Chouffe-Bok - Brasserie d'Achouffe

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased from the Brasserie Achouffe gift shop in Achouffe, Belgium. This beer was poured from a 750 ml capped bottle. The 6666 refers to the postal code in Achouffe and is advertised as being 6.66% ABV to match.

Sheeting lace from the billowing white head surrounds a nutty clear coppery brown body. Lovely aroma, rich caramel malt with a hint of noble hops and some faint apple in there too.

Malty, nutty, caramel...all the flavors you would expect from a traditional bock beer. But there is a touch of fruitiness (apple or pear, I assume from the yeast) and a persistent twinge of noble hops throughout. Just a bit smoky too. A bit sticky in the finish but ultimately very drinkable, very well-balanced and very tasty. I finished the whole thing with little effort over the course of an hour. Brilliant stuff. According to the website, it's brewed for the Dutch market but get some if you can.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2009 18:59:01 | More by ViveLaChouffe

safaricook

Netherlands

3/5  rDev -21.3%

05-11-2013 16:11:59 | More by safaricook

Redteketed

Netherlands

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

03-09-2013 22:50:17 | More by Redteketed

uturn

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

01-16-2013 02:22:05 | More by uturn

Arno

2.58/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

appearance: Brown / Amber with an off-white head. Not much retention.

smell: Burnt malts, slightly caramel, but mostly sour yeast.

taste: Actually pretty much how it smells. It's sadly not a rich full flavor beer, but quite watery tending on the sour (yeast) side. Lacks depth.

mouthfeel: Refreshing with quite a carbonation kick - which is the best part of this beer: just refreshing.

overall: Nothing special. Won't drink it again probably.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 20:50:10 | More by Arno

vollie

Netherlands

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

12-18-2012 11:22:29 | More by vollie

Cozzatoad

Italy

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle

A- Very dark brown, almost black, but with some reddish hints if seen through light. Light brown head, not big but nicely persistent. Good lacing

S- Sweet malts: notes of caramel, molasses plus some background dark fruit hints. Also a slight spiciness. On the back of things, a slight herbal note to bring a bit of a refreshing touch. Warming and inviting

T- Sweet as the smell suggested. A bit of yeasty 'earthyness' if that may be the right word and sweet dominant notes of caramel, toffee, maybe liquorice. Maybe some light dark fruit notes, though even weaker than in the aroma. Very sweet but not cloyingly so, thanks to a slightly herbal, dry finish

M- Medium body, carbonation is a bit above average and brings some life. Overall, creamy and soft but still lively, expecially on the palate. Dry finish and aftertaste as mentioned

O- Not a super flavourful beer, but sure nicely balanced and highly drinkable despite it's preminent sweet character. Plus, warming as a winter beer should be, showing that warming does not mean 8% or more ABV

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 21:52:21 | More by Cozzatoad

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.7/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

21st Oct 2012: Cafe De Grendelpoort in Valkenburg, on-tap, along with a host of others in a 'Bok Fest'.

Pours a dark brown colour which isn't mirky but it isn't clear either. On top a thin layer of white foam.

The aroma was of over roasted malty molasses and yeastiness.

The yeast and sweetness from the molasses carried on into the taste nicely. There was also a distinct liquorice finish to this brew, so much so I had to have another to make sure!

Very pleasant and tasty, body strength good and well carbonated.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2012 11:42:43 | More by BlackHaddock

supermeniscus

Netherlands

4/5  rDev +5%

10-13-2012 19:20:31 | More by supermeniscus

Damburger

Netherlands

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

10-12-2012 09:00:09 | More by Damburger

smi

New York

3/5  rDev -21.3%

04-06-2012 22:54:55 | More by smi

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

02-11-2012 10:30:49 | More by ygtbsm94

Robje

Australia

4/5  rDev +5%

01-10-2012 00:48:09 | More by Robje

stevoj

Germany

3/5  rDev -21.3%

12-15-2011 19:56:09 | More by stevoj

rekel

Netherlands

4/5  rDev +5%

11-28-2011 21:45:55 | More by rekel

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +5%

11-25-2011 13:48:21 | More by Rochefort10nh

Mar02x

Netherlands

2.98/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this beer on the birthday of my brother in law yesterday evening (11-11-2011). I am expecting a lot of it.

A - Like a bock beer, brown and not a lot of foam.

S - A combined smell of yeast, alcohol and malts.

T - A good taste of La Chouffe yeast, some sweetness, malts and that is about it. There is not taste evolution whatsoever.

M - A low to medium carbonation and a light bitter finish.

O - Not a special brew not to bad either.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 04:54:07 | More by Mar02x

Filosoof

Netherlands

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This chessnut brown beer is a good drinkable one. No real faults, but also not much to become wild from.

