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Ch'ti Ambrée
Brasserie Castelain
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Brasserie Castelain
- France
- Style:
- Bière de Garde
- ABV:
- 5.9%
- Score:
- 81
- Avg:
- 3.5 | pDev: 11.71%
- Reviews:
- 23
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 15, 2020
- Added:
- Oct 30, 2003
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 5
SCORE
81
Good
81
Good
Notes:
After brewing and fermentation, CH’TI beers is kept for long weeks in storage tanks. In the calm and cool (0°C) environment, the beer matures, develops a finer taste, perfects its aroma and acquires its natural and characteristic sparkles. It is here also that the beer obtains its balance, finesse and gleam.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Craig-er from New Hampshire
4.04/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Amber brew that kicks up two finger head of foam. Smell is floral. Taste is fruit based. Overall a tasty beer from France. Rare opportunity to taste this at Cafe Longet.
Jan 15, 2020
Reviewed by metter98 from New York
3.54/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.54/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Bottle at Mirabelle, Miami, FL
A: The beer is a little hazy dark amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short light beige head that left lacing on surface and a narrow collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of caramel are present in the nose along with notes of grainy and pale malts.
T: The taste follows the smell and is a little sweet with flavors of caramel and notes of grainy and pale malts.
M: It feels light to medium-bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The caramel malts in this beer lended a bit of sweetness, making this beer unique compared to other beers in the style.
Serving type: bottle
Oct 13, 2019A: The beer is a little hazy dark amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short light beige head that left lacing on surface and a narrow collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of caramel are present in the nose along with notes of grainy and pale malts.
T: The taste follows the smell and is a little sweet with flavors of caramel and notes of grainy and pale malts.
M: It feels light to medium-bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The caramel malts in this beer lended a bit of sweetness, making this beer unique compared to other beers in the style.
Serving type: bottle
Reviewed by flyingpig from Scotland
3.64/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.64/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
330ml bottle from shop in 11th arrondissement, Paris (€2.50):
The beer was a pleasant, reddish amber colour with a foamy head on top that was slightly patchy on the surface after a minute or so. There was a definite sweetness to the beer with some malts on the nose as well before some caramel & marzipan started to come through as well as some toffee further on. The taste was quite similar with a caramel sweetness & plenty of malts. Some biscuit flavours make an appearance & the beer was lightly carbonated with a medium body that was easy to drink without being too exciting. It was a nice offering & one that I enjoyed more than the Blonde version as I recall, although it's been a good few years since I last tried that one.
Feb 01, 2019The beer was a pleasant, reddish amber colour with a foamy head on top that was slightly patchy on the surface after a minute or so. There was a definite sweetness to the beer with some malts on the nose as well before some caramel & marzipan started to come through as well as some toffee further on. The taste was quite similar with a caramel sweetness & plenty of malts. Some biscuit flavours make an appearance & the beer was lightly carbonated with a medium body that was easy to drink without being too exciting. It was a nice offering & one that I enjoyed more than the Blonde version as I recall, although it's been a good few years since I last tried that one.
Reviewed by Skaterdude97 from Canada (ON)
3.06/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.06/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Look - 4 | clear amber, not much head, dissipates quickly, almost no lacing
Smell - 3 | biscuits, toast, malt, orange, nutmeg, clove
Taste - 3 | biscuits, orange, pear, nutmeg, black pepper
Feel - 3 | moderate body, creamy, low carbonation
Overall - 3
Aug 18, 2016Smell - 3 | biscuits, toast, malt, orange, nutmeg, clove
Taste - 3 | biscuits, orange, pear, nutmeg, black pepper
Feel - 3 | moderate body, creamy, low carbonation
Overall - 3
Reviewed by FLima from Brazil
3.02/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.02/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Amber color with a thick off-white head with good retention.
Delicate aroma with notes of pears, white bread and cream.
Flavor with notes of pears, perfumy wood, red apple puree, wheat, distant toasted and glucose. Dry aftertaste with a mild bitterness.
Light body with appropriate carbonation.
For some reason I found the Blonde version slightly better. The glucose again bothers a bit with some apple oxidation. Also with Alsatian accent.
May 17, 2016Delicate aroma with notes of pears, white bread and cream.
Flavor with notes of pears, perfumy wood, red apple puree, wheat, distant toasted and glucose. Dry aftertaste with a mild bitterness.
Light body with appropriate carbonation.
For some reason I found the Blonde version slightly better. The glucose again bothers a bit with some apple oxidation. Also with Alsatian accent.
Reviewed by Bruno74200 from France
3.05/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
3.05/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Not really a belgian pale ale but more of an amber bière de garde. This supermarket ale it's quite cloying. Some caramel malts but a lot on the yeast. Nothing fancy
Nov 09, 2015
Reviewed by Ciocanelu from Romania
3.5/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark amber color, off-white head. Grainy aroma with some yeasty esters. Tastes more like a lager than a belgian ale. Quite bitter in the aftertaste. Easy drinking and enjoyable but nothing special.
