A remarkably dry, citrusy blonde ale that, once dry-hopped, becomes a true burst of sunshine setting the archipelago’s sky ablaze.
This version blends beers aged for six months in Armagnac barrels with young beer to add complexity and nuance to this beer bursting with flavour.
Notes of citrus, spice, wood and hops, with a festive intensity!
This beer was one of the highlights of my visit to À l’abri de la tempête. By the time I went to buy a bottle for a tasting, it had sold out! Luckily, once I was back in the Montréal area, I managed to find one here.
It pours a beautiful ochre yellow, bright as sunshine yet still quite opaque. A lovely white head completes the picture. Visually, it certainly lives up to its name!
On the nose, wood comes through alongside tropical fruit and citrus. There is even a hint of sweetness that reminds me distinctly of orange juice.
On the palate, this is a particularly sunny beer. Orange remains very prominent, with that juicy sweetness carrying through pleasantly. There is also a lovely honey sweetness, dried apricot and grape. The wood is clearly noticeable, especially as the beer warms, accompanied by a subtle spicy touch that reminds me of nutmeg.
What I particularly enjoy is the role of the Armagnac barrel ageing. It brings a certain roundness to a beer that nevertheless retains a fairly dry character. A few delicately astringent notes also give the whole a firmer edge.
A complex, bright beer that is a real pleasure to drink. The original version was already among my favourites… and this second encounter certainly does nothing to change my mind!