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Meuse Brewing Company

Pours a hazy deep, dark browned copper, almost like a dark mocha. Two fingers of dense creamy head recede slowly into a centimetre thick white cap. A LOT of fine, fine yeast collects at the bottom of all unfiltered Meuse beers. This is no exception, and the amounts that make it out swirl richly and darkly in the goblet. Make no mistake, this feels as beautiful to watch as a Guinness.

Honest to God, I got a whiff of savoury steak out of the bottle. Less so in the glass, but it was very unique. Malty with strong yeasty esters. Peppery qualities I think are giving this that savoury aroma, it’s like dried and smoked apples, if you’ve ever had that. Doughy on the back end. Like all of Meuse offerings, strange and unique in that Canadian way.

Not as sweet as the nose suggests, but a lacquered quality is there on the finish. Not as straight up yeasty or malty as a Belgian you might expect. Pleasantly complex, a little more even with the bitterness than straight up sweet Belgians. This is acceptable in the style and might be a big boon for those who like Belgian, Trappist, abbey beers but dislike the cloying qualities of some. Peppery spice, black and white peppercorns rather than clove, herbal and earthy hops add a bitter presence, deep flavours of fresh raisins and prunes (yes, prunes. Not plum).

Alcohol presence is low in this medium bodied beer, maybe only a slight warming sensation. Medium carbonation, dry, and bittersweet on the finish mixing a memory of the spices tasted with mild doughy bready flavours and earthy hop bitterness.

Meuse is always unexpected. And it is, wonderfully, always delightfully fresh and local. I am trying to decide on the flavour of this beer and it’s unique bitter qualities. I do love Belgians, arguably the beers I’ve had the most of. Yet I am no expert. Hopefully a few others will try this and add their voices to the consensus on this beer and it’s unique take on the style. For me, I can only rate it according to my tastes, and as always, Meuse impresses me!