Équinoxe Du Printemps - Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel

bamadog

Kentucky

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've been sitting on this bottle for about 2.5 years, so I figured it's about that time. Pretty pumped about drinking another one from this brewery - if it's anywhere nearly as good as the other one I've had from them, it should be far from disappointing. Review is from notes taken on 7/19/2012 and poured from the bottle to a snifter.

Appearance: Pour is a dark, caramel color -- reminds me of old rust, but not in a bad way or anything; starts with a one finger head that is a light tan in color, and it fades quickly to a nearly complete, yet uneven head; body is pretty murky, and there seems to be a few floaties around the edges bubbling around with what looks to be still solid carbonation; just a few strands of web-like lacing linger on the sides.

Smell: Lots of caramel malt, a touch of wood and some peat malt, and then a lot of sweet, sweet maple in there; for being just under 10% ABV, the alcohol is completely buried in there; not a ton going on here, but what there is, I'm in love with -- smells fantastic and it's making my mouth water.

Taste: Moment of truth -- this beer is fantastic, and I'm surprised that its average isn't higher. It tastes like candied maple and butterscotch with just a touch, and I mean, JUST a touch, of an earthy bitterness, perhaps a very light coffee ground like flavor that has a touch of acidity to it; alcohol, while invisible in the nose, is certainly present in the taste, but not overwhelmingly so, but more "right sized" - provides a decent burn and it helps balance out the sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Body is a tad over medium, approaching heavy; carbonation is solid, still bubbling and foamy and lively; gums and belly are left warm and tingly from the carbonation and warming alcohol; a thin and very sticky coating is left on the roof of the mouth, and the teeth feel a touch gritty; solid overall, and it really lets you know you're drinking something with some substance behind it.

Overall: I think it's great, and I hope this review and score helps bring up the average on it. Great flavors, and would make for a solid dessert on its own. Definitely a sipper, but hey, with everything going for it, I'll sip it all night.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 01:02:46 | More by bamadog

ADTaber

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-13-2013 23:41:17 | More by ADTaber

macrosmatic

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-12-2013 17:27:03 | More by macrosmatic

tastymug

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-11-2013 22:58:32 | More by tastymug

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

05-08-2013 07:43:24 | More by beernads

Auror

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

05-03-2013 17:02:53 | More by Auror

deonreds

New York

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

05-01-2013 06:20:27 | More by deonreds

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-29-2013 17:53:57 | More by rfgetz

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.99/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Pours a sediment-ridden cloudy sunset red color with a 1/2 inch of head

S: Lightly smoky malts, some woodiness, maple syrup, and a light fruitiness highlight the nose

T: Follows the nose. Very light smoke, woodiness, a light sweetness, maple syrup, and some fruitiness. Finishes with a dry sweetness

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation

O: A solid scotch ale with a nice mellow sweetness from the maple syrup. Nothing in your face, but it's decently complex and interesting. The 9.5% is nowhere to be found, and sneaks up on you. Not around for very long as it's only brewed once a year, so get some if you find it

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 01:59:52 | More by BEERMILER12

JakerLou

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

04-26-2013 21:19:10 | More by JakerLou

surfotog

California

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-26-2013 00:40:42 | More by surfotog

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This is something I've had before but didn't review. Glad to get a second chance!
Special thanks to ricochet173 for this.

Light, semi translucent root beer colored pour. Half finger light beige head. Lacing is decent.

Caramel, toffee, with some fresh baked cookies and some maple syrup. This reminds me of cornbread muffins we make warmed with maple syrup. Slightly buttery and decadent.

Caramel, toffee, maple syrup, brown sugar, light roasted coffee, burnt toast.

Light to medium body, slightly syrupy.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 23:04:20 | More by korguy123

MrTinnedPEach

Alberta (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

04-22-2013 01:43:25 | More by MrTinnedPEach

ToasterChef

Maine

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-19-2013 00:23:09 | More by ToasterChef

Whatup14

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-17-2013 14:11:10 | More by Whatup14

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed with Kim Lachance. Collaborative review.

Appearance: It has a nice merky orange/amber color to it. It has a nice deep beige head that dies down quite fast and leaves next to no lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of sweet dark fruit (raisins, blackberry), sweet toffee, some maple syrup.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some dark fruit, some maple/toffee sweetness, some grassy notes and a roasty bitterness

Mouthfeel: It has a low carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 02:48:30 | More by SebD

stunna

Maine

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

04-07-2013 00:01:44 | More by stunna

cfh64

Texas

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-06-2013 01:39:59 | More by cfh64

Jayhoop

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

04-03-2013 16:17:47 | More by Jayhoop

Greywulfken

New York

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

A: into a large snifter, brown beer with but a brief bubbly head (with a center-pour)

S: sweet maple and caramel malt, suggestions of dark booze

T: syrupy sweet malt forward - almost approaches an English barleywine, but has something vaguely peaty or smoky that cements it as a Scotch ale. Maple and toffee sugars dominate, accompanied by spice-like flavors that remind me of the winter holidays

M: coating, warming, smooth, slick, after-bite of spice and alcohol

O: a nice Scotch ale - I wasn't overly fond of the maple - maybe it made it too maple syrupy for me. I would have like some drier flavors in there (this would probably blossom if aged in whiskey barrels). A solid beer from a great Canadian brewery.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 20:21:37 | More by Greywulfken

juliendesrochers

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

03-25-2013 02:23:44 | More by juliendesrochers

nquigley16

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.3%

03-19-2013 20:38:25 | More by nquigley16

chickenm

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +2.3%

03-17-2013 00:07:53 | More by chickenm

NightINgale

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

03-16-2013 14:40:02 | More by NightINgale

DannyBaldoni

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +2.3%

03-15-2013 00:40:46 | More by DannyBaldoni