Corne Du Diable - Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel

mattsander

Alberta (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Deep brown, extremely hazy. Nice head, but this is a rather unappealing looking beer and it doesn't resemble an IPA at all.

S: A tootsie-roll dusted with minty, coarse hops. It has a 'dull' character, doesn't have the brightness I enjoy in an IPA.

T: Mimics the nose, balancing a dark toffee sweetness and a broad, nondescript hop vibe.

M: Sticky and dense, though I did finish the pint.

Not an IPA, just a mess.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 02:38:01 | More by mattsander

mscudder

Georgia

2.7/5  rDev -27.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Best by 5/12 (darn). Poured into a pint.

A - A deep murky copper/bronze with an off-white frothy head. Good retention. Very unique color for the style but I'll run with it.

S - Caramel malts, toffee and some biscuit notes. Everything here is very subtle. Too much so.

T - Starts with a pinch of hops that recede quickly after being dominated by subsequent flavors. A big malt body hits next; thick caramel, some roasted notes and almost a metallic sense. Awkward for sure, perhaps attributed to it age?

M - One of the most robust, creamy American IPA's I have ever had. Big medium body and soft carbonation. I am fairly certain that is not a good thing. The compositions seem to contrast too much for my liking, as if the goal was to form some sort of hybrid brew that just does not match up.

O - I feel it probably has something to do with this beers age but I cannot get behind it. The big malts are just too much for an "IPA."The note that I describe as metallic continued to become more pronounced as I drank making it almost unpleasant. For me, this is a complete miss.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 07:35:01 | More by mscudder

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 9/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a medium red amber; light head with lacing.
Aroma dominated by sweet malt with light aromatic hops. Taste has a hoppy start, with hops and light malt middle, hop finish. Citrus and hop forward throughout. A pleasant IPA. Reminiscent of a hop forward barley wine. Nice malty IPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 22:22:29 | More by LiquidAmber

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

341ml bottle poured into a pint glass. ABV 6.5%.

A - Poured a murky bronze with a 3cm beige head. Lots of lacing.

S - Caramel, citrus, pine, herbal notes.

T - Caramel, brown sugar, citrus (mostly grapefruit), lasting bitter finish.

M - Medium body, medium carbonation, creamy, dry, lasting aftertaste.

O - Sweeter and not as bitter as your typical IPA but a decent Ale overall.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 02:57:52 | More by decimator

Raebies

Australia

2.9/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Smells like a typical stout to my nose, plenty of malt but nothing in the way of hop aroma. Dark brown orange appearance, darker than a typical IPA. Tastes very bitter with lots of dry malt flavour, a hint of something metallic. Mouth feel is thicker than a typical IPA due to strong malt presence, with a 5mm layer of lacy brown foam after gentle pouring.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 11:26:43 | More by Raebies

beergoot

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A dark amber beer with a thick, creamy off-white head. Toffee and caramel malt smell; home-baked bread. Earthy spiciness with the hops. Rich, buttery, nicely bittered.

A good, journeyman IPA. It has rich malt flavors and smoothness, some fine hop bitterness, just lacks some strong hop aroma. Still, a good, hardy IPA and worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 19:27:05 | More by beergoot

csiewert

Oregon

2.78/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Drinking this by candlelight with the power out... Figured I didn't have much else to do.

A - hard to tell in the dark, but there was a TON of foamy head that would not go away that it took a while to pour. The beer looks very hazy and red-amber in color. The head retains very well and there is a good amount of think lacing.

S - sweet malt and earthy hops mainly, maybe with a touch of citrus. Not much impressive here.

T - caramel malt with a bitter fruity finish... Suggests to me that the hops were old on the one.

M - a little too much mouthfeel for an American IPA style beer... Maybe too cloyingly sweet... Yes definitely too cloying sweet. Sharp bitter finish that lingers on the sides of your tongue.

O - good beer... Not quite meeting an American IPA unless you can get it fresh

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 04:13:29 | More by csiewert

dansmcd

Australia

3.33/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Coppery brown in color with a foamy head which pulls back to a collar.

S - Malt forward for an American IPA with toffee and caramel, bitter orange peel hops flow through but dont quite match the malt sweetness.

T - Caramel first but then comes the citrus and pine hop character. Very roasty and even a bit smoky for an IPA, a bit like a black IPA. Some booze is evident.

M - Dry medium body, moderate carbonation.

