N'Ice Chouffe - Brasserie d'Achouffe

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep brown color with a healthy and fluffy tan tinged head. Rich dark booze soaked fruits with spicy yeast and some medicinal undertones.

Medium body with a fluffy moutfeel, champagne like carbonation. Very rich and substantional flavor. Very interesting and unique. Very savory slightly peppery. Dark booze soaked fruits, soft caramel, a rich mineral like quality to the mouthfeel, a bit of booze, and slightly medicinal. Barely any alcohol heat. Very smooth and clean.

This beer is very good but begs to be paired with rich flavored foods. On it's own I probably wouldn't enjoy it but luckily i have some nice turkey stuffing and gravy to go with it. Very concise flavors, super complex, but in order for them all to work, this beer needs food.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 04:34:22 | More by jtierney89

brewsadedotcom

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased a bottle of this at South Hills Market District. Poured into a tulip...

A: Copper color. About 3 inches of toffee colored foamy head.

S: Faint alcohol aroma. Nothing jumps out.

T: Initially bitter, then sweet and somewhat pruney, finishes with a sour aftertaste.

M: Moderate to high carbonation. Very smooth. Alcohol content isn't readily apparent. This could sneak up on you.

O: Definitely an enjoyable brew. I'll need to add this into my Christmas beer rotation.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 00:47:32 | More by brewsadedotcom

Toddzillamz

3.4/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Break yourselves fools! Your favorite b-film star is back reviewing these brews to keep you in the know. I first off want to thank y'all for the fan mail. It means a lot to me, especially in these hardened times. I'm making the best of it though. Fighting the rats for stale crackers and smokin' prison shorts. The one thing I won't skimp on though is good beer! I'll scour the globe to find hidden hop gems, and bring back my findings to my crew (you people). I catch buzzes like Joey B catches Chlamydia. So, here we go into the time of year when the Christmas, or Holiday ales show their faces. Those heartwarmingly sweet little bastards that you wait all year for. Well, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Toss a log on the fire and cuddle up under the bear rug with a couple russian hunnies. We crackin' open some N'Ice Chouffe bitches!

A: Liquid rust with a sandy bottom. Like staring into a aquarium of dead fishes. You don't know what you're in store for. Oh snap, is something moving around down there?
S: Liquid dish soap. I tried to blow bubbles....not the monkey.
T: Not as good as the original...but, you gotta get that last pour. Was worth the wait....well, not really.
M: Very light off the back end. Almost feels like it's stealing my soul as I pull away from the glass. Bizarre.
O: There are handfuls of better Christmas ales out there. Ask Santa for a better gift.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 00:00:24 | More by Toddzillamz

wvsabbath

West Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving Type - 25.4 oz bottle

Appearance - Copper tan/dark brown, monster 4+ inch creamy head and tons of lacing.

Smell - Sweet dark fruits like rasin and plum. Spices, yeasty sugars, malts, nut.nice berry aromoa, cherry, grape, strawberry. A little bready note also.

Taste - Plenty of malts mixed with berries and sugars. Lots of plum and rasin. Spices like corriander, orange peel and such add complex flavoring. Mollasses mixed in with nutty malts, and also the classic toffe/caramel flavor. Plenty of alcohol in each sip.

Mouthfeel - Big beer, malts and sugars coat tounge. Spices give it even more flavor, along with balance. Palate gets more of the same flavors, along with some bready funk. Aftertaste is dry and malty.

Overall - A excellent holiday sipper. Complex flavors along wit balance make this a winner. Another holiday beer to add to my list to enjoy annually. Drink this for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 22:47:03 | More by wvsabbath

Serge

Alberta (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle. Poured reddish brown color with an average frothy head that lasted with good lacing. Complex dark fruit and yeasty aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture. Medium fruity sweet flavor with a medium sweet finish of long duration with a small alcohol bite. This is a good beer

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 21:16:01 | More by Serge

KajII

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

[Suggested Glassware: Trappist Glass]

The pour was a murky dark brown with a slight ruby hue and an almost average (1-2 finger) light brown creamy head that reduced slightly, but did last throughout producing excellent sheeting of lace.

