Tarry Suchong - BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes

ngeunit1

California

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Hazy copper-brown with a finger of frothy white head. Fades quickly.

S - Caramel malts, smoke, vanilla, tea, some fruits.

T - Sweet caramel malts, some citrus and other fruits, smoke, vanilla, herbal tea.

M - Medium bodied with mild carbonation. Smooth with a sweet and smokey finish.

D - Nice smoked beer. The smoke character is nice but could use a bit more carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 07:12:03 | More by ngeunit1

brentk56

North Carolina

2.53/5  rDev -32.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Despite an increasingly hard pour, I was barely able to rouse more than 1/2 inch of head to cap the amber colored liquid; speckles of lacing are left behind, however

Smell: Charred embers, band-aids and chamomile tea

Taste: Chamomile tea and ginger, with an increasingly sour, phenolic character that develops by mid-palate; band-aids galore in the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body and rather flat

Overall: Although I have enjoyed a number of beers from this brewery, this beer was not among them; perhaps I just got a bad example

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 17:24:02 | More by brentk56

brystmar

New York

3.45/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Stubby, swing-top bottle; batch number of 9C.

Mellow pour, barely any head. Smell begins sweet & fruity before smoke moves in and herb-y tea notes take over.

Flavor is much the same: fruity and mildly tart up front until the tea leaves grab hold of my taste buds. Finishes like drinking a glass of iced tea, though unfortunately I dislike tea. Much closer to the Sahti style than other smoked beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 03:21:04 | More by brystmar

Blanco

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer looks gorgeous as i pour from the mini-growler bottle into a piraat tulip glass. Nice orange/red color, with white head. Smells of brett funk with slight hints of vinegar and a hint of fruitiness. Taste is unlike anything I've ever had. There is some sort of spice I'm not entirely familiar with that is somewhat medicinal in quality. Tastes very much like a spicy saison mixed with flanders red and then spiked with smoke, which starts from disgusting to "out of place" to interesting the more I drink it. I can't say it tastes bad, but I can't say I love it either. it's just "different." A tannic quality seems to come through the more I drink it.

Well I guess the thing with BFM is that every beer is an experience and this is no different. I don't get into "weird" beers that much, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. One of those "glad I tried it" beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 02:31:20 | More by Blanco

Doppelbockulus

Florida

3.78/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Smells a bit yeasty with a malty banana scent, it's like a haystack with bananas on top.

Pours a rosy, slightly brown color, like a red penny, with light haze.

Fruitiness that leans more toward the dry side than the sweet side. Malt character is very light, tea is stronger in the flavor and is probably where the tart comes from. Flavor fits into the sour profile. There is a very light smoke flavor in the aftertaste.

Medium to low tingle, watery character with a slight tannin feel.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 02:18:53 | More by Doppelbockulus

tsauce2

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

P: 12 fl oz bottle in to 6 oz fluted taster glass

A: SRM is medium amber color. Some sediment noticable. Head is 1/2 in, off white, dissipates to line the rim of the glass. Medium/heavy carbonation. Light/medium lacing.

S: Medium smoke notes are noticable along with tea. Light malt and hop notes are noticable, a touch of sweetness also hits the nose.

T: Mild smokiness blends with a lightly tart/sour/funky characteristic. Tea is noticable and everything blends with no one characteristic standing out.

M: Contrasting sensations come from the tartness, which stimulates the palate, the smokiness, which tames the tartness, and the tea which helps to keep the palate fresh. This all creates a very appealing mouthfeel.

O: Quite interesting and delicately brewed beer. The balance of flavors was quite refreshing. Another quality beer from BFM. Will definitely seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 13:07:01 | More by tsauce2

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.6/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Batch C-9

Not much head, but some surface bubbles thst stuck around and lace nicely. Body is light red-brown.

Smell is nice. Some smoke and also plum.

Taste is a lot more sour than I anticipated, but not in a bad way. Not vinegary or anything, and it disappears as quickly as it appeared. I guess there's some smoke in here, certainly a bit of wood, but it doesn't beat you over the head with it.

Mouthfeel is good, but not amazing or anything.

This is decent and pretty refreshing. Leaves my mouth slightly sticky (though maybe I just didn't drink enough water today.) Definitely not worth the $8.50 I paid for it, but an interesting curiosity and the reusable flip-top bottle is neat.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 01:39:22 | More by zaphodchak

atis

Finland

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bottle from the brewery, 2011 edition

Pours dark amber with frothy, off-white head that slowly fades to patchy layer. Aroma is citric sourness with faint hints of smoke and tea, more smoke appears as the beer warms up.

