McChouffe - Brasserie d'Achouffe

kojevergas

California

3.33/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served on-draught into a .3L McChouffe goblet at a cafe in France. Reviewed from notes taken in Summer 2010.

A: Pours a 1.5 finger head of great cream and thickness, and good retention. Colour is a dark nontransparent brown.

Sm: Nuts, floral hops, caramel, and maybe even chocolate. It's hard to tell with my broken nose.

T: Layered subtle nutty notes, floral hops, chocolate notes, toffee, and caramelized malt lurking beneath the surface. Some underlying cream. Sadly, an unwelcome touch of alcohol hits just before the climax, exposing the poorly hidden booze (at 8%? come on...) Built well but imbalanced. Not all that complex.

Mf: Smooth enough to refresh, but coarse enough to coax out the flavour. Wet but not quite refreshing. Suits the flavours alright, but needs work.

Dr: High ABV is poorly concealed. Decently drinkable and of pretty good quality, but very pricey in France. The alcohol presence is a major issue here.

B-

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2012 01:24:07 | More by kojevergas

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Light beige head, moderate retention with sticky, clear lacing on a light brown almost tudor brown body. Aroma dominated by raisins and dates with a touch of fig and a touch of some brown sugar. Taste is very raisin like with nice caramel malts and some candi sugar, brown candi sugar if there is such a thing. Either way, classic Belgium and classic Chouffe. Way to drinkable and totally delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2012 05:53:50 | More by KickbacksSteve

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Congregation Ale House in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a clear honey brown with a foamy beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, slight smoke, and some fruity aromas. Taste is much the same with a mild level of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer and a nice Belgian take on a Scotch ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 04:43:53 | More by UCLABrewN84

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dark raisin brownish red in color. Poured with a short rich foam. Smooth, rich delicate feel. Lighter on the front end but the body grows as the light, lazy rich carbonation rolls through. Earthy dark fruit aromas with a hint of sweet dark malt. Dark fruit flavors up front and into the middle. Pleasant spicy hop bitterness at the middle that leads to sweet dark malt and chocolaty flavors to the end. Finishes with a tangy spicyness and lingering ripe dark fruity sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2012 18:24:23 | More by IronLover

nickfl

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - poured with one finger of light tan foam on a hazy, amber brown body. The head settles slowly and leaves decent lace.

S - dark brown sugar, toffee malt and a hint of spicy hops.

T - brown, malty flavors up front. Some fruity notes of cherry and plum in the middle and a finish of spicy hops and fruity, dark malt.

M - a medium-thick body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - petty good if a bit odd. The malt is a bit heavy for the yeast character but the spicy hops.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2012 03:26:25 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: half finger head on a hazy deep brown and maroon body. Thick lacing.

S: breads and yeast with caramel and syrup. Dark fruit notes include grape, raspberry and raisin. Light overall.

T: Fairly sweet overall. Caramel and chocolate malts with yeast up front with a rapid change to dark fruits which are more on the sweet than tart side. Plum, cherry make up the fruitiness.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: This one is almost too sweet ad lacks a little balance on that way. It's still good and overall drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2012 02:12:49 | More by kylehay2004

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Draft at the Pour House in Westmont, NJ.

Pours a dark chocolate brown color with a 1.5 finger beige head that slowly fades into a lastig ring.  Streaks of soapy lacing left behind.

Subtle roasted malt aroma with some zesty spice and dark fruit notes.  Slightly peppery with hints of chocolate, toast, caramel and nut.

Medium bodied with a nice balance of zesty spice, sweet malt and dark fruit.  Lots of peppery spice up front followed by sweet malt flavors, notably caramel and toffee before finishing with a prominent dark fruit presence.  Hints of plum, raisin, currant and other dark berries.  Subtle alcohol sweetness but not much heat.  Could use a stronger malt character to balance out swet fruits but still pretty good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2011 03:54:39 | More by corby112

GilGarp

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a large wine glass. On tap at Choice City in Fort Collins.

Mc Chouffe is a dark hazy brown color with thin head.

Aroma is mild and malty with a distinct and enjoyable yeast character.

Flavor is exceptional with great dried fruit and yeast esters. Raisins and figs with clove and a little pepper.

Mouthfeel is smooth but strong. Full bodied and nicely carbonated.

Overall a great beer, especially on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2011 22:01:33 | More by GilGarp

MadCat

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at the Taphouse on Queensway in Hampton, VA.