O - I think this is a reasonably tasting beer, but it's a bit all over the place and far from indicative of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 07:24:07 | More by dansmcd

Johnnyfacelift

New York

3.35/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours very cloudy almlost murky but the head is strong with lacing around the glass. You can definitely smell the caramel malts and hop aroma along with the more pronounced English yeast. The beer is a bit busy and seems to have too many cooks in the kitchen, good but not entirely memorable. This is a good beer but I think I would personally go for the real American example.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 23:52:46 | More by Johnnyfacelift

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Firmly malted and with a hop presence that certainly balance the ale, yet struggles to gain command- Corne du Diable garners the flavor and balance that relegates it more to an American strong ale but with restrained alcohol flavor and feel.

Pouring a rusty, deep amber color the beer has a significant haze that leaves it somewhat dull in appearance. But the firm sandy head carries a masculine posture that outlasts the session and clings to the glass with very sticky lace.

Sharp and sweet, the aromas of caramel malt and brown sugar and met with the pungent hop character of pine needles, citrus, and leafy hop matter. The balanced aromas prevent dominance from hops, allowing a biscuity aroma to rise similarly to English IPAs.

The embattled balance continues with upfront flavors of rich molasses, biscuit, and fruitcake that latches on to the taste buds until the resiny hop flavor and bitterness of citrus pith, pine sap, and fresh grassy taste slices through the sweet grains and may apply for a slightly hop-forward finish. Complementary ester flavors of apples and marmalade help to bridge the gap between the malty start and resiny finish.

Fully textured from the ample creamy carbonation that embeds itself into the rich malt for a richer effect that allows for a sicky-dry hop resin finish that's accompanied by alcohol warmth in finish. Mild grape skin astringency and hop-derived bite rise as the malts fall and gives the beer a gripping bite to join with piney hops late in the session- the beer just grows methodically and slowly with it's hop bitterness.

For those who prefer a deeply malty IPA with intense hop bitterness and less perfume in the nose can surly get on board with this beer. Where it lacks finesse and brightness, it excels in balance and bite. It reminds me a lot of Mikkeller IPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2012 17:40:58 | More by BEERchitect

barczar

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy deep caramel color with a solid one finger cream head that leaves a bit of lacing and a sheet of foam.

Aroma is heavy caramel malt, hints of toast, and subtle herbal hops.

Flavor is decidedly malty initially, caramel and toffee, bread crust, leading to a bitter, somewhat nondescript finish. There's a hint of tangerine and grapefruit pith.

Body is moderate to syrupy, with moderate carbonation. Alcohol warmth is subtle, but present.

Overall, far sweeter and less hoppy than I thought. Somewhat dissapointing.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2012 03:14:56 | More by barczar

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

very cool canadian ipa, much different that many of the west coast american ones. pours a redish copper color with bright carbonation and an off white head close to two inches high. smells like caramel malts and piney hops. much more balanced than many of the american versions. the yeast too is also different, maybe not belgian, but similarly effervescent and spicy. flavor is again very well balanced, with a surprisingly bitter hop finish. this beer offeres all kinds of culinary potential, as it has something for everyone. good feel, bigger than medium body. overall a beer i will likely purchase again. its a nice respite from the american hop bombs.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 16:00:21 | More by StonedTrippin

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on October 2011.

Appearance - Pours a dark plum-like hue with a 1/4 finger width of bubbles.

Smell - Citrus, piney hops, touch of roasted barley malts.

Taste - Moderate level of hops flavour with a light citrus medley. Touch of roasty malts complements these flavours. Nice bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Nice dry finish.

Overall - A good easy drinkin' IPA from Dieu du Ciel. I enjoyed the aromas and flavours present in this brew, especially the roasted barley malts. A good representation of one of my favourite styles.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 03:00:13 | More by leaddog

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle dated 11/11. Thanks Michael! From tasting notes on February 25, 2012.

1 and a half finger head forms in my Southern Tier snifter. Slightly hazy,ruby red in color. The head is dense and sticks to the side of the glass.

Aroma is a pleasing grassy with some citrus hoppiness, with a touch of grapefruit. I'm getting a tad metallic stainless steel, though wouldn't describe is off smelling.

Bread and yeast greet the tongue, sugar and figs and metallic notes. Not terribly bitter, more sweet.

Average mouthfeel, a little too carbonated for my taste. There is a pretty sticky film left behind in the glass.