Taste is mostly fruity tartness, later some farmyard character sets in. There are background notes of smoky malt that become more pronounced towards the finish. Hints of tea can be felt in the long lasting citric and slightly acidic aftertaste. Mouthfeel is smooth medium with low/medium carbonation.

A strange brew. Although I appreciate tart beer and I like smoked beers, I am not sure I liked this particular combination. Of course, in such situations I always consider the price and then my conclusion would be that it was not worth its price.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 19:06:41 | More by atis

clayrock81

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light brown body with decent head on top of a somewhat tart aroma as well hints of sour fruits (really lemon/citric) and minor sweetness.
Here's my deal: I really like this beer, I just don't like how it is categorized (I had it on tap and the menu said a mix between sweet tea and a smoke beer) - I just don't really see it as a smoke beer. It has real dry, "meatiness" part to it on the backend, but I don't think sweet smoked beer is an approriate description. (Maybe the tap line was too chilled) - I pick up more sweetness than anything, as I find this beer to be smooth and creamy, and has some nice fruity tastes and also some citric snap and a touch of tartness and there's almost like a ginger-snap twang on the finish. I recommend anyone to try this at least once and see what you make of it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2011 20:12:16 | More by clayrock81

oline73

Maryland

2.75/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I had this on-tap at Max's, poured into a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy somewhat dark amber with a layer of off white head and decent retention.

Smell: My first thought is smokey ketchup. Smoke and some sweet malt. There is a fruity smell that reminds me of tomato.

Taste: Smokey with a tart note. I would like some more body to balance the smoke. The finish is smokey.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: The smell and taste were both a little bit off putting. I don't think I would have this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 02:04:30 | More by oline73

Beerenauslese

California

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Body is a hazy, translucent amber. Low head generation, dissipates to a fine ring and little lacing.

Smells of funk, smoked wood, and tea.

Taste follows the nose, definite smoke and tea in the finish. Has depth from malt and tea, and there is a bit of lemon. Has a dry spicy finish.

Body is light and carbonation is as well. Mainly a flattish mouthfeel.

This seems like a smoked tea iced tea. Not bad, but it is more about the tea than the beer. It is definitely an expression of multiculturalism--Swiss brewers using Chinese tea, but I would classify it in the novelty category. It is not something I'd drink regularly (especially at $10 for a 33 cl bottle, part of the cost of which is the unnecessary ceramic topper and cage), but I might reach for it to use in a creative food pairing.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 04:35:38 | More by Beerenauslese

mystikyle71

Indiana

4.45/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This beer looks a little cloudy but mostly like amber/brown, dirty water. Like a beer that has funk, smoke and tea ought to look.

S: I'm a sucker for beers with brilliant noses. I'm a sucker for this beer. The integration of the tea, smoke and vinegary sourness is so compelling!

T: The seemless blend of the three main, very unique, components of this beer (referenced in the 'S' portion of this review) continue to sing on the tongue. What a cool combo!

M: The mouthfeel her is pretty much what you'd expect, not that you've ever had a beer quite like this one. It is medium bodied, not too mouth puckering and just the right about of dryness on the finish from the tea.

O: This is a treat of a beer that is so complex, yet still elegant. The tart dry finish rounds out a very solid beer from one of the world's most innovative breweries.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 20:12:05 | More by mystikyle71

Viciousknishs

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- pours a murky amber color. Honestly it kinda looks like dirty dishwater. A good finger of tannish off white head crowns the beer. The retention isn't all that great and becomes a thin ring of bubbles. Some lacing.

S- starts off with caramel malt flavor at first. Transitions into herbal smoked tea aromas and estery fruity aromas of golden raisins and apple. Tart subtle aromas on the finish.

T- Rich maltiness and tart acidity up front with a touch of earthiness. Yeasty fruit flavor of golden apple and pineapple from the funky bits! Finishes with a big hebal tea flavor with a touch of pine. The smoke comes in on the aftertaste blending perfectly with the original flavors. The taste is the highlight of b.a.t.s

MF- let this one warm up. Colder temps seem to thin put the body. Slick smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and a fine soft carbonation.

