Élixir Céleste - Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel

SFLpunk

Vermont

2.8/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Notes from recent trip to the Montreal Dieu du Ciel brewpub. (6/9/09)

Pale and crystal clear with almost no head. Round and sweet lager with pale maltiness and some light mixed fruits. Crisp hops prevent it from being too sweet. Too close to a macro for me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2009 06:00:12 | More by SFLpunk

schlimenhaumer

New York

3.3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a Radeberger flute at low altitude. Didn't realize this beer would be so hard to come by in the US.

A: Pours a beautiful hazy honey-colored gradient with a creamy two-finger off-white head and excellent lacing. It couldn't look any more appealing than this.

S: Prominent floral hops notes with a bit of malt in the background. Surprisingly, I'm getting some faint alcohol notes as well.

T: Contrasts with the smell in that malts are the most prominent flavor, followed by a slight bit of hoppy bitterness. A bit mundane in this respect.

M: Medium-bodied with a wet mouthfeel. Not a whole lot going on here.

D: This one is alright, not something I would go out of my way to buy. The overpowering malt flavor makes this similar to a lot of other beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 20:04:07 | More by schlimenhaumer

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crystal clear deep golden color with a smallish white head that slowly dissipates but leaves some spotty lace on the way down. Smells of earthy with a hint of fruit, floral with a hint of wet dog. It honestly smells a bit too fruity. The flavor is bready and malty up front but soon cut with spicy floral and fruity hops. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet almost sticky mouthfeel. Not a bad beer, but the sample I had was either older or this beer is a bit too sweet for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 03:27:22 | More by johnnnniee

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a clear bright golden color lager with a large frothy head with good retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of clean crisp cereal notes with light dry hoppy notes. Taste is a nice mix between some clean cereal notes with some light crisp dry hops with a semi-sweet malt backbone. Body is fuller then average with good carbonation. Very well brewed though a bit too sweet for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 19:58:29 | More by Phyl21ca

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottled on 06/12. Poured in to tulip glass.

A - Pale straw yellow. A thin layer of cream coloured head formed and receded to a ring around the edges of the glass.

S - Sweet bready malts, some caramel and a touch of spice int he background.

T - Sweet bready malts dominate with hints of caramel/toffee and spice. A floral hop bitterness is present in the finish. Warming despite the low ABV.

M - Medium body; creamy. Moderate carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 18:48:34 | More by TheSevenDuffs

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle

Appearance – Clear amber/copper colour with an average size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some fair lacing. The head lasted for around 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Grains, bread, malts, caramel, floral hops, lemon

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an average amount of carbonation. I can taste breads/grains mixed with light floral hops and some caramel malts. There is also some corn flavour mixed with lemon zest. It finishes with a malty slightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall – This is definitely a DDC beer that will appeal to the masses. It's highly drinkable and the taste is well balanced. I just feel like it's missing that extra little something to make it a truly must try beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 14:16:25 | More by spinrsx

pootz

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

For a Tutonic malt lover my trip to Montreal has proven a good one...2 great marzens and now this wonderful Bohemian. This taps with a glorious hazed orange-yellow with a substantial white cap that laces well. A Saaz blast awaits the nose but there is more nutty-sweet malt present in this aroma. wonderful well rounded mouth feel..medium-light bodied...almost perfect balance between nutty/bready malts and grassy citrus hops....finish is clean and crisp with some bittering and a biscuit dough after taste....a well made bohemian lager.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2005 14:22:45 | More by pootz

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

8oz glass at the brewpub.

This beer appears a somewhat hazy medium golden colour, with one thick finger of thin foamy white head, which leaves a nice wall of pock-marked lace around the glass as it lazily recedes.

It smells of white cracker, bready cereal grain, a bit of earthy honey, and floral, grassy old-world hops. The taste is sweet white grain, a nice fruity, understated honey sweetness, and more tangy floral, weedy, grassy hops.

The carbonation is moderate, the body a decent medium weight, a tad clammy, but generally smooth. It finishes mostly dry, crisp, and hoppy.

Tasty, to be sure, and a pretty bang-on example of the style, worthy of a round or two, or perhaps more, bien sur.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2009 06:12:10 | More by biboergosum

MasterSki

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to papat444 for this random DDC offering. Dated June, 2012. Served in a pilsener glass.

A - Generous white foam settles to a thick cap and glass-coating lace. Transparent golden bubbles with copious streaming bubbles.

S - Cereal grains, wheat, bread, and lightly spicy and floral hops.

T - Taste has a bit more buttery pilsner malt, as well as cereal grains, bread, mild fruitiness, and some moderate hop bitterness in the finish.