Not my favorite IPA, but tonnes of respect for Dieu du Ciel, consistently my favorite Canadian brewer since my university days in Montreal mid '90s.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 21:30:39 | More by DaPan

Giggy

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: a cloudy brown with orange edges. Minimal beige head

S: nothing to strong or special. Some caramel,malt, yeast, and piney aroma.

T: very bitter, lemon or grapefruit, caramel, toffee, & malt

M: strong hop bitter and dry. More carbonation than I would like.

O: not the best IPA. If someone likes bitter beers then they may really enjoy it. Wonder what the IBU is on this. It would definately be my limit.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 00:51:10 | More by Giggy

Meerkey

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Not really any head. A murky, bubbly muddy brown. Not very attractive, and rather dark for an IPA.

S: Fruity, malty, hoppy. Caramel. Very nice and interesting. I like it.

T: Wow. Not very good. Some roasted notes. Nutty. Some hops. Weird.

M: Ok, but not that great. Some carbonation, but a little thin.

O: Kind of disappointing to be honest. I won't be having another.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 23:39:38 | More by Meerkey

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.5 ounce bottle into a Dogfish Head signature glass. Notched 3 & 4.

A: The thin head fades fast. Noticeable sediment floats at the edges of this opaque, milk-chocolate-brown beer. Some bubbles. Quite dark for an IPA.

S: Delicious, and reminiscent of something (somebeer?) I can't put my finger on. Fruity. Caramel malt. Some yeast...this is a fascinating smell.

T: Whoah. Uh...What am I drinking? This doesn't taste like an IPA. It's hard to describe. Leafy, earthy, vegetal. Some obvious hops don't quite seem American. Bitter yes, but no pine or grapefruit. A bit spicy. Some of the malt I detected on the nose acts as a fortunate base, keeping the odd, mouldering flavours from getting out of control. I am not at all sure that I like the taste of this beer.

M: No complaints here. Firm, bready, carbonated, spot on. The aftertaste leaves a lingering dryness that is the perfect malt-hop balance. Yum.

O: Easily my least favourite of Brasserie Dieu du Ciel's beers I've tried. This doesn't look or taste like an IPA, and the bizarre notes in the flavour make it unrecommendable, especially considering the price. Still, I would drink it again, but it's not as much bad as it is unusual and confusing.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 23:29:09 | More by AgentMunky

sprucetip

Alaska

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep amber color, 2 inches of light tan head, good retention and thick lacing.

Rich caramel malty is dominant early, and joined by earthy and floral hops, and a little boozy heat. At first I was enamored with the caramel but disappointed in the relative lack of hops. But it changed dramatically over the course of the sample, as I sipped it slowly, and the floral and even somewhat fruity hops emerged and the caramel dissipated. It was quite an evolution that demonstrated a unique complexity.

The taste is more noticeably hoppy up front, and without the rich caramel malt that was so prominent in the smell. Mild/medium bitterness increases gradually and is paired with fairly sharp grapefruit hop flavor. The caramel is ever so barely present, and the heavy sweetness in the aroma is nearly completely buried. Pretty well balanced. Not bad if not amazing.

Good carbonation, medium body, vague warming with a bitter finish.

Really interesting beer in that the nose, to me, changed dramatically in character as I sipped the beer, and was largely incongruent with the taste with its initial presentation. This is a good beer, but not an amazing one. But it is unique, and I'd happily have it again. Curious what it would be like super fresh.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 19:56:04 | More by sprucetip

kojevergas

California

2.98/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

11.5 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Guinness conical pint glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Acquired at Wally's Wine in Westwood, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high given the brewery, but I always approach IPAs skeptically due to their tendency to be brewed with little regard for balance. Not paired with food or anything.

A: Pours a 2.5 finger head of good cream, good thickness, and great retention. Colour is an atypical caramel. Nontransparent and not particularly consistent or strong in its colour.

Sm: Very strange for an IPA. Extensive caramelization. Musty hops and dark floral notes. Some nuts. Heavy date fruit esters. Bready and maybe even a bit earthy. One of the most intense, complex, unexpected aromas I've experienced. Overall, I'd say it's date forward. A strong aroma.

T: Dates dominate, with some restrained hoppiness checked by bready and earthy notes alongside light balanced caramelized malts and dark floral notes. A strange taste particularly for an IPA. Grapefruit citrus esters. Maybe some raisin about the climax. Some cream. It's balanced alright, very experimental and strange, and complex but seemingly unlayered. I applaud the bold flavours and unique approach, but the balance is problematic and the flavour is a bit scattershot.

