Central City Brewers + Distillers / Brasseurs Du Temps Across the Nation Collaboration: La Grande Rivière Belgian IPA at 6.5% ABV | 80[?] IBU (C$2.47 at NLC Stavanger, 355 ml, packaged on 26-Mar-2018, acquired 13-Jul-2018, reviewed 25-Jul-2018)
Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: pale malt, funky Belgian esters, citrus, hint of berry. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, lively carbonation, sweetish medium bitter mildly warming slightly astringent finish. (4/5)
Cranberry? Are you sure? I dunno, man, there’s a hint of berry there, but blindfolded I think I’d’ve guessed raspberry. Regardless, it’s a nice little interpretation of the Belgian style. … well… I say “little”, but as 6.5%, there’s actually a hint of warming going on. The bitterness doesn’t seem anywhere near as high as the 80 IBU claimed on Untappd, and I can’t find any independent confirmation of that, so I’ve got serious doubts. There is some astringency in the finish, but not bad at all, overall. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