D- very drinkable

overall a superb beer with a touch of smoke and a touch of sour... Tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2011 03:55:54 | More by Viciousknishs

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

33 cl flip top bottle.

It pours a dark, clear amber/cognac color with a frothy off-white head.

The smell is earthy with some fruity tartness and a hint of smoke. It is actually simpler than I expected.

The flavor is really nice. It has a fruity tartness and a huge tannic tea flavor. It is herbal and earthy but not more than it is fruity and malty. The smokiness is there, but much more subdued and in typical smoke beers and I would assume it is supposed to be that way.

Beers like this don't come around often, if it was an american brewer like Russian River or Bruery people would be going apeshit over it.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 01:58:53 | More by crossovert

lionchow

California

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours lightly hazy, medium amber color, with a thin white head.

Aroma is tartly sour, with a mild smokiness. There is a mild berry aroma, and a slightly metallic smell too. A very interesting aroma.

Flavor is mildly tart with a slight fruity sweetness. There is a mild farmy funk. The smoke is light and melds with the farmy quality very nicely, producing an interesting, unique flavor. I do wish there was a bit more smokiness in it.

Mouthfeel is nice from the tart dryness. It could use slightly more carbonation to add another point of interest.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 04:14:46 | More by lionchow

DaveHS

California

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours deep amber with tiny floating yeast particles and a thin ring of off white bubbles around the glass. Leaves light stringy lacing.

S-Rauchbier smokiness paired with a sourness reminiscent of an oud bruin. An interesting combination.

T/M-A mild smoked malt character runs parallel to delicate sweetness. A touch of light fruit acidity in the finish, which offsets the smokiness in a pleasant way. Thin bodied, with low carbonation.

D-Would prefer slightly more carbonation, but otherwise this is great. A weird little beer from my favorite Swiss brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 02:24:34 | More by DaveHS

wschmit

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Swing-top 33cL bottle into a Perfect Pint. Gave it a swirl to get some yeasties off the bottom--I like 'em.

A: Hazy, honey orange boddy with just a bit of carbonation, beneath a barely yellow head that settles pretty quickly, with some sheets of lacing left behind. Fairly pretty.

S: I get a faint rose scent on top of an otherwise pretty standard amber nose. Pretty good hopping, a bit malty. I drink a fair amount of tea, so I can identify that's what it is, but it's fairly perfume-like and floral--maybe just a touch smoky. Pleasant, if subtle.

T: The tea is more prominent in the taste, as is the smokiness--though still subdued. I'm drinking this at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, FYI. Slightly tart, with lemony hopping and a touch of bitterness to round it out. A smooth black tea flavor really does come out, to me; the smokiness is there, but nothing like a usual rauch or smoked beer. Not a good categorization, in my book.

M: Low carbonation complements the use of tea in this beer, but might not please many. A bit of yeasty chew.

D: Goes down very easily, like sun tea. An odd beer that may not appeal to most, and not cheap; however, I quite like it, and have long wanted to brew a beer just like this.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 04:59:32 | More by wschmit

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Picked up on a whim from Julio's and poured into my Clown Shoes pint glass.

A - Pours a very nice crystal clear amber with small bubbles lazily raising to the surface. There was a light one finger head that faded at normal rate to leave a thin white halo.

S - Not picking up any smoke at all. There is some nice malt sweetness typical of amber ales (which this is supposed to be). No tea qualities either.

T - Much like the nose there is that nice amber malty sweetness. There is a nice herbal quality but again not getting any smoke. The herbal aspect I imagine is the "tea" but truely if this beer label didnt say tea I'd have no clue about it.

M - Feels a little thin and watery. Low carbonation here.

D - This stuff is quite drinkable. Needs a better mouthfeel and the flavour and aroma can use some tweeking. Really dont think "smoked beer" when I drink this. Just a slightly twisted amber.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 05:36:53 | More by rudzud

petacutlasaurus

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another hit from BFM. Complex and subtle, the smoked tea elements aren't very strong. Eminently drinkable, kind of surprising. I feel like I could drink this for hours, chasing the tea flavor. Hard to pinpoint the taste outside of the tea influence. Darker brown, sweet, smokey. Can't wait to try this at another time.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 20:28:29 | More by petacutlasaurus

chinchill

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Distinct and unusual brew has an odd combination of smell and taste, and a mouthfeel that one would not predict from its looks or smell.

