Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Cuvee D'Hiver (Driftwood)

On Ratebeer this is labeled as a wild/soul ale. Yet the Driftwood label says "Farmhand" which usually refers to a Saison. However you pour this one, it's delicious. The Cuvee is really good but I think people might be disappointed. Sadly it does not live up to Driftwood uber-awesome release status. It is very unfair because this brew is excellent and complex, but it is not super delux. Singularity was frighteningly delectable and Old Cellar is the stuff of legends. Whenever someone mentions Belle Royal, I still salivate. It should be noted that this release uses locally grown and malted barley from Mike Doehnel. Two other local beers have used this barley: Philips Pail Ale and Spinnakers Happy New Beer.

Cuvee D'Hiver (Driftwood) = 7/10

Once you pull the cap the aromas just ooze out. The spicy, peppery yeasts hit one nostril, while the lemons and fruits get the other. Every sip is very effervescent with lots of carbonation that sandblast the palate from start to finish. Each sip is very peppery and a little tart but the sweetness of the lemons and pineapples are not lost. There is also a bit of straw/honey sweetness; luckily the Cuvee is not mouthpuckeringly dry like some saisons. All these zesty flavours sadly do not linger long.

Taste +3
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content +1 6.5%
Value +1
Appearance +1 (nice artwork and a glorious sunshine yellow pour)

Deckhand Saison (Lighthouse)
Moinettes Dupont
Pretty Things Jack D'Or

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