Brewery: Unibroue, Chambly, Quebec, Canada
Beer: Blanche de Chambly
Serving: 12 oz twist-off bottle
Glassware: Unibroue tulip
Information: 5.0% ABV, 10 IBUs, 4 SRM, Best by 01-13-13
Style: Witbier
Price: $8.99 / 4-pack
Availability: Year-round
Cellaring: Not recommended for extended aging.
Pairings: “Citrusy but never bitter, this magnificently smooth ale is perfect with white fish or poultry. It also goes beautifully with buchette-type goat cheese, mussels, salads, and buttered asparagus. Blanche de Chambly is to beer what champagne is to wine. Mix it with orange juice for a delicious twist on mimosas at Sunday brunch.”
Appearance
Hazy old gold in color, Blanche de Chambly is crowned by a billowing white head with solid retention. Very little lace is left behind as the bubbles fade.
Smell
Behind a mildly tinny, earthy aroma, soft wheat and spice pulls through for an inviting wit smell. Coriander seed, wheat bread, and light ester notes of banana marry well.
Taste
A note of tart apple cider flavor comes through a bit before relinquishing to dry wheat with little malt interaction and a hint of coriander spice and lemongrass along the back end. Yeast esters stick to the nose as only slight earthy clay pops in on the finish.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light-bodied, soft wheat is very much foregone for a mild citrus zest on the finish that aids the bold carbonation in giving this beer a truly refreshing quality and even profile.
Overall
Decidedly earthy and light on the “Americanized” spice profile, Blanche de Chambly is well-balanced and much more akin to what the early examples of a true Belgian wit would have been. I find the heavy carbonation, while helping this beer in part, distracts from the otherwise desirable soft wheat profile.
Score: 80 / 100 - Very Good
Cheers,
-Andy
