littlebobsy

I’ve lost count, but I’m around number 30 now, so lets call it that.

La Futée Blanche:

This is an impressive looking beast of a bottle. 750 ml, corked and caged with gold foil around the neck – it looks all the part of a champagne beer. This is obviously an occasion beer and I have one fit for opening…this beer marks the day I became a Canadian citizen. Its been a long and crazy journey, but I’m finally there, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with champagne (beer) and my lovely wife.

Pours into our champagne flutes the colour of apple cider with an impressive white mousse. While the head dies down somewhat it is adequately sustained by the high carbonation and lays down the odd streak of lace. Its a nice appearance, though I do feel a clearer beer would have been a better choice for the style.

The aroma is a tad subdued, but is characteristic of a malt-forward wit. Orange peel and coriander mix in with apple and pear. Overall, its clean and seems appropriate for a champagne style – I mean I’m not expecting to be punched in the face by the aroma as soon as the cork is popped.

The flavours are nice, leaning heavily toward a Belgian Wit, but with more fruity esters than I’d normally expect. Orange, coriander and wheat make up the expected character, but banana and apple also make their presence felt. The finish is crisp, with a fresh orange sharpness cleaning the palate. Its a delicate, but delicious range of flavour which I really appreciated, and my wife loved.

The carbonation is perhaps the most marked characteristic of this style. A true biere de champagne should recall that we call champagne ‘bubbly’. La Futée Blanche just scrapes in. I really expected a higher, more aggressive level of carbonation, but didn’t find it here. While the carbonation was high it seemed more transient in the mouth, which is a minus for the style, but a plus for me. My fear was that I’d find this style of beer to be too bubbly and, if poorly done, bloating. Fortunately I really enjoy this mouthfeel – the carbonation is soft and gentle in the mouth, despite the high number of bubbles. Also, while, it doesn’t linger to long, it does do an excellent job of refreshing the palate.

The drinkabilty is high. We had a 750 ml bottle, and it was gone before we knew it. The flavours are good, the mouthfeel is pleasing and the alcohol content isn’t stratospheric, so I actually find this beer to be quite sessionable, and I’d happily buy another bottle if the opportunity presents itself.

Antigravity Light Ale:

Single from the breakers bin, and my first ever light lager. I’ve read some reviews of others to get perspective on what is essentially a mediocre style.

Anaemic yellow body, and a small white head. The head diminishes somewhat, but is replenished by a constant stream of bubbles, and actually leaves a few small patches of lace. Light grain aroma with a splash of citrus. Lemon, grain, fruity malts in the flavour, but all a bit weak. Grainy aftertaste. Inoffensive, and I imagine actually pretty damn good for the style. Light body and high carbonation, which seems typical. Fairly light and easy to drink.

If I was reviewing this beer against all others I’ve had it would fare poorly. Everything is light and disappointing. Reviewed against its brethren, though, and its actually a superior beast. Heck, this beats out the non light macro lagers any day.