Harvest Ale
Microbrasserie La Chouape

 

 

Fresh hop harvest ale, don't see too many of these around so I had to pick it up. Not dated unfortunately (which begs the question "fresh as of when exactly?") but was a new release at Peluso as of this week and I just picked it up this afternoon. Brewed the day of the harvest, whenever that might have been. Dark amber body with light pink highlights. Good cover of dense cream-white head (almost looks like a cream ale) with some lacing. Retention could be better.

Grassy hops, some tropical fruit (lychee, light pineapple), light pine, wheat, caramel. This is a hop character I've never encountered. A bit herbal, lightly soapy, very interesting. I was hoping for a bigger nose on a fresh hop ale, the smell is good though.

As with most Quebec brews which should be featuring the hops, this one is overly-malted (though the hops are quite unique as found with the nose). Lots of toasty malt, bready and wheaty, covering most of the hops. Nice clean malt flavour, I just wish they let the hops shine more if the idea is to make a fresh hop ale. The hops have a quality I cant put my finger on: something in the background reminiscent of Thrills gum, grass, tropical hints. A touch of alcohol.

Nice medium-full body with moderate carbonation. Suits it well.

I would give a better rating if it wasn't advertised as fresh hop; not the greatest feature for the hops. Ignoring that however, I actually quite like it as an ale overall. Fairly well-balanced, unique and interesting. I won't be buying this again at this price but it was good.