Mf: Smooth and wet, but too thin - especially on the open and throughout the first act. Could use more cream.

Dr: Very strange for the style and quite bold. I applaud the experimentation, but this comes off as too weird and imbalanced to warrant a higher than average rating. Still, I think everyone should try it merely for its unique approach. Enjoyable for its relative obscurity, but the novelty value is never more than that.

C

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 07:18:33 | More by kojevergas

Immortale25

Florida

4.61/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. Two notches on the label, one at 4 and the other at 2.

A- Pours a somewhat murky dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head that retains before sliding down the glass with sheet-like lacing following. It finally rests at an 1/8 inch ring around the edge of the glass and a layer of surface foam.

S- Barnyard-like musty hops. Fresh and pungent but still has a sweetness brought on by the malts.

T- Not as bitter as expected. The malts play a larger role in the overall flavor profile. The hops are there but don't stand out and are more earthy. They certainly are fresh though and eventually pull through with a mild bite after multiple sips. Yum.

M- Clean and soft for such a dark IPA. Medium-high carbonation plays well with the oils from the hops.

O- I paid an outrageous $5.99 for this but it was worth every cent. Love this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 03:37:56 | More by Immortale25

PatDreadful

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Tulip.

Appearance: It pours a very dark pumpkin color with a slightly off-white head that rises up and sticks around for quite some time. The head leaves huge sticky lacing throughout.

Smell: The aroma was beautiful. The hops are really present but they lean more toward the sticky sweet as opposed to a bright floral which is common with English IPA's. There is also a little caramel sweetness that helps keep the hops grounded.

Taste: The hops really hit you up front but they quickly give way to a very nice maltiness. This is all tied together with just the slightest amount of sweetness that reflects the caramel notes in the aroma. Finally the bitterness hits a bit later than most English IPA's which was very pleasant. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel: A light to medium body with very little carbonation that borders on perfection.

Drinkability: This is one of the better IPA's that I have had. Really well put together with a wonderful balance of flavors. I could drink this all night.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 18:56:50 | More by PatDreadful

oline73

Maryland

3.03/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy amber color with a finger of off white head. There is some decent retention to this one.

Smell: Very sweet from the malt. Some caramel and dates, quite fruity. There is a hop smell, but the malt dominates.

Taste: Follows from the smell. There is a better balance here than in the smell. Caramel malt with some dark fruit up front and a bitter fruity finish. The bottle says it is an English IPA and it definitely is.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with fluffy carbonation and a dry finish that is a bit gritty.

Overall: This is an average English IPA. The malt and hops fight each other just a bit. Still not bad.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 00:24:35 | More by oline73

theyellowdart

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was is my first beer from Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel.

Pours a Deep amber honey color, with a beautiful cream head. The aroma is not typical for a IPA, much more maltyness along with caramel sugar. of course some good hop aroma. -Nothing bad, just different.

Tastes something of a brown ale mixed with a IPA. again, not what I was expecting, but enjoyable. a good malt flavor, but not syrupy. bitter, but not unbalanced.

mild carbonation, which I could have gone for a bit more.

Good, I would get it again, but may not be for everyone.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 00:30:26 | More by theyellowdart

seand

California

3.3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a slightly translucent brown, with a small amount of dense tan head. A ring retains around the edge of the glass, as well as a few clumps on the surface, leaving some spots of lacing.

S: Very dense, sweet, and floral, bordering on cloying. Lightly bready as well.

T: Initially sweet, leading into a quite bitter finish, with just a hint of the floral tones coming through. A bit muddy through the middle.

M: Medium to full body, lots of prickly carbonation.

Overall, not terrible, but not great. I wouldn't get it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 00:03:35 | More by seand

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Consumed Nov. 19, 2011 at Inaugural Bottle Share. From notes. Thanks Nicole!

Pours a clear deep copper with a nice ring and light lacing. Aroma is dominated by sweet caramel malts hand alcohol, where are the hops? The body has flavours of biscuit malt, saltine crackers, some sweetness and an earthy bitterness. No citrusy American hops were noted, which is odd for the style. The beer has a nice sharp bite from the carbonation and the building bitterness.

The beer just isn't doing it for me as an American IPA as it is very bitter, but lacking significant hope character. More of an ESB and quite disappointing considering the other beers DDC puts out.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 00:23:56 | More by kjyost