Brasserie Lefebvre Barbãr Belgian Golden Strong Ale at 8% ABV ($5.24 from Crowfoot Liquor Okotoks)
Pours a hazy gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, spotty lacing. Nose is sweet honey and malt, orange peel, coriander, herbal and floral hops. Taste is medium sweet and moderate bitter with building spice. Medium body, prickly sustained carbonation, with an off-dry spicy, bitter finish.
I opened this last Lefebvre with a mixture of relief and dread – “Last one, how bad can it be?” But the answer is, not bad at all. I’m not a huge fan of honey in beer, but the sweetness isn’t overwhelming – the bitter orange and coriander work well with the hops to keep the sweetness balanced. The hint of peppery spice (and was there just a little bubblegum in the nose at first?) builds through the glass and also keeps the honey from becoming sickly. Not worth buying the 8-pack for, but worth picking up if you see it on its own.
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