The aroma was on the lighter side with a dark bread malt and a sweet doughy yeast and had notes of caramel and dark fruit (raisons, plums and figs).

The taste was very malty with a nice caramel sweetness from the onset, and then had a mildly sweet hint of dark fruit and a nice bold yeast presence towards the finish. The flavor lasted an average duration following the swallow with the creamy, fruity taste slowly fading into the background.

Mouthfeel was a few steps below medium in body and rather creamy in texture with a nice mellow carbonation.

Overall this was a smooth, creamy and easy to drink Strong Ale that does a great job of concealing the high ABV. Watch out this one, it could be dangerous...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 15:38:56 | More by KajII

nas5755

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2008
best by end of 2011 and I'm drinking it today 9-9-12

A- Nice pop on the cap. lots of light tan head, deep tan or a very dark brown sugar color. Lots of lacing for any beer regardless of age.

S- A light dose of belgian yeast, some candy sugars and a slight medicinal note.

T- Very nice. A slight medicinal flavor is present, some bitterness from the curacao is noticeable. Lots of dark candy sugar, fruits are the dominate flavor and the yeast is still present.

M- smooth, a nice hotness that reminds the drinker this is 10%, however it is no way a detractor from the flavor. The heat melds well with the beer. The carbonation is awesome, I would never-ever guess that this beer was brewed in 2008.

O- Very nice. Smooth, clean, oxidation was minimal. The carbonation was great, maybe even more pronounced then I would prefer and then I need to factor in the age of this beer. Damn. This could have sat in my cellar of a longer amount of time. I almost wish I had left it in there. Easily could have hit the 10 year mark.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 22:54:12 | More by nas5755

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into tulip. Pours a nice chestnut brown with thick bubble head. Nice belgian yeast aromas, some dried fruit, clove, and slight roasted aroma. Taste is of belgian yeast, dried fruit/fig/grape, and sweet spices.
Really good Belgian Dark from a great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 14:28:23 | More by DrinkSlurm

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, best by 2014. Pours hazy brick red color with a nice 2-3 finger foamy khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some slight spotty lacing on the glass, with a decent amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of big allspice, cinnamon, candi sugar, bread, molasses, date, citrus peel, raisin, cherry, pepper, earth, herbal, and yeast spices. Very nice and balanced aromas with good complexity. Taste of big cherry, raisin, cinnamon, earth, bread, pepper, clove, citrus rind, candi sugar, date, molasses, herbal, and yeast spices. Lingering notes of cinnamon, pepper, molasses, earth, cherry, nutmeg, candi sugar, raisin, date, herbal, and yeast spices on the finish for a while. Great flavor balance with spiciness; with nice complexity and no cloying sweetness. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with quite a slick and fairly creamy mouthfeel, which is nice. Alcohol is well hidden at 10% with only a small warming after the finish noticed. Overall this is a great Belgian holiday ale! Very nice flavor and aroma complexity; and very smooth to sip on for such a big beer. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 03:08:35 | More by superspak

Vixie

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage, poured into a Duvel glass

Pours a deep ruby red with a large tan head, and a lot of bubbles.

One of the strongest scented beers of this style I have experienced. Very spicy, and complex. I am not good at picking out exactly what I am smelling, but there is a lot of spice there, think of the smell of gingerbread cookies baking.

Sweet yet spicy. There is fruit, as well as brown sugar. coriander, and pepper, backed with the familiar taste of Belgian candy sugar. Very nice mix of flavors here.

Smooth as silk with a nice fullness.

I have to say, one of the best holiday beers I have tried. Very drinkable, the alcohol is very well hidden, just a touch of warming at the finish. I am drinking this in May, but on a chilly December night, I can't think of a better beer to try. Also quite good any time of year.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 01:55:46 | More by Vixie

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle from Knightly Spirits in Orlando. Also picked up a hiday D'Achouffe glass as well - score!