L: chessnut, quite light for a Bok; vanilla looking, lasting top;
S: the weakest part of the beer; a strong smell of burnt rubber plus some malt;
T: not much to mention, but I am so fed up with liquorice that I was glad not to find it in this beer;
M: nice;
O: I will probably drink this one more often, though it is not very special; it is nice and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 20:50:35 | More by Filosoof

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark golden orange, almost brown color with golden orange hues and a one finger frothy head.  Decent retention slowly fading into a lasting ring.  Sporadic spots and streaks of lace left behind.  

Sweet malty aroma with hints of caramel, toffee, biscuit and peppery spice.  Slight dark fruit presence but the dark malt and zesty spice notes dominate the nose.

Medium bodied but on the lighter end with subtle spice, dark fruit and a promient malt character.  Hints ofnpepper, clove and coriander along with some caramel, toffee and biscuit.  Sweet notes of raisin, chocolate and plum.  

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 00:49:27 | More by corby112

dgilks

Australia

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

Clear, deep amber colour with a small tan head. Fair lacing.

Bready melanoidins combine with spicy, clove notes to provide an enticing aroma. Mild tropical fruits add interest.

Delicious, sweet, malty flavour with lots of punch. Good spiciness and nice fruit. Well balanced.

Medium-light body with moderately-high carbonation. Good.

A solid Belgian ale and a delicious beer. I'd have another.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 07:47:53 | More by dgilks

eric5bellies

Australia

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank from my Duvel Tulip glass

A - Pours a clear amber colour with a very nice ruby tinge to it. Nice tight Ivory coloured head that reduces to a film that retains well.

S - Not much in the way of aromas except some small Malt.

T - Nice honey like flavours that have some vanilla and chocolate present, maybe a littel herbal notes as well.Very well balanced indeed.

M - Nice creamy brew that is medium bodied with minimal carbonation

D - Well what a great drop again from this brewery. This is a little different than your average Belgian beer and well worth a try

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 16:09:31 | More by eric5bellies

xylophonica

Australia

4.6/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 75cl bottle into a tulip.

A - Dark, ruby-tinged colour. Big, pillowy head. Carbonation bubbles a-plenty. Lacing is excellent.

S - Malt & caramel. Some phenols, herbs & a touch of cheese.

T - First reaction is that it tastes just like a bock. A bit darker in flavour than I'd expected from the smell. Burnt chocolate initially with a slightly bitter undertone. Tart berries with a bit of pepper and sweet cheese. Some other herbs and a soothing honey flavour coming through as it warms.

M - Smooth and creamy but with enough of a flavour to coat the mouth and leave a pleasant malty aftertaste.

D - A nice darker beer but one that's also surprisingly refreshing. Very easy to drink...

I know I'm guilty of loving this brewery...
But when they keep making beers like this how could you blame me?!
Probably not a true bock in the German tradition but even as a dark ale it's a damn fine drink. The slightly herbal feel I get from this beer seems to be a characteristic common to all beers from this brewery. You can almost tell it's from La Chouffe just from that first sip. Without getting too metaphorical you could say this is like the blonde ale taking a walk through a dark forest while wearing a trenchcoat! Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 08:55:17 | More by xylophonica

RuudJH

Netherlands

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

La Chouffe Bok, bottle 75 cl, 6.66 % abv, as stated on the bottle (nice touch).
It has a very clean taste overall.
Dark chestnut brown colour, with a good creamcolour head. Clear with good carbonation.

Smell is of dark fruits, malts, caramel and spice.
Taste is slightly bitter, with a spicy bite afterwards.
Refreshing with the carbonation.

Should of course be regarded as a bokbier: traditional fall beer in the Lowlands (Netherlands, Belgium, and also Germany) region.
And a very nice one it is. Chouffe from the Ardenne I guess uses very clean water, and the results are allways more than ok, accordingly.
Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 12:09:15 | More by RuudJH

rvdoorn

Netherlands

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this beer in the Vlaamsche Reus in Wageningen.

Poured into an original Chouffe glass. The beer pours a dark brown amber color, with a nice thick white-colored head.

Smell: Strong yeast (bread, grass), spicy and fruity hops, grains and caramel malts

Taste: sweet malts (caramel), some fruity hops, nutty, and some dark fruits. Finish is a bit peppery and bitter malty.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied and medium carbonation

Overall: I have to say I already had quite some beers before tasting this one. Maybe I could not correctly identify all the flavors anymore. But anyhow, a nice sweet-bitter beer, but not my favorite bok beer by far. Still nice to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2009 20:16:30 | More by rvdoorn

ggaughan

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle picked up at the brewery store from a Sep 2008 visit with my brother.

The beer poured a brilliantly clear, off white head, massive and fluffy. The aroma was slightly citrus and a nice malt tone as well. The taste is very pleasing. Nice toasted character and some caramel notes and also a good bitterness on the tongue. Definitely worth picking up if you can find.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 20:01:57 | More by ggaughan