Aug 02, 2015
Reviewed by dcmchew from Romania
2.98/5 rDev -14.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
2.98/5 rDev -14.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Definetely a biere de garde. Dark amber with a medium beige head. Smells slightly of coffee, dry wood, toasted malts and dry grains.
Caramel mildly toasted malts, almost close to roasted, not too sweet; coffee notes. Very low fruitiness (some dry apple, apricots, low raisin), the malts are the star of the beer;
There's also a nuttiness; spices not so big, but the yeasts are earthy, rooty; the sweetness is cut short by some bitter hops, pretty rough in the finish, maybe because they're backed by some mild (maybe a bit unpleasant, medicinal) alcoholic phenols;
The fizz goes away as it warms, but the density of the malts doesn't go for sure, it's a malt-heavy example of a French bière de garde;
Still it does have some pretty big off notes, not the best example.
Oct 27, 2013Caramel mildly toasted malts, almost close to roasted, not too sweet; coffee notes. Very low fruitiness (some dry apple, apricots, low raisin), the malts are the star of the beer;
There's also a nuttiness; spices not so big, but the yeasts are earthy, rooty; the sweetness is cut short by some bitter hops, pretty rough in the finish, maybe because they're backed by some mild (maybe a bit unpleasant, medicinal) alcoholic phenols;
The fizz goes away as it warms, but the density of the malts doesn't go for sure, it's a malt-heavy example of a French bière de garde;
Still it does have some pretty big off notes, not the best example.
Reviewed by matthiasbrau from New York
3.85/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.85/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sampled on draft at the Blind Tiger, NYC, 7/16/2012.
Malty up front but not sweet; slightly bitter finish. Smooth, with medium mouthfeel. Similar to Unibroue Seignuriale, but not as boozy.
Not a BPA, in my opinion, as it lacks the spicy notes I look for in that style.
Quite rare; I've never seen this in bottles anywhere, so on tap at the BT was a real coup.
Overall, a terrific biere de garde, if that's your thing (and it certainly is mine). Hope to see this more often.
Jul 20, 2012Malty up front but not sweet; slightly bitter finish. Smooth, with medium mouthfeel. Similar to Unibroue Seignuriale, but not as boozy.
Not a BPA, in my opinion, as it lacks the spicy notes I look for in that style.
Quite rare; I've never seen this in bottles anywhere, so on tap at the BT was a real coup.
Overall, a terrific biere de garde, if that's your thing (and it certainly is mine). Hope to see this more often.
Reviewed by soulgrowl from England
2.91/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
2.91/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Darkish maroon with a full, ivory colored head, crackly and spotty. Lots of peanuts, tobacco, caramel malt, and weak coffee in the aroma. It smells like a bar, and not really in a good way. Pleasant on the palate but a bit too sweet and oddly tinged with a cigarette-ish or leathery earthy flavor. Light carbonation cuts through the malts and highlights the peppery hops nicely, but overall this beer is a bit shoddy.
Apr 07, 2010
Reviewed by BoitSansSoif from France
4.1/5 rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.1/5 rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A-Pours a clear amber-golden color w/frothy head and decent retention.
S-Toasty malt aroma w/fruit esters-primarily red apple, light spice and nuttiness,
T-Clean toasty malt flavor w/complex blend of character in the midpalate and finish. Midway the fruit emerges w/a bit of caramel malty sweetness that is washed away by a nice touch of hops in the finish that cleanse and dry. The aftertaste is toasty w/a bit of nuts, and a dry sensation in the back of the mouth.
M-Lighter-medium body, crisp and well-balanced.
D-Really hits the spot. A well-made beer that is refreshing and interesting. Flavors are light, subtle, and well-balanced.
Aug 29, 2009S-Toasty malt aroma w/fruit esters-primarily red apple, light spice and nuttiness,
T-Clean toasty malt flavor w/complex blend of character in the midpalate and finish. Midway the fruit emerges w/a bit of caramel malty sweetness that is washed away by a nice touch of hops in the finish that cleanse and dry. The aftertaste is toasty w/a bit of nuts, and a dry sensation in the back of the mouth.
M-Lighter-medium body, crisp and well-balanced.
D-Really hits the spot. A well-made beer that is refreshing and interesting. Flavors are light, subtle, and well-balanced.
Reviewed by brc from Michigan
3.92/5 rDev +12%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.92/5 rDev +12%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 25cl bottle. Almost no head, though the little that there is leaves some lacing.
Color is dark amber, on the dark side for biere de garde, approaching red. Quite clear.
Aroma of toasted grain and caramel, very light.
There's a good bit of complexity in the malt character. Notes of molasses or gingerbread, walnuts. toasted bread. The hop character is not noticeable at first, but leaves a light lingering bitterness in the finish.
Though the carbonation is too light, the mouthfeel is still good. There is decent body, a touch past medium, and a bit of warming in the end.
