Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel

I think it says a lot for the American brewing industry, when a renowned Belgian brewery starts producing a beer that utilizes two styles of American hops. Brasserie d'Achouffe's Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel is a mouthful thats for sure (houblon is French for hop in case you are wondering). It also one hell of a tasty beer. You have to be intrigued when you see the letters I-P-A on a big bottle of Belgian beer, right? 

The back of the bottle reads:

"On its journey across the globe the little Chouffe wandered through beautiful hopfields. The overwhelming aroma of these little hop flowers such as Tomahawk, Amarillo and Saaz mesmerized him.

Back at home in the Ardennes he crafted a new recipe combining this dizzying array of hops with the depth and body of  his favorite style "Tripel". Thus, our little Chouffe's new inspiration Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel was born."

The HCDIT pours light, like a Belgian tripel would. Its hazy, yellowish gold with a big fluffy head that quickly fades to a thin lacy film at the top of the glass.

It smells grassy and slightly hay-like. It also has a spicy, sweet hop smell mixed with some Belgian yeastiness.

Taste is at first yeasty. It also has a sweetness mixed with hay and hops. Its definitely an odd combo, part tripel and part IPA. Its a good way to really describe this unique combo as the drinker will get something from both styles with every sip and smell. 

If you are not a Belgian beer drinker and you see IPA on this bottle, don't go thinking this is going to be akin to a Dogfish Head 60 Minute or something similar...its not! I've never really had anything like this before. Its a strong Belgian with lots of hops. You can't go wrong with this one or any others by the same brewers. 

Explore something new and pick up a bottle or try it on tap at the Great Lost Bear while its still available.

Beer Facts:

Name: Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel 

Style: Belgian IPA

Brewery: Brasserie d'Achouffe 

Location: Achouffe, Belgium

Container: 750 ml bottle

Malts: ?

Hops: Amarillo, Saaz & Tomahawk

ABV: 9%

IBU’s: ?

Pannepot 2006 (De Struise Brouwers)

Its St. Patrick's Day, that holy day for drinking beer. Since I am no longer young enough to get away with drinking my weight in Guinness or crappy green beer, I am turing this holiday into a day where I celebrate with some great beers (quality over quantity comes with age I guess).

Maybe its the luck of the Irish that I finally found a bottle of Pannepot. I've been poking around for it for awhile and really looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about. It gets ridiculously good ratings online and I am a sucker for a well brewed Belgian beer. Now I finally get the chance to drink a beer from the guys that may or may not be coming to Portland to share their wares. Any word on THAT yet? Lets move on...

This stuff pours nice and thick, it is 10% afterall. Its got a nice foamy head that is pretty tight. I love how the drips from the bottom of the bottle discolor the head and stay on top like a good shot of espresso. Wow, this smells good. Its got a nice sweet smell and definitely has the Belgian yeasty smell that distinguishes the abbey-type ales. Along with the sweetness, Pannepot smells a bit liked baked apples with cinnamon and cloves. Its been about 6-7 minutes and the head of this beer is still perfect! I hate to ruin it...

First taste is full of spice and lots of sweet dark dried fruits. This is a pretty powerful brew. Its instantly warming but the alcohol taste is masked well by lots and lots of malty sweetness. This is an amazingly smooth beer with quite a bit of complexity. It really is as good as everyone says it is. I am going to be hunting down their other beers for sure. This one was $6 at Oak Hill Beverage, in Scarborough, in case you've been on the look out.

Drinking this bottle of Pannepot makes me sad to think that De Struise may not make it to Portland to show off their brewing skills. Can we start some sort or protest of fundraiser or something?!?!

The label on the bottle reads:

"In the early 1900s, the village of De Panne, close to the French border, was famous for two things -- the ‘Pannepots,’ or fishing boats, that could be seen along the coast, and the unique dark ale enjoyed by the local fishermen. Our Old Fisherman’s Ale is a tribute to these hardy sailors and their rich, flavorful brew. Unfiltered. Unpasteurized. Bottle-conditioned."

BEER FACTS

Name: Pannepot Old Fisherman's Ale (2006 Vintage)

Style: Belgian Strong Ale (Quad)

Brewery: De Struise Brouwers

Location: Brewed by De Struise at Deca Brasserie in Woesten-Vleteren, Belgium

Container: 11.2 oz. bottle

Malts: LOTS

Hops: Bramling Cross, Hallertau

ABV: 10%

IBUs: 27

Q & A with Andreea (Brussels, Belgium)

Andreea lives in Brussels, Belgium. We are all slightly jealous of Andreea aren't we? That wonderful land of amazing beers, delicious food and an economy that continues to improve! Well, she's taken on quite a formidable challenge on her blog, one that is fitting of her residence as well. 

Her mission: 

"Belgian beers, one by one. We aim to try and review all the Belgian beers available. We know, a lifetime will probably not be enough..."

You have my support! If you need any help please let me know!

She was nice enough to answer a few questions about loving beer in the land of amazing and unique beers!

Thanks for your time Andreea!

Name: Andreea

Blog: www.belgian-beers.eu

(RHP) Where do you live and what are some of your favorite local places to get a beer?

(A) Brussels, Belgium. Must be the Poechenellekelder.  

(RHP) What made you decide to start a beer blog? 

(A) The simple variety of beers in Belgium and honestly, the challenge of going through all of them. Although that might be pretty much impossible in a lifetime. 

(RHP) Other than blogging, how else are you involved with your love of beer?

(A) Drinking it? 

(RHP) If you could visit one brewery, that you've never been to, which would it be? 

(A) The Vanhonsebrouck Brewery (Kasteel beer being one of the beers they brew) 

(RHP) What comes to mind when you think of Maine? 

(A) Snow.

Mc Chouffe (Brasserie d'Achouffe)

We may not be able to get Stone Arrogant Bastard, Bell's HopSlam or Berkshire Brewing Company Coffeehouse Porter here in Maine but thankfully we are able to get some of the best Belgian beers known to man. 

That being said, the little gnomes from the Brasserie d'Achouffe in Belgium really know how to brew some great beer! Mc Chouffe, "The Skotch from the Ardennes" is absolutely no exception. 

This Belgian brown ale has all the qualities that make Belgian beer both unique and ridiculously good. It has a nice earthy quality to it and a sweetness that goes perfect with the 8.5% abv it packs. Mc Chouffe also has a nice subtle spiciness and that familiar unique Belgian yeastiness. I really enjoy Belgian beers and this was definitely one of my all time favorites.

A big bottle of Mc Chouffe will cost you around $8-9. That is a small price to pay for such a great beer.  

Beer Facts:

Name: Mc Chouffe

Style: Belgian Brown Ale

Brewery: Brasserie d'Achouffe 

Location: Achouffe, Belgium

Container: 750 ml bottle

Malts: ?

Hops: ?

ABV: 8.5%

IBU’s: ?

Chouffe means gnome or dwarf in a Walloon dialect

Check out the Brasserie d'Achouffe website HERE!