M - Somewhat chewy and sticky, medium-bodied, with active carbonation, and a lightly dry finish.

D - It's a solid, well-executed Bohemian Lager. I could have gone for a bit more hopping and a little more crispness to enhance session potential, but this is eminently drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 03:18:09 | More by MasterSki

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks again for the great beers, Jayhoop.

Appearance. Pours a honey gold with a little amber and just a skim of white head.

Smell. Nice grassy, lightly spicy hops, and some sweet light grains.

Taste. Losts of earthy, spicy hops., some light grains backing it up. Lots of great flavour in this one. Has that DDC distinctinction, not sure how else to say it, but it's there.

Mouthfeel. medium body, medium, kinda lively but still smooth carbonation. Really nice

Overall. DDC never seems to lack in a rich taste, even in a lighter style like this. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 01:54:22 | More by Rutager

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - slightly hazy deep golden, thumb of white head dissipated to a thin cover, plenty of lacing was consistent
S - peppery, grainy, earthy, cut grass, and a mild metallic
T - a mix of peppery and grassy hops up front, a touch of bubblegum, with a light cracker grain background, and a mineral quality late in finish
M - light and well carbonated, crisp and clean with a mild pepper feel, they really nailed it in this department
O - a fine take on a classic style, peppery hops are the big feature here in my opinion and that makes it stand out a little from the crowd, well done as usual from DDC

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 00:54:10 | More by joemcgrath27

Yoonisaykul

Quebec (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Yé. A Quebec bottled Pilsner.

A- Nice, very clear gold with a slightly chunky, slightly yellowish head.

S- Some rose water hoppiness with a very nice grain smell. A little lemony.

T- Not sure how to describe this. Quite hoppy with a nice tasting but very light malt base. Grassy. Bitterness seems to grow with every sip and lingers long after.

M- Great. Very smooth, medium bodied. Low carbonation. Dry and astringent.

O- Light but with a very heavy bitterness. Fun to drink. Hope they sell 6-packs.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 20:41:05 | More by Yoonisaykul

StaEva

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I incidentally wandered into this pub before performing a concert in Montreal 6 years ago. I've never been back since as I live in Philadelphia, but I always remember this beer and completely intend on finding this place again on my next trip to Montreal.

Good classic Pils color, with a half finger head that did not dissipate until half way through the glass. Great head retention and carbonation reminiscing of spring rain. Incredible aroma, one of the best hop/grassy/ herbal aromas I've ever encountered on a Pilsner.

Nice floral hop notes with good bready malts in the middle. Nice bitterness refreshes the palate and get the saliva glands kicking.

I had five in one sitting. Definitely gets you craving.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2011 02:30:43 | More by StaEva

scottum

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served a clear light amber with a big white head. This one comes in a huge pilsener pint glass. Tastes nice and crisp. Malts are also there and are slightly sweet. The brew has very solid balance. A very solid lager without a doubt. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2004 02:57:14 | More by scottum

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The style type they had for this one when I visted in April was: Blond Bohemian Lager...Anyway: Blond in color, natch, it came topped with a white frothy head that left nice fingers of lace in my glass. I enjoyed it's perfumey aroma. Mouthfeel was good and properly carbonated. Malty taste was also nice and smooth, and I ended up with some bicuity taste in th finish and astringency as well.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2004 20:47:50 | More by PatandDavid

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from ZorPrime, 341ml into a tulip. Bottled June 2012.

Clear golden yellow, few fingers of white head. Some pretty good lacing, and moderate retention. Nose is somewhat sweet, grains, a bit of grassy and herbal character. Light mineral character. Lots more in terms of hops on the palate, big bitter grassy Noble hopping takes hold. Mild sweet, grainy malt character. Medium light body, and medium carbonation. Refreshing, and quite delicious for the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 18:23:30 | More by liamt07

santa109

Quebec (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this at the brewpub in Montréal.

A: Pours a dark golden color with a thick head. Leaves a decent amount of lacing on the glass. A swirl brings back a huge head.

S: The aromas mostly consist of floral hops and grain.

T: Starts off with floral hops and then follows with a thick maltiness. Very cereal-like. This beers was very satisfying at every sip. It left you wanting more but felt voluptuous and round at every sip.

M: Med-bodied with a decent amount of carbonation again. This seems to be the overall feel of the Dieu du ciel beers. Again, the same drying effect that I experienced in a few of their other beers. Fits the taste of the beer very well.

D: I could've spent the evening with this one, hadn't it being that the Chaman was on their menu. 1 pint left me very satisfied.

Overall, a great beer that I wasn't expecting too much from the style it was described as : Bohemian style lager. I had it as a taster and was amazed at how tasty and satisfying it felt. I had to try a full pint. No need to say that I wasn't let down by the bigger format.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2008 00:16:55 | More by santa109

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours an orange gold colour with a thin white line of head.