Appearance: Served in a chalice, it is a dark amber brown color, with 1 finger tan head, leaves considerable lacing

Smell: Very fruity, reminds me most of sweet grapes and cherries, with some good darker malts

Taste: Very sweet, I would almost consider it a desert beer. It is mostly sweet grapes and cherries, with a good helping of Belgian yeast funk. Very complex and enjoyable.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied, medium carbonation, very smooth texture

Overall: This was awesome. Had no idea this was even available on tap. Not cheap, but worth it. Will definitely look for in bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2011 02:26:46 | More by MadCat

dbmernin83

California

3.83/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark amber brown, bordering black, nice frothy head.
Dark fruits, sweet candy nose, a touch of booze.
Sweet, slighty medicinal, light alcohol. Silky smooth.
Very light on the mouth, making it that much more drinkable and dangerous.
A great Belgium strong dark. The light body makes it easier to drink and a little more approachable for beginners than some. All in all, a solid offering.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2011 23:42:52 | More by dbmernin83

robwestcott

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured cold from the tap at finch's a deep dark brown to a tall nonic-pint-like 13oz chouffe glass with a full finger near white head with good retention.

aroma of spice and banana.

super sweet, fruit, grapes and banana - followed by a bit of hot spice.

medium bodied, big carbonation, sweet, no bitter.

drinkable - one, maybe two. overall - great brew.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2011 02:00:49 | More by robwestcott

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Prime 16 into an Old English Oil tulip.

A: My glass arrives full to the brim with clear ruby-brown liquid that's alive with fine effervescence; the bubbles serve to sustain a finger of delicate tan head that shows great retention and leaves light lace. Attractive.

S: Deep, bready malt is front and center, with serious toastiness and some background yeast; dark fruits and spice lie underneath. Nice.

T: Decadent maltiness dominates throughout, but is nicely restrained by some drying yeast spice on the finish. Flavors of nuts, prunes, cake, bread, and toffee provide plenty of sweet intensity, only to be balanced by a clean bite of minerality and light alcohol. Excellent.

M: Fairly hefty medium body that explodes with prickly carbonation. A little over the top.

O: This was my first encounter with a Belgian Scotch Ale, but I had no fears - in my experience Brasserie D'Achouffe can do no wrong. While not quite as transcendent as Houblon Chouffe, this brew is quite tasty indeed. The Scottishness of the malt character was apparent, although the overall effect was decidedly skewed to the Belgian side of the continuum. I kind of hoped that they would have thrown some peat-smoked malt into the grain bill, but I suppose it turned out just fine as is. Well done, gnome.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2011 23:56:23 | More by woosterbill

drtth

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a tulip glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.

Appearance: As served the beer is a rich brown color tinged with a slight reddish tone. The ¼" head is light tan in color and recedes slowly but visibly. Sipping initially leaves scattered spots and speckles of lacing but eventually the head and lacing have gone well before the beer.

Smell: The aroma is fruity (dark fruits) with some traces of caramel and hints of chocolate and what may be something like coffee.

Taste: The rich complex flavors include some fruity sweetness (e.g., raisins, dates, figs) with some light spicyness blended with powdered cocoa or chocolate. This is very complex.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium bodied and soft with gentle carbonation. The finish is medium in length as the fruity sweetness eventually tapers off and the flavors end on a lightly bitter and dry note.

Overall and Drinkability: I thought the drinkability on this one quite good and I'd not hesitate to have a second, either right away or in the future. This is definitely a beer to drink with only a light chill. Over all I quite enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2011 00:43:52 | More by drtth

raszputini

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At the Thirsty Monk on tap. Pours a brownish amber with whitish head. Yeasty nose with notes of caramel, malt and alcohol. Taste is very complex and requires some sorting - belgian sugar, caramel, belgian yeast, toffee, candy, pilsner malts, saaz malts and light alcohol. Finishes clean. Nice scottish ale.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2011 00:15:04 | More by raszputini

cpmichael

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a tulip glass

A: Pours a light brown, with a medium head retention, light in color.

S: A sweet/spicy aroma that includes hints of malts, brown sugar, and dark fruits.

T: A sweet toffee characteristic comes through, followed by a nice presence of hops, very mild. Raisins are also noticeable towards the end.

M/D: Fairly carbonated, which works well for this beer. Easily drinkable, even with a higher percentage of alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 15:49:17 | More by cpmichael

david18

New York

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My previous review of this beer in a bottle:

---

I thought I was buying a LaChouffe, which is a Belgian Strong Pale. Once I got over the fact that I had it wrong, i really enjoyed this beer. It's very refreshing, especially for a strong dark. Good carbonation, good color, and not too hot with alcohol.

I would recommend but not over the LaChouffe.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 07-09-2009 20:50:56

---

I recently had a twelve ounce pour at the Amsterdam Ale House. There it was listed as a scottish style dark belgian (Hence the Mc). Not sure why. It basically tasted like a dark belgian. As per my review above, great for what it is but not my favorite style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2010 19:25:26 | More by david18

Halcyondays

California

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a dark brown with a firm off-white head, good lace.

S: Big dark fruit, plums and raisins, hint of smoke.

