Simple Malt Vin D'Orge
Brasseurs Illimités

Simple Malt Vin D'OrgeSimple Malt Vin D'Orge
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From:
Brasseurs Illimités
 
Quebec, Canada
Style:
English Barleywine
ABV:
8.6%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.64 | pDev: 13.46%
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
37
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 24, 2016
Added:
Jan 07, 2010
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  7
No description / notes.
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Rated: 2.25 by -chii- from Canada (QC)

May 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by mademers from Canada (QC)

Mar 03, 2016
Photo of biegaman
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

3.65/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Simple Malt Vin D'Orge is spotted like a leper; its murky, yeast-riddled complexion is extremely unsightly despite the fashionable cherry-amber glow. What makes matters worse is that both head and lace are well beneath the poverty level. Perhaps expected for the style, but unbecoming nonetheless...

My French is not at all what it used to be but what I can gleam from the label is "candied, sweet malt aromas balanced by floral hops", which certainly lines up with what I'm actually smelling. This is a 'means serious business' bouquet showcasing notes of apricot, orange, cranberry, and biscotti.

The taste backs it up with assertive flavours of almond, dried berries, figs, dates, and citrus zest as well as a pinch of candied ginger. Piny, resiny, earthy hops occupy the finish as you'd expect. This is definitely what barleywines are all about, even if it's not the pinnacle of the style.

Barleywines should always have more than just one trump; indeed, this has sticky-sweet caramelly malt but also rank, dank, tropical fruit compost notes from the hops. While arguably "English" (more sherried, dried fruit) in nature, this nonetheless has a fairly commendable no-holds-barred hoppiness.

Like a proper barleywine, Simple Malt Vin D'Orge has many facets. It may not be as complex as the Old World classics (i.e., J.W. Lees, Golden Pride) or impress as much as New World staples (i.e., Bigfoot, Old Foghorn) but it could make a name for itself on the Canadian landscape. I'd say it's worth a purchase - just be sure to enjoy it fresh and keep expectations tempered.
Feb 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.3 by FondueVoodoo from Canada (BC)

Aug 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by groleau from Canada (QC)

Nov 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Franck from Canada (QC)

Oct 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.6 by Mr_Hoptimistic from Canada (ON)

Sep 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Socialiste from Canada (QC)

Jul 27, 2014
Photo of BBThunderbolt
Reviewed by BBThunderbolt from Kiribati

3.46/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to my friend TC for scoring this brew from the wilds of Quebec! Poured into 10oz goblet. Poured a very attractive brownish-amber color with zero head, and low carbonation.

The aroma was dominated by sweet malts, there was a noticeable alcohol scent, and a light fruitiness that I attributed to the yeast. on the tongue the beer was pretty similar; malt forward, a slight yeast aspect, and some alcohol at the back.

The body was very good; full, smooth and even, despite a bit of a hot finish. Drinkability was pretty good, despite the heat on the end. Overall, a pretty nice brew. I recommend having your friend, the pro cycling mechanic, bring you back a bottle.
Jul 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Coronaeus from Canada (ON)

Jun 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by rale from France

Feb 23, 2014
Photo of Haydn-Juby
Reviewed by Haydn-Juby from Vermont

3.43/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served from a 341ml bottle to a snifter

A: Copper in color. Very clear and topped with a finger of good sustaining head. Very tasty looking.

S: A lot of sweet malts and a tad estery or yeasty.

T: Once again malts are dominant. Toast like malts and a little bit of bread crust are made very apparent and caramel and toffee linger in the background. Hops are very subtle and the malts definitely take the forefront of the beer. Alcohol is barely detectable but provides a very slight warming.

M: A tad syrupy but not overly so like some BW's. Very easy drinking and the alcohol really doesn't get in the way. Appropriate carbonation backs the beer.

O: A decent beer but there is better for the money. Nothing too impressive but it was good. Wouldn't recommend to a seasoned drinker but the experience could be good for someone looking to branch out a bit.
Sep 29, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by VbolieuV from Canada (QC)

May 31, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Mack from Canada (QC)

Apr 21, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Krakpoff from Canada (QC)

Apr 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by NightINgale from Russian Federation

Dec 17, 2012
Photo of Lawl3ss
Reviewed by Lawl3ss from Texas

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Lightly chilled 341 ml bottle into a shaker pint. No decipherable date on the bottle.

Look- Clear deep amber with two fingers of beige head that falls relatively quickly. Nice lacing for the ABV,

Smell- Burnt toffee, raisin, bubblegum, and a whiff of booze. Something of a lighter flowery scent with some char and citrus in the background becomes apparent as the head falls and it warms a bit.

Taste- Brown sugar and raisin, with a clean biscuity English malt flush towards the middle. Hints of cherry and darker roast, finishes with a floral/nectar flavor, much lighter and cleaner than anticipated.

Mouthfeel- Exceptional drinkability for the style, mild warming on the back end. Full body leaning towards medium-light for a barleywine, moderate carbonation comes out on the sip, smooth. Bold, but not sticky or syrupy. Very, very nice.

Overall- This one grows on me as I drink, and not just because of the ABV. Exceptional, I don't know how they got this much flavor and distinctive barleywine character into the beer without it being a sludgy mess. The rich Maris Otter/Golden Promise malt is evident- I feel like I'm chewing on the grains and I'm really digging it. I might snag a sixer of these to mule home. Absolutely worth buying. Delicious
Dec 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by KalanM from Canada (BC)

Nov 29, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by Molson2000 from Canada (ON)

Sep 20, 2012
Photo of Jeffo
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands

4.35/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Got this at Peluso in Montreal. Lots of fun at that shop.

From a bottle into a snifter
IBU: 51

APPEARANCE: Pours a small, medium looking, off-white head with good retention. Head fades toa faint wisp and ring. Hazy safety orange in color with lower levels of carbonation. A splotchy wisp remains until the end and leaves some dots of lacing down the glass. Good looking beer for sure.

SMELL: Lots of caramel and toffee with red fruits on the nose. Cantaloupe and red cherries for sure. Some light floral notes come through as well. Nice, and quite bold as well.

TASTE: Caramel and toffee sweetness up front, with lots of nice melon flavors as well. Red fruits and cantaloupe, watermellon and floral hops at the swallow. Bolder and persistent aftertaste of floral bitterness, toffee and butterscotch sweetness, and some nice melon flavors. Big, bold and enjoyable.

PALATE: Medium-full body and slightly lower levels of carbonation. Quite cream on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes somewhat mouth-coating. Good, full feel, and very creamy on the palate.

OVERALL: A very, very nice English style barleywine. Lots of wonderful aromas and flavors, with a big, full, creamy palate to support it all. This brewery has done nothing but impress me, so if you get the chance to try some of their stuff, I highly recommend you do so. Cheers!
Sep 06, 2012
Simple Malt Vin D'Orge from Brasseurs Illimités
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 37 ratings