What do you think of when you hear 'The Champagne of Beers'? Miller High Life, right? There is a second beer out there that is called 'The Champagne of Beers', so do you wish to guess which is better? *Hint - it isn't the one that tastes like pee.*
Brouwerij Bosteels in Buggenhout, Belgium already makes two of my favorite beers in the world, Kwak and Triple Karmeliet. Now along comes one that they call a Champagne Beer or Biere Brut. What arrogance, what nerve to name your beer after the most famous style of wine in the world. But is there merit to their claim? First, the bottle is a 750 ml bottle shaped much like a champagne bottle. Second, they suggest that the beer be served quite cold (36 degreesish) and served in a champagne like flute. Third, lots of carbonation, but not the same. Whereas champagne bubbles are quite large and rapidy dissapate, DeuS' head is like meringue and persists...forever. And lastly, the price. This beer is priced quite high and the question would be is it worth the price?
The smell of the brew is quite complex. Malt, apple, cloves, citrus, ginger and a sourness that leads you to believe that this is going to be a sour Flemish broun ale. Another difference between champagne and the champagne of beers is the texture. Take a sip of champagne and the carbonation tickles your tongue with it's bubbly goodness. Deus is as smooth as silk, gliding, not dancing across your tongue. The sourness you smelled does not really manifest itself until the sip is gone. Bready goodness from the malts and yeast, sweet candy ginger, cloves, allspice and a bit of underlying fruit are all apparent. Also quite apparent is the 11.5%. Fire, to balance the sweetness. A truly magnificent beer, one of the top ten that I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. Champagne? Not really, more like a superb saison. $35 per bottle? Only you can say if DeuS is in your budget, but to me if is not really worth the price. For $10 less I can get the Mahleur Brut which is still at the very top of my favorite beers list.
Brouwerij Bosteels
Kerkstraat 92
Buggenhout 9255
Belgium
http://www.bestbelgianspecialbeers.be/main_eng.html
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