You think it is February. Nothing will surprise you in February when you are as many weeks from Yule as you are to spring. Month o' the rut. Then, you try a brew that you have never gotten around to trying and the world is all sunshine and love...or at least has one more good brew to tell folks about.
I really like this ale. Likes it, I do. 5.5% at a pretty basic price at the Beer Store. It is like a cross between a great Belgian witte and a great Canadian pale ale. A bit spicy, gingery orangey/lemony but also a big husky grainy profile as well. There is a yeast deposit that tastes decidedly spice-a-lee Belgian but a careful pour leaves the ale bright in the glass. The colour is more deep dark straw than amber - no red to my eye. The head stays around in a nice lively fine foam. It is the kind of beer you could smell for an hour, sticking half your face in the glass - you could if your wife or pals or children would not laugh at you for being a dork.
The brewery, Unibroue says of one of its lighter offering Raftman:
Launched in March 1995, Raftman is a beer with a coral sheen that is slightly robust. It contains 5.5 percent alcohol and combines the character of whisky malt with the smooth flavours of choice yeast. It has a subtle and exceptional bouquet that creates a persistent smooth feel. Raftman complements fish, smoked meat and spicy dishes. It is brewed to commemorate the legendary courage of the forest workers. These hard working men knew when to settle their differences and share their joie de vivre with a beer and a whisky.The brewer twice notes "smoked whisky malt" as a part of the mash but it is a pretty subtle smoke if it is there at all. Still, it is Big Joe Mufferaw ale. Ale for men in plaid. Beer for lumber bars like Fred's in Chapeau or the Silver Maple back of Shawville. Click on the photo for a plaidly scale version. The beer advocates do not go all rang-dang-do ever it but lots like it.
So far, tied best of the National Six-Packs along with St-Ambrose Pale. Two Quebecers leading the pack. Who knew?
Comments
myrick - February 10, 2005 1:08 pm
I've just added the beer blog banner to the new site, and have published a beer-related post It didn't seem beer blog worthy, but reprint if you like.
Alan - February 10, 2005 1:34 pm
I think that is an excellent entry for the beer and economics category. Why a hand-towel? What does that say about the culture?
Ben - February 13, 2005 10:16 pm
I picked up a six of Trois Pistoles last night and was reminded how much I like it. It's stronger than Raftman at %9 or %9.5 but I prefer the darkness and sweetness of it. Not a touch of bitterness and two bottles over the course of 2.5 hours was enough to leave me feeling full and happily content.
Alan - February 13, 2005 10:34 pm
It really is a national treasure that brewery. And value. Can you imagine being 19 and looking for a six to get you through a party? No one else would touch it and you would only drop twelve bucks.
Ben - February 13, 2005 11:48 pm
But oh the hangovers...
The sickest I've ever been from beer was not being careful with Unibroue stuff.
Alan - February 14, 2005 7:43 am
Well I was thinking a certain pace would have been involved too but I guess I am a long way from 19 and a party. I was thinking of mooch deterence. We used to buy the least appealing beers so no one would ask to have one. Usually that meant you had to buy double to take care of pals who will remain nameless. [You know who you are.] Ten Penny by Moosehead was often employed for this purpose.
myrick - February 16, 2005 7:41 pm
Unibroue are indeed a national treasure - though I really don't like to indulge in more than two bottles/glasses of their stronger fare. I'm fortunate enough to have found a vendor for their stuff over here. I'll send you something on that later today. Oh, apologies for the late reply, on the earlier question gender roles in Japan are still quite traditional when compared to (rest of) the West.