Brasserie Artisanale de Rulles La Rulles Blonde Belgian Strong Pale Ale at 7% ABV ($10.50 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 750ml, best before 31-Aug-2015)
Pours clear (turning cloudy) straw with two fingers of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, spotty lacing. (4/5) Nose is pale malt, mild Belgian spice, apples and light citrus, mild yeast and grassy hops. (8/10) Taste is mild sweet, moderate bitter, mild funk. (8/10) Light body, prickly carbonation, off-dry bitter finish. (4/5)
That’s a heckuva beer – very well-balanced and behaved, with a pleasant bitterness and not too much sweetness. There’s a little funk that’s almost Brett-like in character, in addition to some characteristic Belgian flavours and a honey-like note in the otherwise dry and bitter finish. Side note – the caps on La Rulles beer are made from the hardest substance known to man and can apparently not be removed intact. They’re, like, high-security tamper-proof caps, but given the value of the contents, I guess that’s appropriate. (16/20)
My 131st from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers (retired from the 2013 Edition) and 137th combining both editions.
8/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