Surprising light mouthfeel, but a bit watery

S - yeasty and malty
T - light; malty and smokey

Generally, I am not a fan of smoked beers, but somehow this beer emerges with good drinkability.

Serving type: cask

10-17-2010 16:56:59 | More by chinchill

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

1.15/5  rDev -69.4%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

poured from bottle into dimpled glass mug, served around 50 degrees;

A - coal black with minimal, disappearing head

S - charcoal, burnt toast, coffee

T - honestly not sure how to describe this other than smokey and bitter

M - light and watery

D - none, couldn't even finish this one

this was like drinking alcohol and medicine from the bottom of a grill, NOT recommended

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2010 04:57:14 | More by B967ierhunter177

nickfl

Florida

3.7/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pour with one finger of off-white head with a slightly grayish tint to it. The body is a hazy, amber-brown color. The foam settles fairly quickly and leaves little lace.

S - A smoky, tea-like aroma with some funky acidic notes. Some dry caramel and toffee as well as a hint of earthy, musty licorice.

T - Some toasted malt and dry caramel up front. The caramel transforms in the middle to a tart berry note with some tannic qualities. Finishes somewhat tart with more dry toasted malt flavor and astringent, tea-like bitterness. Lingering biscuit and tea notes with a hint of smoke and bitterness.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - This beer is something very far from the norm. The smoke character is noticeable in the aroma, but not so strong in the flavor. The tea, on the other hand, is noticeable throughout, mostly in the form of bitterness and astringency. In the end I don't think that this is particularly drinkable or successful. It borders on being a sour beer, and while the funk is a nice touch in the aroma and it works fairly well with the smoke, the acidity does not work well with the tea characteristics and bitterness. It might be better with more sweetness to hold down the smoke and tea character and to help the malt come out more. It gets some points for creativity, but it isn't something I am inclined to drink again.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2010 05:12:32 | More by nickfl

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.08/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

BM me if you know if 'Tarry Suchong' is a person. And if so, who the hell is Tarry Suchong?

A – It pours a sort of peachy amber hue, with not so much foam; recedes to a wisp of froth and a ring of foam.

S – The first smell is strangely evocative of Heinz Ketchup: vinegar, tomato paste, spices, etc. After a while, the smoke becomes apparent, and some sense of a tea, or a tannic element.

T – Very unusual tasting beer. The flavors go: 1. Ketchup 2. smoke 3. something Belgian 4. tannic/tea on the finish 5. smoke lingers on the aftertaste. I wish I had some freedom fries to enjoy with this brew.

M – Pretty light bodied, which works well with the flavor profile.

D – I would drink this again; I would love to try it on tap. Very strange, and likely a fantastic pairing with comfort cuisine.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2010 23:21:35 | More by ktrillionaire

clickpush

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle poured to tulip glass. Ruby amber hued beer throws out a 2.5 finger tan head. Clear body w/ very few bubbles, slow lackadaisical carbonation, few and far between. Body is unexciting. On the other hand, the head has stuck to every inch of the glass that it's passed on. Sticky sticky head & lacing. Beautiful.

Nose is relatively unexciting, some buttery vanilla notes, nothing too strong. Something tart, under ripe pitted fruit. Can't say that there's anything too exciting about this one. Something that's scaring me away.

Flavor is interesting mix of sour lemonade meets smoked tea flavors. I have to say that I'm surprised that the smoked tea wasn't more prevalent in the aroma, but the flavor is full of a variety of flavors. I'm not sure that they all work together, but there is definitely some complexity of smoky flavors, wild yeast acidity, and tea bitterness. I enjoy drinking this beer for the uniqueness, but wouldn't recommend it more than once. Interesting but not a repeat buy. Mouthfeel is average and satisfyingly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2010 05:32:09 | More by clickpush

glid02

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cask at the Brick Store.

Pours a slightly hazy dark brown color with a large-bubbled off-white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells of black tea - earthy malts with mildly sweet herbal hops. I don't get any smokiness.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Dark malts go along with a distinct tea flavor - earthy and herbal hop flavors. The ending is decidedly dry and leaves herbal hop flavors lingering on the palate. As with the aroma I don't get any traditional smoky flavors.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a solid thickness with soft carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall this wasn't what I was expecting at all - by far the most tea-like beer I've ever had and with no smoke. Worth a shot.

Serving type: cask

01-23-2010 18:27:49 | More by glid02