A beer that I’ve never seen in the US before last week. $11.99 for the 4 pack of usual Chouffe, 330 mL bottles.

Pour is a pale gold. Head is wispy and airy, and leaves some great lace. Retention better than average.

More than anything else on the nose I get light hops. Very often, with all beers, that initial nose get carried through to the the first tastes but not here.

Tastes are a great combo of Belgian yeastiness, light candy sugar, simple melon like fruits (which is another way of saying soft fruit based esters), and some light, white pepper. The aftertaste does deliver some of those bitter hops that the nose promised, but it’s quite restrained. The beer is one of those that you know is brewed with skill, and is stunningly complex amid subtlety.

To truly appreciate this beer you need to understand the gamut of Belgian sales properly. If you thought this might be stronger, Belgian Pale then it’s going to miss. With an understanding of the more reserved styles, this hits. Great warm weather drinking, but if you understand the beer it’s going to work at any time.