Mea Culpa - Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz glass, a surprise last-minute update to the St. Paddy's Day lineup at the Underground, and a nitro-infused IPA to boot.

This beer appears a hazy dark brickish amber hue, with two fingers of foamy, somewhat bubbly off-white head, which leaves a randomly broken wall of painted lace around the glass

It smells of sweet rock candy, floral honey, weak caramel malt, tame citrus fruit salad, neutered pine needles, and a bit perfumed hops. The taste is surprisingly bitter citrus hops, more pithy sugary dime-store candy, lightly bready caramel malt, a meekly overarching mustiness, and a touch of warming booze.

The bubbles are quite laid back, and unobtrusive to the end, the body a middling medium weight, and smooth in the absence of any other meddlers, but hardly evident of a standard nitro pour. It finishes off-dry, the perfumed hops just confusing the matter with the base caramel and strange sugary essences.

A bit of a departure for an IPA for me - the gritty sugary character is indeed new, and informs this affair well beyond the norm, as while the bitterness is duly represented, it somehow falters in the face of the overbearing perfume and 7-11 candy nature. Different, sure, but not in a really worthy sense.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-18-2013 01:27:00 | More by biboergosum

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

5oz sampler at the DDC tap takeover at National Beer Hall 24/11/12 and a pint at Beer Revolution the next day

A slight haze in a amberish orange body, a few sloe bubbles and a thin film that leaves patches of lace

S smells a little sweet with some honey, sweet breads and citric hops

T some orange rind on top of what I smell, the hops are stronger and has a better flavor then the nose would let you think

M smooth with enough carbonation to give it some life and a little grit left behind on my gums

O pretty nice beer but I was expecting more of a hop bomb, I just had very high expectations I suppose its good but I was expecting amazing

I'm just happy I got to try this one without spending the money on a plane ticket to Montreal. It's a solid beer well worth trying but its a little high on the Canadian Top 100 all things considered

Serving type: nitro-bottle

12-19-2012 04:17:44 | More by wordemupg

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Listed as an American IPA but in reality this is an IPA/Cream Ale hybrid. Since Indian Cream Ale is a choice...

A-Copper with a creamy, medium light tan head leving nice lace.

S-A bit of citrusy hop aromas come thru but it is a bit difficult to pick things up thru the creamy head.

T-Citrusy hops up front with the underlying smoothness one would expect in a cream ale. A very interestng combination.

M-Smooth and luscious. This is one is a joy on the palate.

D-Very nice. I like the attempt at something a bit different. I wouldnt mind another...but if I could have a bit more hops please!

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-05-2008 08:26:46 | More by Deuane

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cask - my first cask beer

Appearance - The beer pours an amber colour with a nice size frothy off white head. I can't make out much carbonation due to the haziness of the beer, and the lacing was above average. The head lasted for several minutes before it began to dissipate.

Smell - hops, grains, caramel, grapefruit

Taste & Mouth - There wasn't much carbonation but the beer felt very creamy and smooth on the palette. I could really taste the hops and there was a nice fruity sweetness mixed with breads/grains. There was also some malts along with grapefruit and orange notes. It finishes with a hop and sweet cookie aftertaste.

Drink - This was the first cask beer I've had and I really enjoyed it, be sure to try it when you visit the Dieu Du Ciel pub.

Serving type: cask

11-29-2010 14:57:59 | More by spinrsx

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

As noted this is more of a cream ale - IPA hybrid than anything, and perhaps errs more to the side of a quintessential Canadian cream ale.

Burnished gold pour with a large nitro-assisted creamy head, that left sheets of lace as it descended. Even as I take my last sip there's still some head in the glass. The aroma is somewhat subdued, as I have always find with this style (again largely due to the use of nitrogen, which seemingly blankets the beer), but some hops peak through the cream.

Smooth light malty taste is accompanied by a leafy citrus hopping that works very well. Pleasant caramel tones, blending with cream, and a splash of grapefruit to prevent things from becoming cloying. Extremely smooth mouthfeel absolutely nails it. With a cream ale its pretty hard to score a miss when its served through a nitro tap, but DDC have managed to coax this into an exceptionally smooth and luxurious texture.

Really, the cream ale category usually sucks, but Dieu du Ciel have pulled the rabbit out of the hat with this one. Its full, and lush with the sort of insane drinkability that I love. Damn impressive!

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-22-2008 16:18:45 | More by bobsy

cbutova

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Notes from the brewpub last night. Another nitro tap.

A- Dark amber body into a 20oz oversized pint glass. An off-white head forms with about a finger of size and the expected great retention and creamy look from Nitro. Tons of lace everywhere.

S- Not a big aroma, had to search here but I got hints of cereal grain and caramel right away. Hops are fruity but not citrus bomb, something tropical and darker. Hop and malt balance.

T- Follows nose quite well. Good malts bring a cereal grain and caramel flavor that I find to be a pattern with DDC, reminds me nicely of homebrewing. Hops are mild (today's standard) in the end but I get pine, tropical fruit, floral and citrus zest notes.

MF- Silky nitrogenated mouthfeel, small bubbles but they are there and a thick overall feel. Mild bitterness coats the palate.

Reminds me of many ambers from the hops and malts. Shows that an IPA doesn't have to be all hops with complexity in both the malt and tasteful hop finish, a good bonus.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-21-2012 03:29:56 | More by cbutova

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.54/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Pours a slightly hazy copper colour, finger of soapy head with solid retention and nice sheeting lacing.

S - Fruity floral citrus hops, hints of bitter caramel and a sweet lemon iced tea finish.

T - The sweetness is incredibly well balanced with a solid dose of citrus hop bitterness, a creamy butter caramel malt backbone, and a fruity cotton candy finish.

M - Silky smooth, creamy and a touch of dryness on the finish.

