Unusualness

One of the qualifications of this column seems to be how different or unusual a beer is. The Floreffe Triple Abbey Beer qualifies with its thick, white, long-lasting foam and orangey-gold body, which at first is clear and see-through, then becomes opaque and cloudy as the foam dissipates. The odours of hops and barley malt and yeast pre-dominate, but the taste is sweet, with cane sugar content balancing the bitter hoppy flavours. At 7.5% alcohol, and $6.30/750 ml bottle, it is SAQ available. Originating in Quenast, Brebant Wallon, Belgium, it is produced by Brasserie Lefebvre. Went well with sole fillets in scallion-dill sauce with mushrooms.

Another peculiarly interesting beer is the Fuller’s London Porter, brewed by Fuller, Smith And Turner (Griffin Brewery), London, England. Its rich, creamy beige head covers the dark brown-black liquid beautifully. Aromas of coffee and chocolate astound pleasantly, with an absorbing complex similarity in the mouth. $3.65/500ml bottle, and 5.4% alc. , it is found at SAQ stores. The label points out “this historic style (porter) makes a fine after-dinner drink” and could accompany devil’s food desserts, as well as steaks and roasts.

In beer news, next week-end brings us the popular Chambly Beer Festival (Festival de Bières et Saveurs) – Friday, September 2nd to Monday, September 6th,2010 (Labour day). Weather permitting, this is one of the most beautiful sites to appreciate nature, food, and fine brews, in the back drop of the flowing Richelieu river and the “Fort de Chambly”. Hope to see you there!!

Beer specials- August 30th to September 5th, 2010:

PA Supermarkets –Sleeman and Stella Artois-$12.99/12.

Adonis Supermarkets – Heineken – $13.95 for 12.

Pleasant libations.

The Bugler

(Beer Ambassador)