Some more carbonation could help the appearance and overall drinkability, as it is approaching flat beer. Surprisingly good, considering.
Feb 27, 2009Color is dark amber, on the dark side for biere de garde, approaching red. Quite clear.
Aroma of toasted grain and caramel, very light.
There's a good bit of complexity in the malt character. Notes of molasses or gingerbread, walnuts. toasted bread. The hop character is not noticeable at first, but leaves a light lingering bitterness in the finish.
Though the carbonation is too light, the mouthfeel is still good. There is decent body, a touch past medium, and a bit of warming in the end.
Some more carbonation could help the appearance and overall drinkability, as it is approaching flat beer. Surprisingly good, considering.
Reviewed by mpyle from Maryland
3.85/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
3.85/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
App - slightly cloudy, rich ambert color. Moussy, off-white head, moderate in size but with very good retention
Aroma - malty! Slight plum, candy-like caramel sweetness. No hop, and overall very clean
Flav - malty with a toasty, caramel flavor. Sweet, but a bit mineral-like. Remains quite sweet through the finish - no hop bite, no real drying in the finish.
MF - med-full body, moderate carbonation, and a slight hint of alcohol warming. No MF elements are harsh, and they all work to give it the rounded feel of a bigger beer.
o'all - very flavorful, yet rounded. Very slightly too sweet for my taste, but a nice, malt-focused beer.
Dec 28, 2007Aroma - malty! Slight plum, candy-like caramel sweetness. No hop, and overall very clean
Flav - malty with a toasty, caramel flavor. Sweet, but a bit mineral-like. Remains quite sweet through the finish - no hop bite, no real drying in the finish.
MF - med-full body, moderate carbonation, and a slight hint of alcohol warming. No MF elements are harsh, and they all work to give it the rounded feel of a bigger beer.
o'all - very flavorful, yet rounded. Very slightly too sweet for my taste, but a nice, malt-focused beer.
Reviewed by thierrynantes from France
3.5/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Beer bottle (33cl), tasted in 2000.
Appearance: copper colour, creamy foam
Smell: slight caramel
Taste and mouthfeel: mellow
Drinkability: a good beer (style = bière de garde) in french from the brewery Castelain
Review added 11-18-2007, translated from french 2-12-2008.
Nov 18, 2007Appearance: copper colour, creamy foam
Smell: slight caramel
Taste and mouthfeel: mellow
Drinkability: a good beer (style = bière de garde) in french from the brewery Castelain
Review added 11-18-2007, translated from french 2-12-2008.
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas
3.6/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
750 ml bottle pours peach/amber with a 3 fingers deep offwhite head. No lacing or head retenton
S: Sweet malt & apple skin, big-time fruittyness
T: Bready with apple skin (yeast) notes up front. Caramel & candy sugar follows as it warms. Then some dryness, apricots, brown sugar & more appleskins in the finish
MF: Low carbonation & medium bodied, slight acidity from the apple skin notes
Drinks okay the oversweetness & apple skin kind of make this a one & done session-wise, but having been in France a few times this would be a pretty good one to session on there, a back handed compliment to be sure. This is NOT a Belgian Pale
Dec 23, 2006S: Sweet malt & apple skin, big-time fruittyness
T: Bready with apple skin (yeast) notes up front. Caramel & candy sugar follows as it warms. Then some dryness, apricots, brown sugar & more appleskins in the finish
MF: Low carbonation & medium bodied, slight acidity from the apple skin notes
Drinks okay the oversweetness & apple skin kind of make this a one & done session-wise, but having been in France a few times this would be a pretty good one to session on there, a back handed compliment to be sure. This is NOT a Belgian Pale
Reviewed by denjen from Illinois
3.23/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.23/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Dennis: Our first CH'TI beer....go ahead try to say it out loud without laughing a bit...and not to bad. Excessively carbonated (much like Unibroue does with their beers) with an aroma that is doughy/yeasty and slightly sweet with dark fruits. The taste is similar, with the carbonation not really taking away from the beer, you'll get some sort of funky sweetness and a long malt follow through. For the price we paid, it's a steal even at a paltry 5.9%.
Jen: I don't find this beer to be very enticing. It has a malty smell to it with slight hoppiness to it. The flavor is along the same lines: sweet malts with a mild hop finish. It also has some kind of weird fruit taste that I can't quite put my finger on. It also seems to have a bit of sourness to it. Also, lots of bubbles, too much bubbles. This is something that I am glad we got on clearance, but I am always up for something different.
Jul 02, 2006Jen: I don't find this beer to be very enticing. It has a malty smell to it with slight hoppiness to it. The flavor is along the same lines: sweet malts with a mild hop finish. It also has some kind of weird fruit taste that I can't quite put my finger on. It also seems to have a bit of sourness to it. Also, lots of bubbles, too much bubbles. This is something that I am glad we got on clearance, but I am always up for something different.
Ch'ti Ambrée from Brasserie Castelain
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
47 ratings
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