Poured into that winter D'Achouffe glass. It is rare that I'm able to drink a brew in a glass specifically designed for it - I'll certainly enjoy it!

Chestnut amber, opaque, full foamy head, good retention, great lacing.

Nose is terrific - spices, orange peel, cinnamon, Belgian yeast, coriander, caramel. Almost sherry like.

Great brew. A fine dark ale with a delightful hint of spices, and herbal hops. Surprisingly dry to the finish. Definitely a holiday feel to this - there is a subtle hint of banana and clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Nice body, strong carbonation.

Very strong brew from D'Achouffe- would love to have this on hand during the holidays!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 03:51:24 | More by JohnnyBarman

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 vintage

A - pours a deep reddish mahogany color at first. At the end of the bottle it pours more murky brown. Thick 3 fingers worth of froathy tan foam which eventually dissipates down to 1. Find of lacing on the glass. Excellent retention.

S - herbal notes are first evident. Quite a bit of mint. As the beer warms more bready and yeasty notes come forward along with the bright aroma of allspice and dark fruits creating an aroma reminiscent of cinnamon raisin bread.

T - lightly sweet notes of caramel and toffee up front. Hints of citus mid palate along with earthy herbal flavors and some berry fruit esters. A vauge note of lemon tea as well. As it warms the flavors become more bready and spice driven. The finish is dry with a touch of alcohol and some lingering spice flavors.

M - medium bodied. Carbonation is on the higher side. Creamy texture.

O - very nice beer. The time in the bottle seems to have worked well for it. This beer could have easily aged for longer. Plenty of carbonation and flavors still around.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 03:55:16 | More by Teleweizen2

jbertsch

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a Stella glass.
Amber brown in color, with an airy sudsy head that dissipates very quickly to nothing.

Aroma gives off caramelized, bready malt with fruitcake-like notes.

The taste reminds me a bit of Christmas oriented ales. Spicy malt with booze noticeable. A little candied sugar. Tartness present without it being too sour.

This is supposed to be brewed with thyme and orange peel. There’s a faint herbalness to it but I wouldn’t get the thyme if I didn’t know it was brewed with it. I can see the bittersweet, earthy note of orange peel in there. It’s not strong by any means, barely there, but there. A dry tartness lingers along with notes of tea.

Carbonation is above avg at first, but seems to dwindle fast as you sip this.

This was an OK offering. I enjoyed it but also wouldn’t see myself buying another. It paired well enough with a platter of cheese salami, honey, and hummus.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 16:41:27 | More by jbertsch

rand

California

4.13/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 750 mL bottle to d'Achouffe tulip glass

N'Ice Chouffe pours rich and viscous, cherry-apricot in color and completely opaque. It's highly carbonated and forms a fluffy, off-tan head that leaves lacing everywhere.

It smells of banana peel and orange and holiday spices, especially clove. Lots of sweet bread-y tones combine with ample alcohol to give this a definitive winter warmer essence. Some berry-like tones and maybe some licorice linger in the distance.

The rich, fruit aspects predominate the palate, but only so much, as layers of flavor reveal themselves upon each sip. Dextrin malts yield a cherry-like tone, which matches nicely with the caramelly sweet notes and fruity esters. There's a touch of licorice and butterscotch towards the back of the palate, after which the sweet and fruity overtones are broken up by the warming alcohol. Finishes sweet, but pleasantly so.

The entire experience is accentuated by a rich and chewy mouthfeel, supporting the palate's nuances and fruit-sweet aspects. Ample carbonation keeps the palate clean between sips, making this go down dangerously fast. One of my go-to brews of this style, a great brew to endure cold winter nights, or any time you're in the mood for a tasty sipper.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 07:53:09 | More by rand

Hornet2003

British Columbia (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Very dark pour with lots of hop flakes. Very carbonated head that dissipates like pop.

Smell: Belgian yeast and lots of candi sugar. Banana and clove with a touch of nice, wintery spiciness.

Taste: Sweet malt and great euro-flowery-hop flavour. Not too much hop bitterness but the Belgian banana/clove dark fruit flavours are great.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation and sweetness for a winter beer. Solid warming and bitterness (not too overstated). Very pleasant.

