This is Dark Star’s tribute to La Chouffe and they’ve done themselves proud with this mix of Belgian yeast and American hops.
Belgian IPA is a glowing golden beer with a light head and a smell that’s resinous and sweet and tinged with yeasty goodness.
Taking a mouthful the initial and rather powerful flavour was bruised apple cores, the malts are drenched in toffee and a little popcorn but it’s all just a background to the large and rather lovely orchard richness that takes over your senses and refuses to leave you alone.
The hops are sharp and zesty, defiantly American against the big round fruity Belgian body.
Sharp lemon rind and grapefruit juice, some sherbet fizz and a super sappy pith.
The finish is pine rich, long and dry.
The gnomes would be proud.