Noire De Chambly / Chambly Noire
This is a 750 mL C&C bottle. I am been anxious to tap into this new release. The ale was first cold but is now (2 hours later) up to room temperature. Appearance: The ale is a deep brown color. Hints of caramel emerge at the edges. There is no sign of a head. Smell: The ale pours with a funky yeasty aroma that I can best describe as being similar to La Terrible. Taste: When cold, the ale has an unmistakeable rauch flavor, smoky and dense. As it warms, the wheat takes over, giving it a spritzy lighter taste. I was hoping for more body (based on the appearance alone), but based on the style (this is not a BSDA), the wheat profile hits the mark. Mouthfeel: The ale sits well on the palate, with the yeast assisting in imparting a pleasant taste. Drinkability: I think that I could drink a few, but this beer is a pale comparison to some of Unibroue's best. As a complete aside, didn't Unibroue produce an ale for Trader Joe's last year? Is it possible that this is that ale? EDIT: The ale takes on a smoky unpleasant aroma if not consumed almost immediately. Based on the second bottle that led me to this conclusion, I reduced the taste of a 4.5 to a 3.5 and the mouthfeel and drinkability both from 4 to a 3.