What beer are you drinking now? #4463

Good morning,
important beer, important review.
Although... the description of all the taste notes that this beer has transmitted to me I think is not reproducible with words.
First a small introduction, then the personal impressions:

Brasserie Cantillon - ASHANTI - Lambic with "Gorilla" black pepper (5.5%).

This is a reinterpretation of the "ZWANZE 2022" (drunk on tap at "Ma che siete Venuti a Fa?", Rome), that is a blend of Lambic aged 2 years with Gorilla black pepper ("Piovre Noir des Gorilles"). In particular, in ASHANTI 20% more Lambic is added in the Gorilla black pepper/Lambic ratio.
In collaboration with the African spice shop "Misao: La Maison des Piovres" in Brussels.
The "Gorilla Pepper" is a wild pepper typical of the dense Guineensi forests, in particular the Likouala forest, located in the north-eastern region of the Republic of Congo.
It grows on trees that can exceed 20 meters in height and is still collected (also) by the ancestral tribe of the "Bakkas", a people of pygmy hunters.
Furthermore, the Likouala forest is populated by rare lowland gorillas and part of the proceeds from Ashanti will be paid to a French association that deals with the protection of these specimens at risk of extinction.
The main characteristics of the Gorilla Pepper are: an exceptionally persistent taste, very fragrant, moderate spiciness, fruity, mentholated and fresh citrus notes.
Widely used in cooking for the preparation of sauces and with grilled meat (especially chicken), it's also excellent for flavoring and giving a different spiciness to olive oil.

75 cl bottle (paid a LOT at the beershop, as if it were a single piece practically).
On the label: "Best before 20 years from bottling date. - Bottling date: June 19, 2024".
Previously drunk for the first time at the EurHop 2024 Festival in October, it impressed me with its taste and balance.

"Aged" yellow color, amber with light orange reflections.
Minimal foam.
VERY intense aroma of pepper (I would have said green for the spicy and herbaceous reflections that it reminds me of) and mold/bretta.

Smooth and flat body that flows light and mineral, like a Lambic.
On this light body a (very) intense aromatic range is released that, anticipated by that incredibly persistent scent (room scent, spectacular... you should have one open to smell it every day), ranges from spicy notes and kitchen herbs, with this peppery scent (this time yes, I recognize the black pepper) that has herbaceous nuances with an almost earthy hint (rhubarb), interrupted by a delicate acidity typical of a Lambic, but with a remarkably fine intensity of astringency, followed by a tasty, but delicate, spicy note of black pepper.
A truly broad and dominant olfactory and gustatory range.
Practically impossible to define completely with the taste references that each of us has pigeonholed in our brain.
I perceive mint, herbaceous notes with earthy reflections, rhubarb, turmeric... in part curry came to mind.
Elegant and refined acid note, not like in all the latest Cantillons I have drunk.
Compared to the one I drank in keg at the EurHop Festival 2024 (I went on 18 and 19 October 2024), this one in bottle seems to have a completely different intensity both aromatic and olfactory... definitely everything increased. Perhaps, that one gave me the idea of being a more balanced product than this one.
A consideration that I feel like making is that I probably consumed it TOO YOUNG to be considered in its "Best Condition" given that the main spice completely overwhelms this Lambic, at least until the acid note that tries to cleanse the palate and tongue a bit.
Flavors and aromas of other lands and other traditions, delicate spicy, but clearly noticeable, reflection of resin... New reflections emerge with every sip swallowed.
Particular to say the least, very balanced and that really made me squint, even though a whole bottle alone is undoubtedly demanding to consume entirely.
And I say that because I did it.
I hope you can taste it and share it, because there is no doubt that it is a masterpiece.
Regardless of personal taste.





I wanted to point out that under the heading "SMELL" I gave my first (and only) rating of 5 in the database, as the scent of this product is intense, inebriating and particularly pleasant... You would need a bottle that is always open just to enjoy the scent that it gives off every day. It would be good for your mood.

Sláinte .
Cheers .

 

Good day BAs! Thanks @AzfromOz for opening the bar! And @Jack_14 - excellent review!

No New Breakfast Beer for me today - temporarily out. Instead, having one of my home brewed cherry porters:

image post

The cherries are beginning to fade, but otherwise it's still decent.

 

Lovely start to a Wednesday (thought yesterday was Monday, which is atypical even in retirement). Love to hear a bit more down the road about your homebrewed offerings including the cherry porter @Ozzylizard , poured today as often in your Jester King snifter.

Somewhat surprised with the lack of barrel but strong additive flavor retention in this pour 3 1/4 years beyond "drink by" recommendations.

Goose Island Proprietor's Bourbon County Brand Stout (2019)



Full take in the 2025 Cellar Review thread. WBAYDN take, everything held on better than expected beyond the barrel. Prefer the latter typically, but this sweet offering works well, at least for the still morning time (only up a few hours at this point) and glad I have one more bottle in reserve.

Have a great day Beer Advocates!

 

Looks like it's been a pretty good day down there, @AzfromOz! Can never go wrong with a beach beer- Cheers

 

Happy Wednesday ba. Cold and windy as shit here once again but it sure is better than fire. Up and at it with some more, decently fresh, zombie dust,

 

Cheers!

 

Just wondering, shouldn’t this VB thread be ..63!?!

 

G'day all!

From Good Times Oakland, a mango smoothie by Great Notion. It has its fans but I reckon that it wouldn't be in my regular rotation if it was available locally. I did give it a very good rating..

Prost!

 

I'm back with another beer from Good Times Oakland. Canned December 19th.
Just another Hazy IPA that happens to be a Hazy Double IPA. These things wear on my palate quick smart.

Prost!

 

Cheers!

 

Happy frigid Wednesday, BAs!

Chilly Emma walk in - now making Mom lunch, and will get out on the x-c skiis later again this afternoon! It has been rare to have skiable snow on the ground for this long!



local river snowy scene!

 

Taking shit up a notch here ba. Black ops, 4 roses bba stout, Brooklyn. Probably gonna buy a few more packs with its price,

not sure what it means. But post for the two pic max and increase pages. Where the hell has the wolf man gone?

 

Hope you're all well - it's been a while, but I'm always lurking.

Yuengling Light Lager is my speed these days - Cheers!

 

Beautiful picture!

 

At Atlas Brick Oven pizza, an Imperial Stout from Lucky Hare for me and a Big Dutch Hazy IPA for the wife.

 

Cheers!