Unibroue Don du Dieu

Don de Dieu is a triple wheat ale according to Unibroue but I found it particularly hard to label this beer under a single style in particular. Unibroue is perhaps the best known Canadian or Quebec microbrewery widely available throughout Canada. Best known for their Belgian Style ales such as La Fin Du Monde, Maudite, Trois Pistoles, La Terrible and 17 just to name a few.

In a historical context, Don de Dieu was the ship sailed by

Samuel de Champlain from France to Quebec in 1608. In French, Don de Dieu means "gift of god". Samuel de Champlain explored the St. Lawrence River and is known today as the Father of New France.

Don de Dieu pours a golden orange body with a fizzy finger of off white head. The aroma is incredible with fragrant yeast, mild hops, malts, citrus and wheat identifiable. A subtle nuance of vanilla beans also become apparent in the aroma. The taste is sublime, with huge alcohol with complexly blended nutty malts, hops and floral yeast. The finish is quite dry with the alcohol burn and huge wheat taste. I find the head disappointing as it vanishes quickly and makes lacing non-existent. Overtime, the mild hoppiness diminishes and is replaced in part by a slight citrus flavor. At 9% ABV and in the 650 mL bottle, this is a huge beer that is probably best shared with another. Don de Dieu is a huge beer that is full of flavor and does not disappoint your tastebuds. It is truly a "Gift of God".

Grade: A-

Next review: IseKadoya Imperial Smoked Porter

Japanese Craft Beer: Hitachino Nest XH

In recent years, Japanese craft brewers have been making huge strides into the beer connoisseur market with interesting ales. For the most part, Japan and beer are known for such rice adjunct beers like Sapporo, Asahi and Kirin. Recently a raft brewer has paralled Sake brewing to beer, this being Hitachino. Hitachino is most well known for their Nest Ales, in particular the Espresso Stout which has received much acclaim in the craft beer community. Other craft breweries such as Ise Kadoya have begun to distribute their products to North America as well.

Hitachino is brewed at Kuichi Brewery in Ibaraki, Japan. Since only a few Hitachino beers are currently distributed in my area, I figured I would pick up the cheapest one to try. This happened to be the Hitachino Nest XH (Extra High) Ale, which

is apparently matured to 8% ABV in sake casks is a Belgian Strong Ale.

I was slightly apprehensive due to the unknown flavors which would be imparted on the beer by the sake casks and the alteration of the unique yeast taste character which I love in Belgian Style beers. However, I found that in the end, Hitachino Nest XH is a unique brew but maintains the depth and character common in a Belgian Strong Ale.

The pour is a dark brown color nearing on a shade of black with a thin off white head. Complex aroma involving strong yeasty esters, rich toffee malts, slight hops and a grassy mould like aroma. First taste is extremely smooth and sweet with yeasts and malts at the forefront. Subtle and complex hints of grass, earth and spice. A lovely Belgian Strong Ale, but I was unable to place the Sake cask maturation flavors at all. None-the-less, the Nest XH is a very drinkable and enjoyable 8% ABV beer.