Islay
Microbrasserie Le Castor

From a 500ml bottle dated 12/21/17. Served in a tulip.

Pours a bubbly caramel-amber-gold with a finger-and-a-half of soft beige head. Retention is on the order of five minutes, leaving a thick, solid fizzy cap.

Smell is reminiscent of a doused-but-still-smouldering peat fire. Strong.

Tastes so overwhelmingly of peat and smoke I wasn't sure at first that I'd be able to go on. But I persevered. There is also some caramel and a lot of salty, briny character, as though the peat fire has been doused with seawater. I'm sorry; I generally like a smoked beer but this is christly intense!

Feel is smooth and medium bodied with vigorous carbonation and a comfortable boozy warmth in the gullet.

Overall, I can't say that I've enjoyed this truly unique beer which, regrettably, I am experiencing as saltwater runoff from extinguishing a coal fire in a steamship's boiler room.

Bottle: Poured a clear amber color ale with a nice large dark white foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of smoked peat malt with light caramelized notes are quite enticing. Taste is a great mix of peats smoked notes with light toffee notes, some caramelized malt and some residual sugar to round off any rough edges from this beer. Brett notes are quite subtle. Body is about average with good carbonation with no apparent alcohol notes. Another incredible beer from a brewery that never seems to stop amazing me.