This Belgian pale ale from Quebec's Atlantic coast pours a burnished gold... or is it deep amber? I was at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa yesterday just before I bought it and had a good look at a lot of good looking gold. It's actually much more orange than gold is. Anyway, the froth and rim is sustained by some fairly active carbonation.
It smells of allspice and barley candy. The malt is cereal grainy with some apple notes and maybe even a tiny bit of cocoa. It is heavily leaned upon by anise and pepper spininess along with a good measure of black tea hoping giving a dry mouthfeel. Some serious questions from the few BAers who have had it but this may have more to do with the decision to transport the beer in growlers the 1,000 km from Gaspe to Gatineau and the resulting opportunities for bottle variation. Interesting to note, however, that four of the brewer's six beers get BAer approved grades of rate B+ or A- so that would not seem to be a general problem. Anyway, I like it plenty but would think anyone who is not into star anise might find it a bit hot. Good NCAA support fluid.