Saturday, January 22, 2011

Beer Review: Bayou Teche Brewing Biere Noel


I love seasonal beers. To me they're the perfect reminder of the season that's coming. For example when you start seeing those pumpkin beers start to come in around September you know fall is right around the corner. Not only are seasonal beers great for friendly seasonal reminders but they also present the chance for a brewery to really express themselves in ways their regular lineups sometimes can't.

Last night I was fortunate enough to receive a sample of Bayou Teche's Biere Noel which will be a winter seasonal released next year. Aged in oak barrels and spiked with Cherry Bounce which is a Cajun liquor this beer is perfect for winter. It has a nice warming booziness for those cold, winter nights. Here is my review!

Brewery: Bayou Teche Brewing

Beer: Biere Noel

ABV: Unknown

Louisiana Availability: Seasonal Winter. Releases next year.

Price Range: Unknown

Appearance: This beer poured a wonderfully dark chocolate with a massive, rocky, tan head. Lacing was present throughout.

Smell: Nice boozy aroma with hints of chocolate, toffee and burnt sugar. Reminds me of the wonderful smell that comes from the Domino sugar plant in Arabi across the river from my house.

Taste: Huge chocolate and toffee sweetness in the front with hints of cherry from the Cherry Bounce. Finishes very dry. Nice flavors from the oak barrels balances out the Cherry Bounce. (Cajun liquor made with moonshine, cherries and cane sugar)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation. Very dry.

Overall: Wow. Great winter seasonal from Bayou Teche! Looking forward to being able to get this regularly next year!

Score: Photobucket 4.5 out of 5 Buddhas

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

PS Hey Bayou Teche! Releasing these beers in 22oz or 750ml bottles would be a great idea!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I got to try the Xmas beer at a beer and cheese tasting at St. James. I'm so glad they are putting this into production as it was by far my favorite beer that I tasted that night.

Sara said...

Hi there! I realize I'm a little late to the party, but I had to comment on the "Cherry Bounce" thing. My husband is from Wisconsin, and Cherry Bounce is kind of a Christmas tradition up there. You make it by soaking cherries in booze and sugar for a few months. I like it with bourbon, but then again, I like everything with bourbon.

Anyway, you can eat the cherries and drink the cherry-infused liquor. Either way, it's gonna get drunk out.

Also, that beer sounds fantastic. Your description of Biere Noel sounds like a 10th anniversary beer created by the O'Fallon brewery in O'Fallon, MO (about 20 miles outside of St. Louis, where I live). I was lucky enough to get a tour of this facility, and even before the beer was aged to perfection, it was probably the best beer that had ever made its way into my face. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Just thought I'd share. This is my first time reading your blog and I love it--just perfect for a slow morning at work. Have a good one!