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

Charlevoix La Vache Folle

I recently bought a four pack of Charlevoix La Vache Folle beers. Included in the package were two ESB's, one Imperial Milk Stout and one Amarillo Double IPA. Microbrasserie Charlevoix is a craft brewer located in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec which opened in 1998. Their flagship beers are the Dominus Vobiscum Belgian Style Ales as well as the "Mad Cow" La Vache Folle beers.

The most incredible beer was the Imperial Milk Stout which was a truly wonderful experience. A big beer with amazing coffee, chocolate, roasted malts and cream. A unique mixture of the roasted malts with creamy flavors.

The ESB was the only beer in the pack which could be considered a session beer. Hugely drinkable and very crisp, clean and has a delicious malty hops taste complex. Beautiful pour with bountiful white head.

The last of the beers I tried was the Amarillo Double IPA, which was an unusual Imperial IPA. The first taste is extremely sweet with forward hop bitterness. Floral hops, grass, lemon, lime, grapefruit with mild malts throughout are also detected. A very drinkable Imperial IPA.