Brasserie d’Achouffe La Chouffe Belgian Strong Ale at 8.0% ABV
Pours a clear golden blonde with a fat two fingers of fluffy white head, great retention and heavy lacing. Nose is yeasty banana, stone fruit, sweet malt. Taste is hoppy bitter and balanced sweet biscuity malt. Mouth feel is lively with sustained carbonation, medium body but crisp, with an off-dry finish and a well-integrated mild warming.
Quite pleasant, if not quite as nice as the Houblon Chouffe (tripel). Nose and flavour are both a little coarser and heavier than the tripel even though the ABV is lower. However, that’s not to denigrate the beer overall: it suffers slightly by comparison, true, but overall is a very solid performer.
My 78th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers, 74th by the 2013 Edition, or 80th overall.
7.5/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
