ESB – La Vache Folle – Microbrasserie Charlevoix

Charlevoix is another one of those awesome micros from Quebec we’re just begining to see here in Ontario, mostly due to the efforts of Ralph and family at Volo and HMH Negotiants.  I actually got this bottle from Matt (http://onebeeratatime.wordpress.com) when we hooked up to drink some mad beers a while ago, and I’ve been waiting on drinking it since.  Charlevoix (from what I understand) has two main different lines, Dominus Vobiscum and La Vache Folle.  While their website es ne pas en englais, it seems Dominus Vobiscum brews are in the Belgian style, and La Vache Folle are other brews (English?  I’ve had ESB and Milk Stout).  I cannot wait to give this ESB a try.

La Vache Folle ESB - Microbrasserie Charlevoix

La Vache Folle ESB - Microbrasserie Charlevoix

From a 500ml bottle with a bottled on date on the back label, the beer is orange with hints of red in the middle.  The brew is nicely cloudy, as you would expect with a traditional ESB.  A nice foamy head dissipates to a good film that lieaves a nice bit of lacing on the glass.  Aroma is phenominal, nice sweet malts witha  beautiful sharp floral hop.  I can’t wait to taste it!  Oh wow, the malt become smuch less prevalent, compared to a big hit of the floral hops, that are then followed by a very resinous dry hop that sticks to your mouth like porridge to ribs in Kenora in February.  Hints of what I’ll call “garden” flavours are tucked in around the big hops, a bit of something a little green/grassy, and a nice earthy note that flits in somewhere between the floral hop and the super dry resinous hops.  So refreshing and bright, reminds me of an ESB I had once in Bath, no recollection the name.  Mouthfeel is pretty carbonated, light but somehow very smooth, almost velvety.  I wish I had a fridge full of this beer.  A really great representation of the style.  Did I mention I wish I had a fridge full?  I could drink this every day and be quite happy.  If you come across this beer, get it.  It is amazing.

Thanks, Matt, for the solid hook up.

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