Beer of the Weekend #551: Blanche de Bruxelles
The beer from Texas tonight is not from Texas: Blanche de Bruxelles, brewed by the Brasserie Lefebvre of Quenast, Belgium.
Serving type: 330 ml bottle. The “BEST BEFORE” date printed on the back label is “20140926.”
Appearance: Poured into a weizen glass. The color is light, hazy straw. Two fingers of dense, white, almost meringue-like head dissipates slowly, leaving a thin cap and ring around the edge. Very small chunks of something (not yeast) settles to the bottom. I wonder if they are bits of coriander.
Smell: Reminiscent of radler. Lemon and coriander, mostly, and there is a little orange peel. One of the ingredients listed on the label (which is rare to see) is curaçao. I do not think I have ever had curaçao, but perhaps that is a citrus influence. The yeast is noticeable and the wheat also provides an enticing body.
Taste: Smooth and creamy. And zesty, too. The wheat and yeast are much more prominent and the first couple sips are more like witbier (very good witbier) than radler. The coriander and lemon are present. The orange peel, and I suppose the curçao, are much more noticeable as well. There is a hint of pepper spice, too. As the beer warms, it starts to lean toward radler again.
Drinkability: Tasty and refreshing. This would be a great beer for a warm summer day or evening. This is likely the best witbier I have ever had.
Fun facts about BdB:
-Style: Witbier.
-Price: Unloading a U-Haul.
-Alcohol content: 4.5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: The beer’s website lists a load of pairings. The main dish pairings are “Slow-cooked pork, white fish or poultry,” the cheers pairings are “Hard tangy cheese or cheese with a soft white rind (e.g. brie),” and a recommendation for dessert is “Beer cream dessert.”
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
Serving type: 330 ml bottle. The “BEST BEFORE” date printed on the back label is “20140926.”
Appearance: Poured into a weizen glass. The color is light, hazy straw. Two fingers of dense, white, almost meringue-like head dissipates slowly, leaving a thin cap and ring around the edge. Very small chunks of something (not yeast) settles to the bottom. I wonder if they are bits of coriander.
Smell: Reminiscent of radler. Lemon and coriander, mostly, and there is a little orange peel. One of the ingredients listed on the label (which is rare to see) is curaçao. I do not think I have ever had curaçao, but perhaps that is a citrus influence. The yeast is noticeable and the wheat also provides an enticing body.
Taste: Smooth and creamy. And zesty, too. The wheat and yeast are much more prominent and the first couple sips are more like witbier (very good witbier) than radler. The coriander and lemon are present. The orange peel, and I suppose the curçao, are much more noticeable as well. There is a hint of pepper spice, too. As the beer warms, it starts to lean toward radler again.
Drinkability: Tasty and refreshing. This would be a great beer for a warm summer day or evening. This is likely the best witbier I have ever had.
Fun facts about BdB:
-Style: Witbier.
-Price: Unloading a U-Haul.
-Alcohol content: 4.5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: The beer’s website lists a load of pairings. The main dish pairings are “Slow-cooked pork, white fish or poultry,” the cheers pairings are “Hard tangy cheese or cheese with a soft white rind (e.g. brie),” and a recommendation for dessert is “Beer cream dessert.”
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
