Les Brasseurs RJ Death Valley Ale Triple Houblon Belgian IPA at 8% ABV | 50 IBU (C$6.86 at NLC Stavanger, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 20-Nov-2018, reviewed 20-Nov-2018)
Appearance: clear deep gold with two fat fingers of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thick cap, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus zest, biscuity malt, floral, coriander. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter mildly warming finish. (3/5)
I said it was clear, and the first pour from the 750ml bottle actually was. The second, not so much: more like super chunky style, with loads of heavy particulate. Not that I’m complaining; I do understand what “beer on lees” means. I know some folks throw out the lees, but personally I like to compare the more intense flavours and aromas that come from the lees. Not to mention, it’s against my religion to throw out beer. I take a bit of exception to the naming here: just because you use a three hop blend, doesn’t mean it’s a “triple hop” beer. At least in my opinion – and the prevalence of the biscuity malt supports that contention. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure the term isn’t actually officially defined, so I suppose you can mangle it however you like. At 8% ABV and 50 IBU, I definitely won’t argue with calling this a “Double”, but the floral yeastiness is definitely along the lines of “Belgian”. Whoever you call it, it’s pleasant enough, with a nice balance of spiciness and alcohol warming in the finish. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