Smell - Grains, citrus, earthy hops, tropical aroma (like pineapple).

Taste - Earthy hops and tropical/pineapple flavours along with wheat and grains. Nice level of bitterness that lingers into the finish. A bit of spicy yeast can be picked up.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with light-to-medium carbonation.

Overall - An enjoyable bohemian lager by Dieu du Ciel. Great hop and wheat/grain flavour. I could probably drink this as a session.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 03:18:34 | More by leaddog

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, bottled July 2011.

Appearance: A gold body stands beneath a bubbling head that has great retention and chunks of thick lacing on the sides.

Smell: Citrus, mildly floral with lots of sweet fruit and not much hops.

Taste: Lemon, orange, pink grapefruit, earthy hops. Nice bitterness that finishes a slight bit dry. Raw and good.

Mouthfeel: Lively body with great carbonation. Astringency is restrained. Body is a little on the light side in the middle but otherwise a great feel.

Overall: A nice refreshing lager. Simple with a discreet bitter punch. Great for summer.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 10:24:58 | More by papat444

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Gold color; nearly clear. Small head but lasts. Good lace.

Admittedly, my nose is a little shot. I just had Dieu's Stout. Obviously, this is a lighter fare: good hop with solid malt base.

The beer is richer than the smell with stronger hop. It's also more full-bodied (than the style) with just the right amount of carbonation.

In many ways, I regret having the stout just prior to this tasting because I think that this is, like Dieu's other offerings, a powerful offering.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2008 20:38:26 | More by smcolw

ctgui

Quebec (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 07/2011.

A- Clear Golden color with a small lacing.

S- Citrusy and floral smell with a presence of grain. Loved it.

T- The taste follows the smell well: citrusy and floral.Some bitterness and dry in the end.

M- Good carbonation, and a medium body.

D- Overall, a nice pilsner with great drinkability, could easily have a few of these. Another good beer by Dieu du Ciel!

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 01:28:15 | More by ctgui

ZorPrime

Quebec (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The color is golden, quite clear. Nice white foamy head, cloud looking head. Sticky. The aroma is very pilsner. Floral hops with some malts presence. Dry in the nose. Taste is dominated by the dryness... Very dry you want to drink, drink and drink. Medium body beer. The carbonation is not strong, just perfect. Very nice mouthfeel. So easy to drink. The finish is dry and bitter, very bitter. I like this. Well balanced. A session beer IMO.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 13:29:24 | More by ZorPrime

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub.

Pours a clear golden amber, a bit of lighter yellow in the edges, very thick white head forms and settles down to a thick layer, good lacing stick on the glass.

Smell is real nice, very herbal, a bit of light fruit, floral, nice biscuity/cracker maltiness, honey sweetness, sharp grassy hoppyness, lightly herbal, very nice.

Taste is nice too, malty up front, some honey and biscuit, lightly bready, some light fruit, herbal and grassy hops, touch of citrus and floral, great bitterness in the finish, really nice pils flavour.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with medium carbonation. This is a great pils, very hoppy but great and complex maltiness, and super drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2010 23:50:14 | More by Viggo

kylesobrien

Quebec (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice golden yellow, with a thin white head. Carbonation is lighter than I'm used to with other lagers, but the aroma is dead on -- a very pleasant hoppy scent.

Élixir Céleste tastes of plentiful noble hops coupled with a slight and fleeting sweetness. A fantastic bottled lager. I'm reminded of some lagers I've had on draft in Germany and the Czech Republic. While this isn't quite the same as having a draft of Budějovický Budvar, it's much, much closer than a lot of other breweries manage to get with their Bohemian lagers.

I'm probably biased, as I enjoy most of Dieu du Ciel's brews. But I think it's hard to argue that this isn't one of the better bottled lagers available. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 01:58:13 | More by kylesobrien

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours a sparkling gold with a finger and a half of white head that left some slippery lace on the Mondial glass (which actually suited pilseners well). Hell of a lot of saaz in the aroma, mixing with lemon zest, toasted biscuity malts and tree fruit. Very clean and tempting. Certainly hop-dominated in the flavour, with a big dose of saaz combining with grapefruit to provide a substantial bitterness in the finish. However, there is able support from cereal like malts, and some added complexity from floral and herbal notes. The mouthfeel on this beer is excellent, with a perfect crispness that accentuates the bitterness of the hopping.

This is a damn solid Czech Pils, but perhaps overly-hopped for the style. I'm not BJCP though, and I love hops, so this was a clear winner for me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2010 15:41:54 | More by bobsy