Big Chouffe - Anno 2023
Brasserie d'Achouffe

 

 

 

For my 2300th beer I found something a bit special. First up is the absolute thumper of a 1.5litre magnum bottle!! This might be the first such bottle I've had.
L- Gaaawd! You know the footage you sometimes see of the flames in an out of control solvent fire. How they seemingly swirl wildly raging like a living thing? The rising CO2 here resembles that, rising up and swilring/shooting in all directions, a rare sight! The 3cm pale cream foam lid grows upwards as a result; be warned if aiming to pour a full glass. The beer itself is pale amber and with a slight haze to it.
S- Bright, with light aromatic Belgian yeast notes
T- That^ Belgian yeast on the front, with mildly fruity ester notes. Right in the tail is a flourish of mild dry hops and the lightest of hints that the ABV% is showing itself. Lovely balance.
F- It's very smooth indeed and the body is not over-bearing in any way. It comes over to be as less than 8%. That's very skilled brewing to under-state such an ABV on the palate.
O- Wow, this is one hellll of a brew. It's so smooth, balanced and under-stated. The Smell^ seemed relatively low key, but it's winter and that cld just be my nose. IDK yet but my ratings will surely put this into my top-10% of reviews written to date.

Bought from Bacchanalia, Mill Road, Cambridge £18.79
'Best before end: See bottle' -> I cannot find a date on the bottle, but the beer is clearly fresh.