Schoune Malin Plaisir

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Bottle: First I have to say this ale is another one done with real fruit as opposed to "extracts". Using extract or real fruit is, in itself, a craft where the objective is BALANCE! ...Balance between the crafted malt beer used as a base and the fruit...to give harmony and compliment...this is another of the few beers that accomplish that.... ...Poured a clouded burnished copper-red in the ol’ tulip...decent cap that lasts and laces very well. Aroma primarily of raspberry but not too synthetic or perfumey...some light grain tones and an earthy mustiness. Bold use of malts and fruit in the spine, peppery mouth feel, permeating musty-fruity character. Up front this one could be mistaken for the many Unibroue ales, malty, spicey, semi sweet, musty...then the fruit kicks in and morphs the whole mouthfull into a rich musty fruit and bread cocktail..the finish is lush with a natural yeasty and symbiotic fruity sourness.....then a comforting warmness. A very nice fruit beer that melds the fruits with the ale. A hybrid between Uibroue ephimere and a solid lees ales.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Wow ! This is quite the interesting brew. Pours a dirty brown colour, which reminds me of coffee mixed with water. Indian red highlights. The head is a beauty, off-white, creamy-bubbly, decent retention and leaves smudgy lacing. Looks pretty carbonated. A 2mm layer stays above the brew. The nose is a mix of raspberry and nutty malt. Very smooth and medium-bodied. The flavours are fruity with some berries, but has a nice touch of chocolat malts and nuts. Alcohol is well-hidden. Not really sweet and far away from being a fruit beer that seems a cooler. A very unique and recommended brew.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Bottle: Poured a deep reddish/brown color ale with a medium head with very little retention. Aroma of syrupy field berry is more or less enjoyable and doesn’t match very well with the malt. The field berries also dominate taste, which seems to come out of concentrated syrup, which I don’t really understand with the availability of fresh berries in the summertime near the brewery. I also don’t dig the strong malt mix and the high-level of alcohol with fruit beers. Definitely not something that I’m looking forward to drinking again.