Calumet
Brasserie Bièropholie

CalumetCalumet
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From:
Brasserie Bièropholie
 
Quebec, Canada
Style:
Smoked Beer
ABV:
6.4%
Score:
89
Avg:
4.02 | pDev: 12.94%
Reviews:
35
Ratings:
35
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 09, 2009
Added:
Jun 12, 2003
Wants:
  9
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
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Ratings by IronDjinn:
Photo of IronDjinn
Reviewed by IronDjinn from Canada (AB)

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 341 ml brown bottle, the 2004 edition of this smoked double porter. A very pitch black oil slick of a body, it's damn nigh impermeable to light. A thin dark tan head on the pour, it recedes to a thick ring. Regarding the aroma, schoolteacher is bang on, the stuff initially made my eyes water. Chunky roasted malt can be discerned beyond that cloud of 2 packs a day fog, along with some sweet notes as well. Even without the smoke this would be a heavenly porter, rich roasted malt, sweet molasses, some licorice, espresso on the finish, but the ever-present taste of wood-smoke. I love camping, and this is like getting to drink that beautiful campfire that kept you warm and toasty while you relaxed in the great outdoors and took in the crisp night air and the wonderful smell of the burning wood. The mouthfeel is a bit oily, but full and satisfying.

I must admit, I have fully enjoyed everything that I've tried from Bieropholie so far, and this porter just seals the deal even more. They are definitely my favorite microbrewery out of Quebec, and top ranking for all of Canada as well. Give me a Bieropholie over a Unibroue any day, more diverse styles and consistent high quality. A big salute to 3Vandoo for his good taste in providing me with a sample of this wonderful porter, I'm itching for more.
Nov 26, 2004
More User Ratings:
Photo of MasterSki
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big thanks to papat444 for hooking me up with this one - figured I better review it before the Bièropholie listing gets closed. 2004 vintage served in my trusty Surly pint glass.

A - Big three fingers of dark tan/light mocha foam with excellent retention that dissipates to a thick cap. There is some patchy lacing left behind upon sipping. The brew is deep opaque black with only the slightest hint of brown at the bottom of the glass.

S - Smoke, campfire, hickory, peat - it gets even smokier as it warms up. Initially there is a dark fruit and milk chocolate malt presence, but it recedes from the forefront.

T - The taste is more balanced between sweet chocolate malts, roastiness, and smokiness. The "bite" of the smoke sort of attacks mid-palate, but doesn't linger too long into the aftertaste, which is a positive thing. The combination of flavors suggests a smoky coffehouse, even though I'm pretty sure there's no coffee in here. Reminds me a little of Schlenkerla Fastenbier in that the smoke doesn't overpower the brew. Still - the intensity is pretty impressive considering it's 5 years old. Probably should get a 4.25, but it's not 4.5 good...

M - Active but unobtrusive carbonation, light-medium body that goes down pretty easily. Some residual stickiness in the finish.

D - This is actually one of the most drinkable smoke beers I've ever had, although I'm still not convinced I'd have more than one (got a Calumet Grand Chef chilling in the fridge for a later date). Moderate carbonation, lower ABV, fairly clean aftertaste - all good things here.

Well - I'm glad this held up OK, especially considering it was a twist-off and it was released in '04.
Sep 09, 2009
Photo of mrmanning
Reviewed by mrmanning from Canada (ON)

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle courtesy of Turg, thanks Francois! Dark brown, almost opaque liquid is sitting under a thin halo of mocha foam. Roasty aromas at the forefront, with chocolate smokeyness coming in second place. Very much roasted malt in the flavour profile, chocolate, and sweet malts. Not too smokey as far as flavour is concerned. Perhaps too fizzy in the mouth, but a solid brew. Thanks Turg!
Aug 05, 2009
Photo of tpd975
Reviewed by tpd975 from Florida

4.12/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Huge thanks to grub for this one. It's a style I am really starting to dig.

Popped this one open as I had a couple racks of ribs on the smoker. Mmmm smoke in the air while enjoying smoked beer.

A: Pours a nice rich deep dark brown hue with a nice beige head. Pretty good retention with a smattering of lace.

S: Ahh rich smokey aromas, had to take this one inside away from the smoke to really enjoy the aroma. Lots of smoke, we are talking camp fire here. Hints of ash, peat, and toasted malt.

T: Wonderful level of smoke without being overthetop. Rich meaty smoke with strong peaty notes. Hints of chocolate hide beneath along with some french roasted coffee.

M: Medium in body, smooth with nice carbonation.