Overall: I'm liking the N'ice Chouffe. From the first time I had the McChouffe back in Amsterdam, this brewery has been a favourite. For an afternoon after a long weekend of skiing in Jasper, AB, this beer is a warm treat. I would definitely buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 18:22:28 | More by Hornet2003

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a chalice)

A- This beer pours a deep dense pecan brown body with a creamy tan foam head that is thick and sticks to the glass with each sip. There is a slow microcarbonation gliding to the surface.

S- The characteristic chouffe yeast esters come through with cider and apple butter notes and some husky dark toasted malt hints in the finish. As the beer opens, there are apple skin with a bright note in the finish and some citron, hand-of-Buddha perfumed qualities.

T- The dark toffee taste has some more apple butter flavors in the background with a touch of bitterness in the finish and a faint herbal note to the dry finish. There is a woody note that taste more like walnuts as it opens and some golden raisins flavor come through aswell.

M- The full medium-full mouthfeel is creamy with a tight fizz note and some warming alcohol heat in the finish.

O- The herbal and citrus blend has some interesting cidery flavors to it but it covers up a bit of the dark candy notes which are nice. As the beer opens up the flavors meld together more and more.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 15:27:29 | More by rhoadsrage

exodus1369

California

4.63/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great beer! I usually get a little shy around green bottles but I had to try it. Nice aroma of spice and dark fruit, a bit flat but I have read that this beer tends to do that after time. Has a wonderful taste of spices and those dark fruit notes really do come out. Nice and smooth finish leaves you wanting more.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 16:53:19 | More by exodus1369

SLeffler27

New York

4.18/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Rich, iridescent, dark ruby, this one is clear with an onn-white head that turns creamy as it slowly settles, never fully dissipating. The luscious head leaves a thick coating of lace.

A fruity mix of tart apple and cherry, followed by dark spices like clove and nutmeg. N’Ice Chouffe is earthy with wood notes, licorice, and white wine.

Malty but still fairly balanced for the style. The flavors compliment the nose adding raisins, dates, and some black tea. One will also find caramelized sugar. The finish is long, subtle, and sweet. This ale warms quite well.

A rich, full body with a velvety texture and ample carbonation. The alcohol is lightly warming. This one is quite viscous, almost syrupy.

Excellent for any occasion where a sipping beer is appropriate. N’Ice Chouffe hits on all levels and continuously presents new layers and characteristics. This sample came from a vintage 2008 bottle and was served in a La Chouffe tulip glass.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 12:57:50 | More by SLeffler27

Arborescence

Finland

3.88/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Brownish, not a huge head, but it lasts for a while.

Aroma: Typical for Belgian Strong Ale, except for the spices (can't put my finger on them though).

Taste: Floral flavours mixed with the yeasty and strong Belgian Ale body. The alcohol is not overwhelming, but it's evident.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, noticeable carbonation.

Overall: This Belgian Christmas Ale is spiced with with thyme and curaçao. La Chouffe usually make pretty good stuff, even if nothing mind blowing. This one was enjoyable, I shared the 0.75l bottle with a friend. Nothing particularly memorable about it — the spices are not evident and it mostly just tastes like a decent Belgian Strong Ale — but certainly worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 01:49:35 | More by Arborescence

Mitchster

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

$13.99 for a 750ml bottle @ BevCo. Green bottle, capped, limited edition. 10.0% ABV. Brewed with malted barley, hops, thyme, dark candy sugar and dried orange peel.

Pours out to a hazy dark brown chestnut, forming a creamy light tan head with spritzy carbonation. The aroma is at first skunked (unfortunately). Why on earth do brewers use green or clear bottles? If you're going to do that, then wrap it in some type of protective paper. Beyond the skunk, there is a distant Belgian funk going on...a little farmhouse character on top of pineapple and mango and some requisite phenolics. The mouthfeel is crisp and deceptively light, lightened by the addition of the candi sugar. Taste begins with skunked hops, followed by a pleasant herbal yet firm bitterness, definite candi sugar, cloves, over-ripe bananas, and a lingering mettalic bitterness in the aftertaste. Somewhat similar to a Rochefort or St. Bernardus 10 but less syrupy and thick, less dark fruit. I honestly cannot taste thyme or orange peel. No fusels, no Brett, no perceptable alcohol flavor other than the peppery bitterness in the finish and the warming. Cleanly fermented.

