Exaltée
Brasserie Trois Dames

a cool tart saison with more hops in it than i have gotten used to from these guys, more of a new school thing to me this time, still funky and wild and vinous, but more of a clean, straight ahead bacterial pucker to it, same in nose as in taste, and with a cool citrusy thing, meyer lemons and subtle grapefruit, i would think derived from a dry hopping, but i am not sure how this one is made. the grain base seems simple too, a bit of white wheat and some pale pils type barley, lighter bodied, well carbonated, and just off dry by the end of it. there really isnt any bitterness to this, but a definite lemon zestiness on top of the bacterial sourness, pretty intense at it apex, but it ramps up and back down pretty nicely, and isnt overly acidic. maybe a touch more tart than i want it to be, as this seems to be more of a drinker than a lot of their others, but the flavor is fantastic overall, and its hard to be even a little bit critical of beer this well made. i have had the privilege of enjoying a number of trois dames beers recently, and i have gained even more respect and admiration for them in the process, these are special beers, all of them, and absolutely warrant the high prices they command. ill never walk past another one...

Clear amber but just a swirl of foam in the Kasteel chalice. The aroma is tart with something woodsy. Near flat on the tongue. There is a touch of malty sweetness and a bit of fruit to start. Then the tart and tangy note takes over, closely followed by a tongue-deadening astringency. Very bitter and woody. Not quite like chokecherry, not as puckery as unripe persimmon, but sour and harsh. From the 330 ml bottle. This is the same 2018 vintage as others reviewed and the years have not been kind.

 

Back Label:
11.2 fl oz.
5.2% abv.
Biere de Coupage.
Bottled 1.2018
Best by 1.2023
Moderate pour yields a greater than one inch white head over a slightly hazy, light golden yellow body with some sticky lacing. Nose of funk, a bit of citrus, grass, hay, and slight hops. Taste mirrors nose pretty closely with lemons, sweet lemons, and grapefruit flavors coming together very nicely. Finish of funky citrus dryness, but not too dry at all. Very nice! Overall, another real pleasant surprise from BTD in Switzerland.
Cheers!