D: Good. A damn fine beer I must say.
Jul 05, 2009
Photo of hellbilly
Reviewed by hellbilly from Arizona

3.82/5  rDev -5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
received in trade with glouglouburp...

typical porter color... burgundy brown with a medium sized tan head and light lace trails.

very metallic aroma... nickels, chocolate, caramel sweetness and mild smoke. it's not so heavily smokey that nothing else can come through... unfortunately, there's not a whole lot going on.

the flavor is definitely more smokey than the aroma lead me to believe... chocolate, coffee, caramel (without the sweetness), earth and meat lurk under a cloak of sour and nearly salty smoke. ashy aftertaste joins up with astringent roast. medium body. soft carbonation gives it a surprisingly smooth mouth feel given the acidity.
7/3/7/4/17/3.8
Dec 07, 2008
Photo of joe1510
Reviewed by joe1510 from Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12oz Bottle

I got this Canadian released smoked porter in a trade awhile back with northyorksammy, Thanks Sammy! Calumet pours like black coffee but, surprisingly, has a glowing ruby body when backlit. I can't see through this beer at all when sitting on the table but when held to the light the clarity is very good. Barely tipping the glass to pour produces a monstrous three finger beige head that takes its sweet time falling to a craggy thick cap. Chunky lacing is left strewn all over the glass.

The lively head and each additional swirl brings the smoke to the forefront but after some sitting the smoke falls back in line with the rest of the porter. The smoke that is there is slightly campfire like while a semi sweet underripe spicy blackberry brings itself along. Roasty malts mingle with the smoke adding some more depth; black coffee comes along ass well. Maybe I'm wrong but I can swear there's lactose in this beer; there's a mildly sweet note in the back.

Wow! This is an impressive smoked porter. The smoke is under control and, instead of being in your face, balances out this porter beautifully. The roasty malts get things going before the spicy berry subtly joins in the soiree. That mild campfire smokiness comes across mid palate and is joined by the lactose sweetness. I swear there's lactose in this beer. Both black coffee and chocolate come in waves, rising and falling here and there. All the flavors in this beer are so seamlessly brought together it's a complete joy to drink.

The body of this beer is about as close to perfect as you can get. The carbonation is mellow and gives the moderate body a slow moving velvety feel. There's no stick to this beer and it actually finishes a little on the dry side for the style.

Most smoked beers are one and done for me. I'd be happy to drink a couple of these in a sitting with the more subtle smokiness. This really is an easy drinking smoked beer.

Calumet was on my "wants" list for a long time and I'm glad I got the chance to try it. I'm not too happy about only being able to get it from Canada though. I see through other reviews that this beer holds up well, unfortunately my bottle isn't dated. I'd love to get a few more of these in the future. Thanks again for this gem Sammy!
Nov 30, 2008
Photo of hopdog
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

4.27/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle acquire in trade with tiggmtl (thanks!).

Poured a dark black with a large (4.5 finger) off white head that quickly dissipated. Aromas of chocolate, smoke, and roasted malts. Tastes of smoke, light chocolate, and dark fruits. Nice smoky quality to it. The body was a little on the thin side for me.

Notes from 6/11/05
Nov 10, 2008
Photo of papat444
Reviewed by papat444 from Canada (QC)

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This version is unfiltered, released in April 2008. The small cousin of the Grand Chef.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle.

Appearance: Nice black body with a thick 2-3 finger head.

Smell: Thick aroma of smoke with some caramel & malt and a hint of dark chocolate.

Taste: Smooth with apprarent smokiness. A nice balance between malty & a more robust character.

Mouthfeel: The high point of this beer for me. Malt-like character makes for a creamy mouthfeel. Not too heavy, actually a little on the light side. Has a bit of a dry, nut-like quality. Hints of roasted malt lingers with a hickory aftertaste. Well balanced.

Drinkability: Drinks very well, taste is pleasant & alcohol content makes it a nice sipper.

Overall: A well crafted smoked porter. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes smoked beer or porters.
Jun 08, 2008
Photo of LeTonneau
Reviewed by LeTonneau from Canada (QC)

4.2/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
They say this beer is brewed by Dieu du Ciel... I'm not sure about that... Mine was from Bierophile.

Tasted this beer twice: once on tap at Le Loup Rouge in Sorel and yesterday in a bottle.

When I tasted it at Le Loup, it was almost like a syrup. If you'd spilled a drop, you'd notice how sticky it gets. So it was ruined by all that sugary taste and although there was some interesting aspects, I did not really enjoyed it. So when I saw a bottle, I've decided to give it another try....

Very different brew indeed...It pours a very dark liquid with a creamy neck and the dominating smells are of smoke and roasting. Very pleasent. Tastewise, gone is all that sweetness that I observed with the tap and although it still has hints of sweetness, it's no where near that syrup I tasted; good point on that. Chocolate, coffee and roasted cereals are present along that smoky flavor. Carbonation is present all along and the neck is still present at the bottom of the glass.

