Hoppy Beer-A-Days


Brewery and Country of Origin: Frampton Brasse of 430, Rang 5E, Frampton, Quebec, G0R 1M0, Canada

Date Reviewed: 12-02-14

In French, the name of this Quebecois beer means "Autumn Night." And as you all know, we're still in the fall season, even though Buffalo recently received over 7 feet of lake effect snow, and cold weather records have already been broken. Yes, the best season of the year (in our humble opinion) is actually even better than many think because despite the fact that Black Friday represents the official start to the Holiday Season, 21 days of the 25 days of Christmas lie officially within the realm of the fall season (at least on the calendar). And that means that the majority of the advent calendar has nothing to do with winter at all. Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, the Advent marks the season in which preparations are made for commemorating the birth of Jesus. In a more secular view, this means the unveiling of the Advent Calendar, a 24 day long time keeping device used to mark the days leading up to the anticipation of Christmas. In many western countries, the tradition includes little prizes hidden behind miniature doors built into the calendar. Most of the time, it is a form of a picture, poem, or excerpt describing the nativity of Jesus. In more modern times, the calendars have been made to include small presents such as chocolates, toys, and other gifts. With a great deal of inspiration derived from our friend Charles Rugg, the concept has been adapted by us this year in the form of the first ever "Annual Unquestionable Taste's 25 Days of Hoppy Beer-A-Days" advent "calendar." What it is basically is a way for us to try 25 new beers in a somewhat festive manner. But let's not forget that though classy Christmas jazz tunes are filling the corridors of our homes and offices, we shant forget about Autumn. Sure, thanksgiving is over and the leaves are no longer pretty, but that doesn't mean that you still can't enjoy the leftover pumpkin ale or Oktoberfest you've neglected to try still for whatever reason. Therefore, this calendar will also give us the opportunity to transition from the remainder of our fall beer stock (of which there is plenty), to the winter warmers and Christmas Ales on our to try list. Yesterday was the official start of the 2014 Calendar, which began with Adirondack's Bear Naked Ale.
Date Sampled: 7-18-14 At: 1221, Rene-Levesque Boulevard West, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1T1, Canada
Beer Style: Canadian Strong Brown Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 10.00%
Serving Type: Keg, 14 oz Snifter Glass
Rating: 4.01

Look

Nuit D'Automne Ale pours smoothly with a lower amount of carbonation action, generating a tall, thick, full inch high foam head with a good retention, a high, creamy like density, and a tan color. This beer shows off full lacing on the glass and is opaque in appearance with a black color, absolutely no shine or glow even in bright light, and no visible sediment or effervescent effect. This beer also has no settling of any sediment at the bottom of the glass.

Aroma

This brown ale gives off a strong sweet toffee and molasses dark, almost burnt roasted malty aroma that helps to enhance this beer's flavor. A hint of bitter espresso is noticeable. This is accompanied by some sweet banana fruit notes and some clove spice. There are also some licorice notes and a nutty undertone present. This beer's aroma does not contain any hoppy notes, but does include some alcohol tinge that does little to take away from this beer's experience.

Feel

This is a medium full bodied brew with a smooth overall feel with a moderate amount of crispness. This beer contains a below average amount of carbonation, has a full weight, and a high viscosity, making it a sipping, heavy to drink beer more suitable for the winter months. This beer finishes dull yet dry with a good amount of lingering warmth from an elevated alcohol content. Though this is a big beer, it feels somewhat lighter than comparable brews of the same style.

Taste

As indicated by the aroma, this beer delivers on the promise of a strong and sweet dark chocolate flavor with a full burnt roasted malty inflection. This is accompanied by a good presence of sweet caramel toffee and molasses combined with some black licorice and a hint of coriander spice. There are some yeast notes present along with a brown sugar and biscuity secondary as well as an nutty undertone. This beer finishes bitter with a dull linger, a slight alcohol tinge, and an overall malty aftertaste. There are no real hops detectable.

Our Take

Though this beer is called "Autumn Night" in French, that doesn't mean this beer isn't a good winter warmer, or at least a beer you'd like to have during the transition between fall and winter. With a hefty 10.00% ABV, this beer drinks pretty heavy and keeps you warm long after its gone. But that's not to say that this is an unforgiving leviathan. This is a very pleasant, well proportioned beer which offers some rich and robust malty flavors, and a slightly spice infused profile. This is a smooth beer best sipped rather than chugged, and served with hearty meats, sweet fruity desserts, and tangy cheeses like gorgonzola pasta dishes. This beer gives off a strong aromatic experience with a good deal of toffee and molasses with a bit of nutty spice, all of which is reminiscent of thanksgiving desserts. Technically, you could consider adding Christmas type desserts into the definition as well. This is a beer as big and flavorful as it is dark. This malty beer will satisfy anyone looking for a big beer with a bold malty presence without a severe alcohol bite, and relatively nothing on the hop front. And perhaps like a cold snowed in day, best enjoyed slowly.