If this were protected from being skunked, it might be a great beer. On tap, it might be a wonderful beer, but as is, it's a mediocre beer. Skunk is not something that I think the brewers would want or intend. I'm not inclined to buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 02:12:41 | More by Mitchster

metter98

New York

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is hazy brownish amber in color. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down but for the most part left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: The nose is sweet and has aromas of spices and notes of dark fruits.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell and also has some hints of oranges. Flavors of spices linger through the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and somewhat smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The spices add an interesting twist to the style and make it a good beer to sip.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 04:29:22 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours hazy reddish-brown with a half-finger foamy off-white head. The head on the beer dissipates quickly with some amount of retention and a very small amount of lacing on the glass.

S: The aroma of this beer is very sweet with hints of bitter orange and spices.

T: The beer's predominant taste is that of malts and spices though there are hints of dark berries and bitter orange - the spices are very noticeable in the finish.

M: Medium bodied and smooth with moderate carbonation.

O: Very enjoyable and the taste of alcohol is nicely hidden in this beer - a good beer to enjoy over the holiday/winter season and seems like it would pair nicely with traditional American Thansgiving & Christmas dinners.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 23:08:41 | More by dbrauneis

05Harley

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle # NI110803MN 31683
Best by late 2014

Purchased @ Julio's Liquors, Westborough, Mass

Price - $10.99/bomber

Pours amber brown in color with lots of fines in suspension. The sudsy white head forms close to a finger but fades too quick (sounds like a head on a soda as it disappears) leaving little to no lacing. Streams of tiny bubbles race to the top indicating a good amount of carbonation.

The nose is full of aroma first dominated with spices and dark fruit which is classic for a Belgian strong ale followed by caramel, yeast and wood.

A strong spicy flavor dominates the tastebuds followed by raisins, dark grapes, candy sugar and pepper in the finish keeping it from being too cloying. As the bomber comes to an end I'm picking up a faint metallic aftertaste which I'm not crazy about.

The mouthfeel seems somewhat thin with a medium body at best. A slite prickly feel from the carbonation and hops bite at the tongue leaving behind a musty dry finish.

Overall this was pretty good. I thought the alcohol was well hidden for 10%. Very winter like and well suited for a Christmas release.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 01:33:49 | More by 05Harley

nukem5

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a Nice brown color with a rich tan cap.

S: Aroma is of light carmel and tasty malts.

T: Great caramel flavor with toasty malts , nice cinnamon burst well balanced.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a light carbonation level.

O: Overall a well balanced beer with a great deal of flavors and definitly drink this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 01:40:11 | More by nukem5

RickS95

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage

It's an attractive beer, pouring a deep, rich, spicy looking brown. Lots of particles suspended in the liquid. The head is bright white providing great contrast with the beer, but lacks solid retention.

Strong dark fruits in the nose, really rich smelling. Very wine-like bouquet, but with a bit more fruitiness and a little malt backbone. As it warms, the thyme and orange scents are more noticeable. When it really warms, the curacao finally presents itself.

Taste is more dark fruits--raisins, figs and grapes. The funky Belgian yeast is present and wonderful. Some candy sugar as well. Alcohol is mildly present in the finish.

There's a lot of sweetness, but it's balanced nicely with some citrus acidity, a bit of hoppy bite, some heat from the alcohol and the malt. Despite the minimal head, there's plenty of carbonation to keep the finish slightly dryish. Full bodied.

Overall, I love this beer. No major flaws. Easy to drink. Hides the alcohol well. Wish it wasn't a seasonal beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 04:44:02 | More by RickS95