Really complex flavours and quite easy to drink so it's a success if you ask me.
May 07, 2008
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

3.15/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2005 vintage with a little age on it.

A: Black with a tan head, very little retention, some lacing.

S: Slightly spicy smokyness, roasted grain, coffee, molases, hint of alcohol.

T: Coffee, smoke, chocolate, spice, molases, slight grainy astringency and a hint of oxidation (it is a couple years old). Pleasant roasted bitterness, slight alcohol warmth.

M: Moderate body, less than moderate carbonation, some roasted acidity.

D: It's certainly drinkable, but I think it'd be better fresh.
Sep 05, 2007
Photo of Phatz
Reviewed by Phatz from Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This is a smoky smoked beer and I like it. HUGE thanks to jasonm for the opportunity to try this beer. Your thoughtfulness is unmatched my friend.

Allowed to warm first.
Vintage 2005

Appearance: This beer looks excellent in my new scientifically engineered SA Boston Lager glass thanks to the Bros. and Jim. It pours a dark charred brown with a think chocolaty brown head that fades slowly to a frothy cap that lasts the duration of the beer.

Smell: smoky Rauchbier like aroma but not too overboard though. The smoke it just right. Smoked malt and caramel, some dark chocolate and coffee and a pleasant malty sweetness.

Taste: The flavor follows the nose. Roasty and delicious. Dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, caramel, molasses, dark fruits, a touch of wood and a dry espresso in the finish with more chocolate, lightly smoked, in the aftertaste and a hint of smoked bacon as well. It is a glorious masterpiece.

Mouthfeel: Perfectly smooth and creamy with a full and soft feel. Truly magnificent.

Drinkability: This is spectacular. I could certainly drink a ton of this. I am partial to a roasty porter and in this case the smoke flavor is an extra plus to a great beer from top to bottom. I owe Jason a huge thanks for this gem.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!
Jul 18, 2007
Photo of dherling
Reviewed by dherling from New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
The 2006 vintage, bought on mmy Montreal trip in January.

Poured out a dark mahogony brown with a thick sticky head that laced on top of lace. The nose was smokey, hickory, malt, bbq, bacon, mollasses, coffee, ember smoke, Has a big malty flavor that turns smokey, then goes dry, then the taste is like sucking on charcoal. Has a highly carbonated mouthfeel, and is somewhat cloying and syrupy, but not overly so. An interesting and unique beer, but not what I would call drinkable. One and done, but a nice change.
Jun 25, 2007
Photo of CharlesDarwin
Reviewed by CharlesDarwin from Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Originally reviewed on November 28, 2006. A gentle hickory smoke rises from the glass, with some surprising fruit yeast notes, soon assauged by a deep alder fire, rising from a snowy pit. Deep dark pour, with orange fringes and a clean soap of coffee and cream. Flavor is a plain amber malt, brandy, and plenty of fresh maple syrup, combined with toasted pancake batter. Dark fruits creep in from the edges of the evening and more aged, settle yeast esters arise. Nice body, sweet, yet dry. Finishes with a bit more fire and an edge of roast, amongst juniper smoke. Just not enough complexity to make this intriguing, clean and well done, but not amazing.
Dec 20, 2006
Photo of Orrshow
Reviewed by Orrshow from Canada (AB)

3.82/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Received from Goldorak in a recent trade. Thanks again Martin!

Appearance – Black as can be with over an inch or dark tan head. The head dissipates to a cap over time.

Smell – Roasted barley, TONS of smoke, coffee and a little chocolate are present. It’s very nice.

Taste – Before this one touches your mouth you can already taste the extreme smokiness it possesses. Once you’re past that there is roasted malt, barley, chocolate, and espresso. I taste a touch of sourness and some currants or something to that effect towards the end.

Mouthfeel – Fairly creamy and smooth. The carbonation is also barely noticeable which I like.

Drinkability – Not bad. It goes down O.K but there are some imbalances which take away from this.

I though my smoke detector was going to go off while drinking this! Tone that flavor down and this would be an excellent beer.
Nov 17, 2006
Photo of froggyfrog
Reviewed by froggyfrog from Pennsylvania

2.02/5  rDev -49.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
2004 edition 12 oz. bottle served in an American pint glass in early 2006.

Pours black as night but leaves a clear membrane like liquid hand soap on the glass.

Smells oily and wooden.

The taste is quite bizarre. It tastes as if I was licking the wooden drones on my grandfather's Scottish Highland Pipes. Yes, it's like cleaning a well oiled dark wooden instrument or piece of furniture with your tongue. How hauntingly horrible. This smell/taste brings to mind pleasant memories but it is really not working for me in a beer.

