La 475 Blanche De Pratto - Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a light hazy yellow color ale with a large light white head with good retention and some good lacing. Aroma of coriander is dominant with some light wheat malt notes. Taste is also dominated by coriander with a smaller malt backbone then expected. Body is a bit light for style with good carbonation. Not bad but additional malt would have provided better enjoyment of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 02:31:55 | More by Phyl21ca

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Witbiers are the albinos of the beer genus - their complexion is ghastly pale, their colour bleached and pallid as last year's straw, except with an unusual neon phosphorescence that gives an apparent glow-in-the-dark quality. As result, they appear curious and exotic, like a prodigiously rare tropical fish. This one certainly fits the bill.

And, depending on the integrity of the brewer and the quality of the recipe, the smell of a witbier can be equally unusual. It's kind of a stinky smell actually, and rather distinguishing: such a high concentration of wheat malt, coriander seed and dried orange peels make for something extremely perfumy, spicy, lightly tart, herbal and zesty.

The flavour score, like all the others for that matter, could just as easily be upped another half point. A stiff, grainy wheat flavour is persistent and with it lingering notes of citrus juice and mellowed spices. The tastes of orange and pineapple juice pair wonderfully with hints of white pepper, honeysuckle, yeast and fresh-grated ginger.

I would have enjoyed more seasoning and less carbonation. The beer's gingery spice works wonders on the palate; unfortunately, its carbonation storms like a siege of blood-thirsty pirates. I haven't felt this much poking and prodding since my last physical. The bubbles have got to be toned down so that peppered citrus can be better appreciated.

Blanche de Pratto was brewed in celebration of the 475th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's discovery of Gaspé, Quebec. I'm not sure why they decided on a witbier - could it be that this style, which uses traditionally exotic ingredients that were imported from far lands, is somehow representative of cultural fusion? Or is it just that a style this flavourful and refreshing is perfectly suited to merry French-Canadian festivities? Either way, it works.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 23:10:36 | More by biegaman