Éphémère (Apple) - Unibroue

Darkale

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Definitely did not expect to enjoy this beer, and really did enjoy it.

Immense, popping, fizzing white head with a fruity aroma full of apple and spice (to be expected, of course, given the ingredients). Cloudy gold body.

Brisk and sharp and slightly tart. Mouthfeel is crisp but also slick. Strange to taste apples in my beer, but the result is a very refreshing, very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2003 06:53:55 | More by Darkale

Realale

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy very light gold. Tight fizzy white head settles slowly to a very thin complete cap.

You can smell the tart crisp apples from a couple of feet away! Its very mouth-watering, but really over-powers everything else on the nose. With time, a slight hint of malt manages to poke through, but that's it.

Quite yeasty on the palate, and a bit dilute in the midpalate. The apple is there, but its nowhere near as strong as it is on the nose. Sort of like a watered down Fin du Monde with apple added. The apple does contribute tannic length (thanks MJR!), and the mouth-feel is all bottle-conditioned soft fine carbonation. An interesting beer, but not one I'm sure I'd have again (although I'm still burping apple the next morning, so in a way . . .).

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2003 05:41:11 | More by Realale

kelticblood

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +31.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was very excited about trying this offering from Unibroue.I had never seen it before or heard of it, and it sounded great from the bottles short description.Appearance was perfect with a monster head that erupted even with a soft pour, and left chunky white foam.The aroma was exquisite of apple juice.The colr was a hazy and cloudy gold.Bottle left sediment at the bottom.Mouthfeel was creamy with a rolling texture as with all of Unibroue's offerings.Bitterness is definately from green apples.Spiced with coriander and curacao.I think I could drink these all day.All the Unibroue's beers I've had are 8% and above ABV so this is quite a change.A natural green apple taste that does not taste fake.Spotty traces of lace left.Slight wheat after taste. A subtle lingering bitterness.Very refershing and highly drinkable.The reason the drinkability wasnt higher is that these can get a touch sweet after awhile.Even my girlfriend who hates beer was impressed with this and drank almost a half a bottle.

Note:I rarely give out 5's but IMO this deserved it.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2003 22:47:32 | More by kelticblood

mjohn27603

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750 ml bottle best before 5-1-05. Pours a hazy straw color in the glass. Head slowly builds to a mountain of white foam. Aroma is sweet floral scent with a bit of coriander. The first sip reveals a much drier beer than I had imagined. The apple juice doesn't add much sweetness. The taste is also far more subtle than you might think with a fruit beer. Very subdued appple flavor. The other thing that is quite noticeable about this beer is the mouthfeel. It is like soft water. Carbonation is not harsh and is silky on the tongue. I've got one for the cellar too.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2003 21:05:57 | More by mjohn27603

proc

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoyed this beer. It poured out to a chalky, cloudy, golden color in the glass. The aroma is excellent. Light apple and other fruit. The taste was quite good. The apple is done just right, not overbearing at all and combined with the spices made for a nice, summertime-style, treat. This beer actually reminded me of drinking champagne. Definetely worth a try. I'll be revisiting it before summer is over.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2003 09:27:45 | More by proc

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My assumption is that Ephemere 2002 is the same as Ephemere Pomme (Apple)......

Cloudy golden/orange pour with a huge head. Light fruity nose highlighted with apple, a hint of dried apricot and some spiciness. The taste to me was of less apple than the nose had suggested. In fact i would say it was somewhat light and creamy with a "bubblegum" finish. Not sweet at all but more subtle and refreshing. Not bad as an overall beer drinking experience.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2003 15:50:35 | More by Popsinc

Garin

Alberta (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured with a big frothy small-bubbled head that dropped to a half within a couple of minutes. The colour was a pale and cloudy yellow, and the carbonation was brisk.

As soon as the bottle opens, you can't help but smell the apples! It's very nice and refreshing. As you get closer, sweet candy or bubblegum, fruit, and a little yeast come up to your nose.

The flavour is a bit lemony, a bit appley, and quite refreshing. Some malty bready flavours build up as I get through the bottle, with a little bit of bitter yeast in there as well. The flavours aren't too complicated or deeply layered, but they are fresh, clean, and interesting.

In the mouth, it feels creamy, and the carbonation is pleasant but not overdone.

