in the moonlight. Tated Oct. 6, 2006 at a Dumdum/Duvell gathering. 750 ml X-mas bottle from Dec. 2005.

Brown bottle, 341 ml, drank at L’autre œil; eye: burnt orange with amber reflections, no effervescence, lightly veiled; nose: floral hops, hops and hops; mouth: hops, hops, hops, a hint of caramel and hops, medium body, quite bitter but still refreshing; overall: I like FRANÇAIS Bouteille brune, 341 ml, bue à L’autre œil; oeil : orange brulé avec reflets ambrés, pas d’effervescence, légèrement voilée; nez : houlbon floral, houblon, houblon; bouche : houblon, houblon, houblon, touche de caramel et houblon, corps moyen, pas mal amère mais rafraîchissante; en résumé : j’aime bien

2005 vintage. Bottle at l’Autre Oeil, June 16, 2006. Deep black porter with a thick creamy moka head. Smoked herring aroma, with notes of burned coffee and bitter chocolate. In mouth, a rich chocolate malt, with smokey peat notes, BBQ, coffee rinds, rich, complex, and surprising.