To be fair, this is my first jaunt into the realm of smoked beers, so this may not be the most objective review, but it is certainly my take on this beer.

It is actually starting to grow on me a little bit as we enter the bottom half of the glass. I can now recognize that wood oil taste as peat. I'm not really able to pull much else out in the way of flavors. The smoked peat is very overpowering.

As far as mouthfeel, again I'm going to go with oily. It is fairly slick and full with a mild burn in the finish.

Drinkable? Not so much. Maybe I'll revisit this once I've had some more experience with the style. But for now, I'll pass.
Jan 06, 2006
Photo of apintofknowledge
Reviewed by apintofknowledge from Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Brought a bottle home from a recent trip to Montreal... one of the better picks of the bunch. Pours a deep, dark and thick with a thin off-white head. A delicious roasted, smokey aroma comes from my glass, with a hint of butter. Mouthfeel is thick, oily, creamy and highly carbonated... maybe a little over-carbonated.

Now for the taste... there's an initial sweetness with flavors of caramel and burnt sugar, followed by a heart of dark roast coffee and unsweetened chocolate. The finish is earthy, woody and smokey. The smokeyness permeates throughout all flavors, but doesn't dominate. Very complex, enjoyable and very drinkable. A great style that there should just be more renditions of out there. Overall, I've had slightly better renditions of this style, but still a very worthy effort.
Nov 11, 2005
Photo of elricorico
Reviewed by elricorico from Canada (AB)

3.74/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours out very dark brown that looks almost black in the glass. There is a thin cap of foamy tan head on top. The head fades to a ring after a couple of minutes.

The smell is full of malty porter goodness. Lots of roasted coffee and sweet molasses. Theres something else deep in there that I keep trying to identify. Peat or vanilla are a couple of the ideas, but neither seems to be quite right.

The taste is mildly sweet up front followed up by a coffee like flavour. Upon swallowing you get the first hit of smoke, but it really doesn't hit full blasut until you breathe out. Then, for the next couple of breaths the smokey flavour fills your nose and mouth. It is an interesting sensation. Without that smoke taste, I would say that it is a little light on flavour, but it may be that the smoke just overpowers.

Mouthfeel is smooth with a touch of body to it. The carbonation is light and suitable to the style. Nothing amazing here, but solid.

This is a beer that I wouldn't have too often. It certainly isn't bad, but I find it a bit too heavy on the smoke.
Nov 02, 2005
Photo of crwills
Reviewed by crwills from Canada (ON)

4.29/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I'm relatively new to smoked beer, but if Bieropholie's Calumet is a good representation, I'll definitely be picking up more. After a Unibroue Raftman earlier this weekend (which wasn't smokey at all, despite its label on this site), this is a pleasant surprise.

Poured from a standard bottle (I still have 4 more! Woohoo!) into a pint glass. Pleasant black-coffee colour with a small, dirty white head that leaves some residue as it fades (seems to be a good sign for my tastes).

Smell is awesome -- the smoked pork hits you first, followed by hints of raw sugar, honey, apples or pears, and black licorice.

First few sips have an element of 'burnt'-ness to them, but once you get used to it, it's quite pleasant. There's almost a saltiness to it, with some background flavours of coffee, chocolate, and strong malts. Mouthfeel is nice and thick and coating.

Aftertaste is longlasting and quite bitter, with the coffee flavours evolving into strong espresso.

Definitely glad I have a six-pack of this, and I will likely pick up more the next time I'm in PQ.
Oct 31, 2005
Photo of DrJay
Reviewed by DrJay from Texas

3.41/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Black and nearly opaque, the thin, dark tan head left a bit of lace on the glass. Smoke all over in the aroma, a little less so in the flavour which allowed for a nice balance. Behind the smoke there was some chocolatey malt smell and an odd sweetness. Moderate bitterness that seemed to be coming from both the hops and dark grains. Plenty of malt sweetness as well, a little acidic with a bit of coffee and roasted in the finish. Smokiness became more prominent at the end. Slightly slick mouthfeel and a bit oily. I liked the flavour a lot better than the aroma, which I found a little one-dimensional with so much smoke. Still, not a bad smoked beer at all.
Aug 29, 2005
Photo of Viggo
Reviewed by Viggo from Canada (ON)

3.36/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Pours a dark brown/black, small tan head, little bit of lacing. Smell is really smokey, beef jerkey, some chocolate, sweet maltiness. Taste is sweet and hoppy up front, smokey middle, and a coffee/chocolate finish. Mouthfeel is medium, carbonation is medium, ends up pretty dry. Smoked beers aren't really my style but this one tasted better than it smelled. Thanks DrJay.
Aug 19, 2005
Calumet from Brasserie Bièropholie
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 35 ratings