Beer Review - Barbe Ruby

Brouwerij Verhaeghe Barbe Ruby Fruit Beer - 7.7% ABV

Here is a special treat for you to try from Brewery Verhaeghe in Vichte, Belgium.  Does this brewery sound familiar?  No?  What if I said Duchesse de Bourgogne?  Ring a bell?  Ah, those guys.  Any lover of Belgian sour beers has tried 'The Duchesse'.  This small, family owned and operated brewery (since 1885) in West Flanders produces some of the most intersting sours that we have ever tried, the Barbe Ruby is no exception.

The Ruby is actually 1of 4 on the 'Barbe' line of beers.  Barbe d'Or, Barbe Rouge and Barbe Black are included in the series, and even though we haven't tried any of them, after trying this gem we will surely seek them out.  Brouwerij Barbe d'Or was a medieval brewery in the old town of Leige and belonged to the family 'de Romsee', an ancient Liege family whose coat of arms adorns the logo of the 'Barbe' beers.



Barbe Ruby is a top fermenting beer and has an interesting opaque 'ruby' color
(duh).  The nose is of cherries and almonds, a bit sour but so darn interesting that we spent quite a bit of time passing the glass around so everyone could have a sniff.  The flavor is every bit as interesting with the sweet hitting you right at the front but with the fruit sliding right in behind, leaving a tartness lingering on your tongue.  Complex, complex, complex.  Take your time and sip this one, allowing the beer to rest on the tongue for a bit.  Highly recommended.

Banana Nut Beer Bread

Hey, what say we continue on with the beer/food/porn track?  Oops, forget the porn part (or not, just don't get anything in the cake). This easy to make holiday treat will be a hit with the beer geeks in your circle.

Ingredients:
1 - Butter Pecan cake mix
3 - eggs
1 - cup brown honey ale (or nut brown ale)
1/4 cup of melted butter
3 - large, very ripe bananas (lots of black showing on the skin), mashed
1 - package (3 oz.) instant banana pudding
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF
- Dump ALL of the ingredients into a large bowl
- Mix for about 3 minutes
- Pour igredients into 2 greased (or cooking spray) loaf pans.
- Bake in the oven for about 35 minutes or until knife inserted into the bread come out clean.  The bread will be slightly browned.
- Eat that shit