Melange A Trois - Reserve Series Aged In French Oak Chardonnay Barrels
Nebraska Brewing Company Production Brewery & Tap Room

Melange A Trois - Reserve Series Aged In French Oak Chardonnay BarrelsMelange A Trois - Reserve Series Aged In French Oak Chardonnay Barrels
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From:
Nebraska Brewing Company Production Brewery & Tap Room
 
Nebraska, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
Ranked #7
ABV:
11.3%
Score:
92
Ranked #4,770
Avg:
4.14 | pDev: 8.94%
Reviews:
114
Ratings:
417
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 30, 2023
Added:
Nov 16, 2008
Wants:
  103
Gots:
  81
Our first beer in the Reserve Series, Melange A Trois begins with a wonderfully big Strong Belgian-Style Blonde Ale and moves into the extraordinary category through an additional 6 month French Oak Chardonnay Wine Barrel maturation. The essense of Chardonnay permeates while a subtle sweetness remains from the Ale itself. Oak tannins combine to create a fascinating mesh of dry, sweet, and wine-like character. One of our favorites!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of ilikebeer03
Reviewed by ilikebeer03 from Texas

4.13/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Drank 11/29/23. Canned 6/1/21.
Pour is a light copper with a finger of dense off white foam. Excellent retention and lacing.
Nose is definitely chardonnay. white wine, white grapes, pear, melon, peppery yeast.
Taste leans a bit more toward the base beer style than the barrel, contrary to what the nose suggests.
Buttery chardonnay leads the way, hints of pear, plum, estery yeast
Crisp carbonation, maybe a bit low for a belgian style, but doesn't interfere with my enjoyment.
Dec 30, 2023
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

4.27/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bought from the Rare Beer Club. And with 304 ratings from across the country, a lot of other BA-ers probably scored this gem from Rare Beer. But interestingly, there are a wide variety of opinions. Not everyone agrees with Melange's complexity and integrated whole. And I suspect that Nebraska took a few releases before they got it right.

As for my copy, it Looks pretty; but I like a more active foam, and the barrel probably dissipated these protein swirls. Smells are apples and oak and Chardonnay; citrus notes around the edges, but this Smells of wine. Tastes are balanced in that they are distinct, but all play nice together... which is why we wink at this name. Amazingly, this ABV is not in my face and instead offers a dry, lingering fruitiness that apples and grapes do best.

I had Melange with appetizers and the meal (a vegetable stew) and a salad and chocolate cake. All pairings were satisfying, except the chocolate was a stretch. While price is a consideration, I would definitely consider Melange again.

My copy was 2021 vintage. I believe Nebraska has cultivated a peppery yeast for Melange that is as good as the best from Belgium. I'd like to try others from Nebraska Brewing, particularly since they seem so comfortable in the Belgian tradition; having more than a few successful saisons and wits. They are accomplished micro-brewers and have brought craft culture to the Great Plains and from across the pond. For that, they get some very good Overall Hugs.
Aug 26, 2022
 
Rated: 4.4 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois

May 11, 2022
 
Rated: 3.8 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Feb 27, 2022
 
Rated: 4.16 by VashonGuy from Washington

Sep 13, 2021
 
Rated: 4.31 by Abstractspirit from Rhode Island

Jul 26, 2021
 
Rated: 2.25 by Dicers from California

Apr 23, 2021
Photo of beergoot
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado

4.44/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Soft yellow body, semi-hazy; tons of carbonation rising slowly; thick and billowy head, white, dense, and creamy. Huge wheat and cracker aroma; dry hardwood, oak; mild esters as the beer warms up; a bit of herbal / spicy / earthy scent going on, too. Rich and malty taste; biscuit; a nice layer of chardonnay barrel aging in the background; phenol and earthy spiciness; low hop bitterness. Heavy body; very soft and velvety; spongy; semi-dry.

Although there is no bottling / production data on the bottle, whatever the beer's creation time-frame, it all boils down to being one incredible drinking experience. For my palate, it's the malt and yeast that are the highlights. The chardonnay barrel aging is noticeable but really more in the background, at least taste-wise. The body is incredibly smooth and rich. Without a doubt, an extremely satisfying Belgian golden strong ale.
Feb 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by archero from Texas

Sep 14, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Apr 13, 2020
 
Rated: 4.41 by CisPiece88 from Nebraska

Feb 23, 2020
Photo of SHODriver
Reviewed by SHODriver from North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from 2014ish

A: Poured into a Duvel tulip to a clear golden yellow topped by a dense and fluffy two finger white head which retains well and leaves excellent lacing as it fades.
S: Smells of fruity esters, hints of white wine with a hint of tartness on the nose, nice peppery spice, and a little bit of mustyness
T: Taste is fruity up front with some orchard fruit notes, a nice hit of peppery spice, light and dry cracker malt like sweetness with some nice wine barrel notes intertwined which bring in just a little tartness and melon. On the swallow it's a lot of wine barrels and oak with some lingering orchard fruits and peppery spice.
M: This beer has a body which is on the lighter side of medium. Carbonation is effervescent and slightly prickly while the beer finishes quite dry.
O: Overall this is a really well executed beer that has held up well to over five years in the bottle. Really nice complexity and flavor with no signs of oxidation or falling off. Definitely worth a try if you can find it and don't mind the price.
Oct 08, 2019
 
Rated: 4.14 by Luckydog91 from Texas

Dec 30, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by stortore from Illinois

Dec 27, 2018
 
Rated: 3.73 by dt_gbpackersfan from Missouri

Oct 07, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

Sep 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.17 by sparx1100 from Minnesota

Apr 08, 2018
 
Rated: 4.1 by Zonian1 from Ohio

Apr 05, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by Pearlstreetbrewingco from Florida

Apr 05, 2018
 
Rated: 4.13 by WormGod from New York

Feb 12, 2018
Melange A Trois - Reserve Series Aged In French Oak Chardonnay Barrels from Nebraska Brewing Company Production Brewery & Tap Room
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 417 ratings