Cousine Argousine
Microbrasserie Du Lac-Saint-Jean

Draft: Poured a slightly hazy yellow color ale with a medium size white foamy head with light retention and some lacing. Aroma of tart notes with some buckthorn notes. Taste is also a mix of buckthorn notes with some tart notes and very subtle acidic notes. Body is about average for style with good carbonation. Interesting buckthorn sour with good balance.

 

With Cousine Argousine, Microbrasserie du Lac Saint-Jean offers another unique and superbe beer. It appears to be made out of a rather standard sour mash augmented with Hippophae, or sea-buckthorns (probably macerated), with extremely few hops. The smell is slightly fruity and announces acidity and, above all, sea-buckthorns aromas. These carry on greatly in mouth towards fascinating kiwi and strawberry, and slight lemon flavours, with average sourness. Basically no residual sugar is perceptible and the feel is crisp and moderately acidic. As it runs down the throat, the sourness is paradoxically accompanied by a subtle, smooth, and almost floral honey-like feel. It ends nicely and rather quickly through a balance between citrus acidity and, of course, see-buckthorn. Along with Tante Tricotante Chardonnay (barrel aged triple) and numerous other creative and unique beers, Cousine Argousine is worth driving-up north to Saint-Gédéon (Québec) village to eat blueberries, ride your bike and admire the great Lac Saint-Jean, all this of course after a stop at Trou du Diable (Shawinigan, QC.) or HopEra (Jonquière, QC.). Cheers!