Smuttynose Smuttlab Biere De’Shire
The first beer that I had from Smuttynose’s Smuttlab line of limited beers wasn’t what I would call stellar. There was definitely something off going on within that winter ale. Thankfully, this bottle of Biere De’Shire was contamination-free and pretty darn tasty.
Weighing in at 9.1% ABV, this Belgian-style saison is brewed with a French saison yeast and Brettanomyces. The result is a funky, earthy brew with a bit of a champagne-like dryness that I thoroughly enjoyed. Bier De’Shire is a bit big fro its britches in terms of the alcohol, leaving a warming glow in the chest after sip. That, however, didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the beer.
Appearance
A persistent stack of light beige foam rests solidly atop a rich amber brew.
Aroma
Yeast, subtle banana, distant spices, herbacious notes, stone fruit and a touch of wild funk all linger playfully in the nose.
Taste
A champagne-like dryness presents itself almost immediately after the first sip and sticks around for a good long while throughout the experience. It mingles wonderfully with an earthy funk. Spices, yeast, grain, a twinge of Bretty tartness and a light bit of honey also present themselves. Lightly crisp with a light sweetness, Biere De’Shire has a long lasting finish with a tingle of peppery bite and warming alcohol.
Overall
I can dig this beer. It’s earthy with plenty of yeast and grain. The addition of the Brettanomyces makes for a increased amount of funk and a touch of wild tartness that mingles nicely with the Fresh saison yeast. I’d like to get another bottle of Biere De’Shire and see how it cellars.
Rating: 3.75/5