T: Delicious big fruit, with some cherries. Great dark malt flavour, with a hint of acid, I really like this beer.

M: Smooth and creamy, full-bodied.

D: A beer I've always loved, but for some reason I've never reviewed. The late legend Michael Jackson said Scotch Ale is an institution in Belgium, with Saison de Silly and this brew I can see why. The legendary Gordon Christmas beers are still out there, and I hope to try them someday. This is really good, D'Achouffe makes consistently amazing beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2010 22:27:06 | More by Halcyondays

atremains

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the sierra grille in northampton. Hazy golden brown with a small head that reduces to a ring and some clouds on the top. Smell is not particularly strong. Dark fruits and some bread. Taste is belgiany spices, some dark fruits plum and raisin with a metallic finish. Medium mouthfeel. Good drink nothing outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 05:02:13 | More by atremains

Travlr

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draught at the brewery.
A: Dark murky brown with a large light beige head and medium lacing.
S: Caramel, very subtle.
T: Malts dominate, but there is some light spice in the background.
M: Lighter body than expected.
D: A good beer overall, but resembles a thin version of the N'Ice.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2010 02:27:20 | More by Travlr

glid02

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Porter in Atlanta.

Pours a somewhat hazy brown color with a one-finger tan head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of mildly spicy caramel malts with good amounts of brown sugar and hints of pears and green apples. As it warms the spices come out even more in the nose.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Smooth but muted caramel malt flavors up front with a hint of toastiness are joined shortly by brown sugar and mild spices. Midway through the sip hints of pears and green apples come into play and carry through to a mildly bitter ending.

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

Drinkability is good. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall I thought this was a good beer that wasn't quite a BSDA but obviously wasn't a BSPA. Interesting, nicely done, and worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2009 23:25:38 | More by glid02

Stunner97

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance- a nice brown color with a medium to light white head,

Smell- slight spice, malts, raisins, brown sugar and overall candy smell

Taste- The overall flavor on this was good but a little bit one dimensional i felt with an average finish, overall mostly sweet malts, spice, bread, raisins, brown sugar

Mouthfeel- medium bodied with nice carbonated feel

Drinkability- This beer was okay but I have had many better of the style, was definitely a slow sipper and after one I wasn't even slightly tempted to go for another with many other nice beers on tap, just a little bland, not bad but just not amazing

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2009 07:10:58 | More by Stunner97

RobeyStreet

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A smooth and comforting dark Belgian ale. I had this while in Amsterdam at Cafe Belgique. I had this right after trying the La Chouffe (pale ale) which was less than impressive. I prefer dark ales as a whole and this one did not disappoint. I was just drinking it by itself but think it might go well with a nice beefy meal.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2009 21:30:09 | More by RobeyStreet

mynie

Indiana

4.7/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Fresh from the tap.

I've stopped writing redundant reviews based on different serving styles except for when there's a marked difference between them. McChouffe in a bottle is good. On tap, it's bonkers.

Dark chocolate brown. Pours an awful lot like Bernardus, actually. Nice beige head, thick and hazy.

Smells of biscuits, light alcohol, milk chocolate, Chips a'Hoy, smooth silk malts. Just a perfect strength, perfect balance blend of what a Belgian dark is supposed to be. Nails it.

Tastes damn close to as a good as it smells. Sort of a very pleasant mix between a Belgian Brown and a BSD. Fruit nodes are more apparent but overwhelmed by the sweet grain and chocolate complexities of the aroma, all backed up by a little kiss of alcoholic burn.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2009 03:01:02 | More by mynie

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11 ounce goblet - $9.75 at Taco Mac in Buford, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours an opaque, dark brown body with a thin wisp of white froth on top.

Smell: Aroma replete with plenty of fruitiness and lightly wafting alcohol and notes of spice, dark bread, dark candi sugar, and maybe even some syrup as well.

Taste: Dark brown breadiness sweetened with dark candi sugar and a firm caramel flavor. Fruity additions of black cherry cola, figs, and red currants. Earthy, herbal hops with a medium-low bitterness. Dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Light warming touches of alcohol. Renewed tastes of sweet breadiness, now with a touch of maple prior to the warming, semi-dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: A reasonably pleasant, enjoyable ale, and, though the alcohol isn't entirely hidden, it isn't ever glaring, making for a relatively easy-drinking brew. Paired well with the rockin' mid-90's tunes playing at Taco Mac.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2009 16:49:21 | More by ChainGangGuy

bonkers

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at High Street Grill. It was presented in a La Chouffe goblet, dark brown in appearance with a slight white head. The aroma was a bit sweet due to the malt, supposedly a Scotch ale hybrid I did not detect any peat aroma. It is some what sweet on the palate, coriander is also noticed. The beer is medium bodied and a bit of a sipper. Of the 4 beers I have had of this brewery this is my least favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2009 22:30:55 | More by bonkers