O - My first nitro-infused hopped ale that basically blew my mind. Fruity hop profile with a mouthfeel that would keep you coming back to the trough all night. I'm so glad I had a chance to try this, and it was certainly one of the most memorable beers I've ever had.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-29-2013 03:07:50 | More by andrenaline

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Described as an "India Cream Ale'

A-Perfect of course. Perfect cream head above a purgatory of
bubbles and liquid above the actually body of the beer. Head lasts throughout. Laces in a heavenly fashion.

S-Very interesting. Very creamy and almost milky. Hops are stressed. Piney and citrusy but it smells like it was dipped in Tres Leches batter.

T-Creamy. The whole Tres Leches description still applies. The hops are herbal, medicinal and astringent. They don't meld too well with the creaminess but it is strangely enjoyable. Finishes fruity but bitter.

M-Like a big Cream Ale on the tongue. Mild carbonation. Super-smooth. CREAMY.

O/D-Well worth a try. Truly tastes like an 'India Cream Ale' the hops were a bit off-putting during some sips but this is a beer that should be sampled if available.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-23-2012 03:19:45 | More by VelvetExtract

kingcrowing

Vermont

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Nitro tap poured into a wine glass.

Pours a somewhat hazy amber with a super creamy small white head. Nose is a bit subdued and sweet.

Taste is bitter, hoppy and fresh but mellow from the nitro. Mouthfeel is super smooth and creamy with a sharp bright finish. Very drinkable.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-16-2011 22:30:49 | More by kingcrowing

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had at volo for DDC tap takeover.

Reddish copper colour, white head that settles to a ring of white head, some lacing. The smell is fairly bland at first, there is a light hoppy presence, citrus, some yesty scents come off of this as well. Taste is earthy and dry up front, some fruit, peach, light citrus in the finish, some yeast notes. Medium carbonation and very creamy, medium body with a pretty nice feel. At first I wasn't a fan of this but as it warmed it was actually quite nice but I thought it would have a little more hop to it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 12:25:15 | More by peensteen

SFLpunk

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

India Cream Ale on Nitro. 12oz pour at the DDC event at The Farmhouse Tap & Grill.

Beautiful appearance, with HUGE creamy thick white head a-top a deep golden yellow body that's crystal-clear.

Nose is somewhat floral and creamy.

Palate is rich and full from the nitro. Flavors of citrus hops mingle with notes of honey and dried grains. Mouthfeel is amazing...everything should be on nitro, especially IPA-type beers.

Thanks to Stephane and Luke for coming down and showing off their wares!

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-18-2011 05:19:14 | More by SFLpunk

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewpub - as the other reviews have noted, this is more of a hopped cream ale than an IPA, chalkboard at the pub calls it an India Cream Ale. Pours a lightish amber with glints of russet. The most creamy head sits on top throughout and leaves sheets (more like a down duvet) down the glass.

Nose is light bitterness, a hint of copper/metallic, clean grains, a touch of caramel.

Taste is so smooth it's ridiculous; you could drink this all night long. Smooth cream ale flavour, light caramel, a touch of citrus, a nice sweet body, a clean but not lasting bitter finish. Hoppy and yet cream ale all in one - delightful.

An easy drinking, delicious option for the discerning hop head.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-27-2009 00:54:32 | More by ritzkiss

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this at the brewpub yesterday.

Appearance: A joy to behold. A frothy and creamy head (1-2 fingers) with cascading dark orange/brown body (hard to tell in the lighting). Literally coats the glass all around and all the way down.

Smell: Oily hops with ripe fruit.

Taste: Lush mango mixed with cream ale. The flavor lingers with some pine and overripe fruit. Very flavorful.

Mouthfeel: Awesome balance of creamy and bitter. Could drink a pint of this or two easily.

Overall: The cream aspect slightly edges the IPA but this is an interesting and well done hybrid. A pleasure to drink and worth trying.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-22-2011 19:46:45 | More by papat444

CliffBrake

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer had a creamy fine head that lasts and matches the smooth mouth feel. The aroma is subdued and uninspiring. Luckily the taste is a nice balance of fruity hops and malt.

A very drinkable beer, but not my idea of any type of IPA. I don't know if India Cream Ale is a style - maybe just a cream ale? Anyway, a good session beer that is very tasty, but maybe not on par with the other offerings at the brew pub.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-28-2010 16:22:18 | More by CliffBrake

HopBacchus

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Cream IPA

Pours a surprisingly rich amber color with an ENORMOUS frothy white head, terrific lacing remains throughout the duration

Sweet malt, citrus and a faint trace of hops

WOW this is absolutely fantastic, smooth malts wash over my tongue very sweet, next comes fresh fruit, pine and more citrus finishes with a wet hop kick

Creamy with low carbonation, I could drink this for hours

A fantastic brew! I think the idea of a cream IPA is an excellent one that should be further explored this beer was fantastic its a must have if you make your way up to DDC.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-12-2011 17:42:40 | More by HopBacchus

ChiHophead13

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewpub in Montreal.

A - pours a bright copper color with a thick apricot head of cream. Lacing down the sides of the glass leave it coated, great retention.

S - this beer manages to smell creamy with soft citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit) and sweet caramel.

T - a nice dose of fruity hops you'd expect from a take on an American IPA. More floral than bitter with prominent tones of grapefruit and bubblegum. Very well-balanced with a rich, caramel malt backbone.

M - rich, velvety, creamy goodness. I don't miss the carbonation you would need to balance the IPA properties in this beer. If this were available regularly in Chicago I would drink this all the time.

O - as others have mentioned, this is an interesting take on a blended beer style that I think needs to be explored. The creaminess makes this beer a delight to drink.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-13-2011 23:19:02 | More by ChiHophead13