As usual, Unibroue has produced a solid, respectable beer. It's not their most complex or ground-breaking beer, but what is a run-of-the-mill beer for Unibroue could be considered a triumph for just about anyone else.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2003 18:52:10 | More by Garin

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Before anything else can be established about this seasonal fruit ale the aroma envelops you and the room as soon as the cork is popped, like a gleeful genie escaping its bottle (or the winsome nymph that graces the label). Sweet, tart nose of apple, hints of spice, intense at first but it mellows out soon enough. A light bubbly straw colour, chunky white foam head thanks to the bottle conditioning, although no real lacing to speak of. Taste of apple is predominant of course, like a fruit version of Blanche de Chambly, very smooth although mildly acidic due to the apple must presence. A very pleasing experience, although I could only handle one or two a year, which suits this as a seasonal just fine.
A bottle has already been put away to age a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2003 19:51:07 | More by IronDjinn

MAB

Alberta (Canada)

2.68/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Beer on lees with apple must
750ml bottle 5.5% abv

It sounds by the description on the label that this is the third incarnation of Ephemere and that the past and future versions may not involve apple must.
It poured with a tight but thin frothy head which quickly died down. It is fairly yellow, appropriately about the color of apple juice. It has the opaque character of all the Unibroue line with the signature yeast look and taste.
The apple flavor is quite understated but strengthens on the aftertaste. Slight cidery nose, but the taste didn't have the acidity I find in a real cider.
It lacks the alcohol and lively flavors of the better beers they produce, but it is drinkable. However, with this one, the large bottle is a bit much for one person.

edit (2010): It's been seven years. My opinion remains the same. I was given a bottle, so I drank it. I still wouldn't spend any of my own money on one, though.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2003 10:12:23 | More by MAB

francisweizen

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Notes: This beer is called Unibroue De Saison in Quebec City, QC when you can find it on tap. The tap handle is quite easy to spot as it is a huge, green transluscent apple:-) This sample was quaffed at Oncle Antoines in QC, possibly my favorite bar there. The appearance was dark gold with a nice fluffy, white head. The aromas were of strong apple scents, yeast, sugars, and other fruits as well as malts. The taste was very complex and yet very simple at the same time. This is a very well crafted beer. The mouthfeel was perfectly balanced and the drinkability was great as well. Another classic beer from Unibroue that is even better on tap than it is in the bottle (which is saying a whole lot!)
Cheers!
-F

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2003 12:22:19 | More by francisweizen

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy yellow-gold body that's topped by a frothy bright-white head that displays excellent retention and maintains a firm 1/2" cap throughout. Unfortunately, it leaves only minor spotty lace. The bouquet expresses an amazing aroma of fresh-picked Granny Smith apples. It's lightly sweet and tart (and yet there's no tartness in the flavor?) - very enticing! It's light bodied and crisp with a zest on the tongue. The flavor delivers much less than the aroma might lead you to believe, but it's still quite nice. Soft apple notes combine with some yeasty fruitiness atop a thin, well-attenuated and lightly sweet malt. It's quite delicate, and somewhat one-sided, but nice. It's very reminiscent of a light white wine. And although it does have a great drinkability in that it's light bodied and refreshing, I was left looking for something more.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2003 19:28:13 | More by NeroFiddled

the42ndtourist

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL bottle, of course.

Pours out a slightly pale gold colour, big head (it is Unibroue, after all), and fine carbonation. Oh how I love these big bottle conditioned beers. Nose brings some light apple scents which instantly fill the room as soon as the cork is pulled. These are acompanied by a slightly bready, yeasty note. Flavour: well, the short description on the bottle says "beer on lees with apple must". That's absolutely perfect description of the taste. This is apple, but soft and light - unlike Niagara's unique all-out apple attack. Must is evident, with yeast, bread flavours. Think clean laundry as it comes out of the dryer (w/o Bounce or similar sheets) but in a good way. Mouthfeel is classic bottle conditioned, light, energetic, happy. Drinkable? Yes! This is good beer. Can't wait for the Ephemere mixer pack to make it to Ontario (I know it's coming...).

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2003 08:56:43 | More by the42ndtourist

49degrees

British Columbia (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another very interesting brew from the Quebec based Unibroue company. New for 2002, the second in their (hopefully) ongoing series of different beers. Each year a new brew is released under the Ephémère name. This year's version is a "strong beer on lees with apple must." A very intriguing brew indeed.

Served in traditional 750ml corked bottle that gives a solid pop on opening. It pours extremely well and is reminiscent of their Blanche de Chambly wheat styled ale (moderately cloudy) albeit with a slightly more golden hue in the color. Head size starts huge, at roughly 2," slowly disappating to a solid, rich, white foamy head of about 1/6" height. Moderate amount of lacing is left on the goblet as I continue to drink.

Aroma is very interesting with a very pungent aroma of apples (Granny Smith??). Taste wise, this is a real winner. Don't let the concept of fruit in your beer scare you off. I've has several lambics in the past of which few truly excited me, however, this brew, complete with apple must is a great exception.

Bubbly, robust and very drinkable, Ephémère takes a page from the Blanche de Chambly book, adds a little fruity kick plus a warmth which makes this quite a smooth release.

This one won't be around for long, so if you're looking for a slight change of pace once in a while, this one should put a smile on your face.

Bon Chance!!

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2003 17:53:46 | More by 49degrees