Le Merle - North Coast Brewing Co.

Goliath

Illinois

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a hazy golden color with a large bright white head. The head receeds at a moderate pace and leaves nothing behind.

The aroma is decent. There is some sweet candi sugar, yeast, and fruity aromas. I dig it.

The taste is ok. There are some nice fruity flavors as well as a bit of yeast. The pale malt provides a bit of bread as well. The hop profile provides a very light bitterness which is balanced by a touch of sweetness.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied and nicely efforvescent with tiny bubbles that provide a good tingle.

Overall it's a nice beer. Definitely a nice showing for a saison. I would consider this a good starting point for a Belgian style ale for those interested in ale's of that type.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 23:36:17 | More by Goliath

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

05-20-2013 00:56:30 | More by NJB145

jbeervt

Vermont

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-19-2013 16:36:25 | More by jbeervt

rangerred

Tennessee

4.14/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

375ml bottle into a tulip.

Pours a nearly clear medium gold with a huge billowy white head. The head sticks around seemingly forever leaving huge globs of lacing on the sides of the glass.

Spicy aroma with pear, orange, and lemon that is very typical of a Saison. Nothing off at all that I can detect.

Flavor is more pear and lemon with a little bit of orange. There is some bready malt detectable in the background. While bitterness leans towards the light side the mouthfeel is very dry as any good saison should be leaving some lingering spice on the palate.

Overall, a really good example of the style although there is nothing that really stands out as unique. Nonetheless it is one that I would drink on a regular basis if it was cheaper.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 01:43:17 | More by rangerred

heygeebee

Australia

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

From Platinum.

Appearance - hazy light gold, less head than expected. Little lace or film.

Smell - yeast, orange peel, lemon zest.

Taste - funk, lemons, yeast, orange peel.

Mouthfeel. - light and zesty.

Overall - a flavoursome Saison.... Many underlying flavours in the base beer. Not as easy drinking as some... Is that a good or a bad thing ? :-)

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 12:50:55 | More by heygeebee

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-16-2013 18:47:56 | More by Slatetank

fatmusic14

Colorado

3.86/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

At first, I thought it looked like a substandard pilsner. I looked closer and noticed the waves upon waves of bubbles floating to the surface like Charlie. Its neverending, really. Decent head, thin but plentiful. Dissipates quickly but leaves about a quarter inch. No lacing.

Smells like the springtime. Herbal, earthy, citrusy with hints of other fruits.

Tastes almost exactly like it smells. Very subtle tones of lemongrass, banana. Not so subtle tones of grapefruit and small malty aftertaste.

M - Top Notch

O - Sure. Go ahead. Grab a few.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:23:31 | More by fatmusic14

CADMixes

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-13-2013 00:47:01 | More by CADMixes

ystazi

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

05-11-2013 18:27:49 | More by ystazi

2GOOFY

California

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-10-2013 01:46:02 | More by 2GOOFY

jkane101

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-10-2013 00:14:28 | More by jkane101

BeerlyLegal

California

4.65/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Le Merle is a smooth brew for any celebratory occasion or summer evening. Hints of champagne and lady juices along with apples and natural herbs. Sourish with little aftertaste, this brew has pale/light characteristics and with a 7.9% ABV this makes it a perfect way to start or end the night.

Overall, this is as light of a Belgian I'll ever enjoy and would consider this to be the real champagne of beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 04:58:28 | More by BeerlyLegal

Jree261

California

4.16/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours cloudy golden out of the bottle with off white foam

S: Straw, stone, red fruit, citrus

T: Cherry, citrus, tastes like the beach on a summer day

M: Good medium full mouthfeel with round fruit.

O: Excellently balanced with a good finish. Makes me excited for summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 00:38:05 | More by Jree261

beerhorn12

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

04-30-2013 20:12:21 | More by beerhorn12

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-29-2013 02:19:04 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

04-15-2013 17:46:56 | More by Whiskeydeez

sgttibbs

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

04-14-2013 16:12:01 | More by sgttibbs

kmoen

California

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-14-2013 03:57:09 | More by kmoen

Thomas_Picton

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-10-2013 20:17:44 | More by Thomas_Picton

pkalix

California

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-08-2013 00:36:50 | More by pkalix

Nutwood

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-04-2013 15:39:40 | More by Nutwood

beercanman

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

04-03-2013 06:51:20 | More by beercanman

cjw333

California

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

03-31-2013 08:34:43 | More by cjw333

MinorThreat

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

03-30-2013 18:31:11 | More by MinorThreat

JGaudio

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

03-28-2013 14:38:40 | More by JGaudio