Cheval Blanc Double Blanche

I did my brother a tiny favour and he reciprocated by bringing me a bottle of Cheval Blanc Double Blanche, both a "strong wheat beer on lees" and a "Belgian style, dry-hopped IPA." The 750mL corked bottle contained a cloudy gold liquid that packed a respectable 6.2% alcohol. From Montreal, Quebec, Cheval Blanc is the product of Les Brasseurs RJ.

C.B. poured with a very lively layer of eggshell head. Through that cloud, a hearty aroma of yeast and dry bitterness emerged, as well as a faintly perfumed floral tone. In terms of flavour, the beer is amply hoppy (I'd have said it was more bitter than the 55 IBUs listed on the label) and very dry. There was a well-muscled yeast presence that left no illusions about the beer's Belgian-inspired roots.

I thought that Cheval Blanc was a pretty decent ale: good strength, strong flavour, and sold in a large format. It wasn't the Québécois interpretation of a Belgian ale I've ever tasted, but it sipped easily and left me feeling pretty cheery.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Death Valley

Emblazoned with a vulture atop a gnarled tree stump in the desert, the labels on corked 750mL bottles of Death Valley screams of dryness. According to the label, hops lovers ought rejoice, as this brew is unfiltered and dry-hopped with three strains: Bravo, Saaz, and Amarillo. DV is listed as both "Triple Hop" and as that Quebecois favourite, a strong beer on lees. I'm going to call it a Belgian-inspired pale ale. It contains 8% alcohol and pours a cloudy golden orange. Upon decanting, this beer gives rise to a vivacious fog of off-white head. It's brewed in Montreal, Quebec by Les Brasseurs RJ, an outfit that I'd never previously heard of, though after a quick internet search, I discovered that I have tried a few of their ales.

DV has a yeasty, hops-friendly aroma that walks a line between citrus and floral. Its flavour is unexpectedly muted for a beer that has a desert hellscape on the label--there are yeasty, fruity notes running a few metres ahead of a hopsy, dryish finish. It tastes like a strong ale, though perhaps not quite as muscular as 8%.

Worth mentioning is the low, low sticker price. I got a 750mL bottle of Death Valley for a practically obscene and nearly irresponsible $5.60. In terms of bang for your buck at Ontario liquor stores, Death Valley is a real contender for Grand Champion. Step aside South African "port" and Canadian "sherry". For the budget conscious connoisseur (say that three times fast), Death Valley is a major bargain! Given that it's a pretty agreeable brew, it's a hit. 

 

A nice brew from La Belle Province, DV combines craft ale sensibility with big heat. It's not as hoppy as I wanted it to be and the Belgian-style yeast is a bit heavy-handed, but I'd definitely buy it again.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Don de Dieu

Don de Dieu comes from Chambly, Quebec. It's a triple white ale brewed by the incomparable Unibroue. I enjoyed a 341mL bottle at a tucked away and really excellent little Toronto gastropub called Hair of the Dog. The label has a beautiful image of Samuel de Champlain's ship, Le Don de Dieu, circa 1608. It's billed as an extra strong beer on lees and contains a hearty 9% alcohol.

The "Gift from God" is a cloudy golden brew that pours with a thick blanket of white head. An assertive yeastiness in the nose is accompanied by a malt-heavy fruitiness and a boozy kick. This is definitely the strongest white ale I've ever chanced upon.

Don de Dieu is very flavourful, with a Belgian-style yeast profile, a tart apple subtext, and a short malt and booze finish. It's a nice strong beer with some character.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.