Escousse

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

650ml bomber purchased @ Metro Joanette 3/8/06 Pours a dark clear mahogany with red highlights and a smallish cap that leaves after a few minutes typical for blackbier. Light subtle aromas of herbs, hay and roasted grain husks. Adequate black malt spine, medium-light bodied, slick fluid mouth feel, Sharp roasty herbal character Upfront the a light maltiness is quickly replaced by the dark roast cocoa-java tastes, some woodyness then the finish is where the perle hops get lightly bitter and blend with the roasted husk astringency to dry the whole thing up. Like a sharp dry pilsner with the roast cocoa-java bean tastes from dark patent malts. Next to German dunkels I like Schwarzbiers...this one from RJ is not only very close to style but one of the better ones I’ve tasted and certainly the best in Canada. If it was available to me locally I would prefer it to Kostritzer.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

For each bottle sold, royalties are donated to La Fondation de la Faune du Québec for the protection of species at risk. Pours a dark brown colour like cola, with red highlights, a big creamy tanned head, great retention and patchy lace. The nose is roasted with malt, some coffee and molasse. Very tiny active carbonation from the bottom of the glass. Smooth mouthfeel and medium body. This dark lager tastes not too bitter and not too sweet, with the roasted malt and mild hops. Lingering, unoffensive, aftertaste. A very good alternative to those who like stouts and porter, but find them too heavy to drink many. This one has great drinkabilty.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

An interesting beer, of a style that isn't brewed as much as I would like, from a brewery that doesn't get much expossure on this side of the American/Canadien border

660mL bottle, featuring a label with an otter on the front, chasing after his/her next aquatic meal. Also mentions something about the animal in question being endangered etc...

But onto the beer itself. This poured nicely, with a thick layer of tannish/light-brown foam. Tons of laving too.

A little shy with the aroma, of which it never really improved upon as the beer warmed up a bit.

The flavor-profile, too, seemed a little subdued and introverted. Definate toasty highlights in the malt-profile, with the certian bready/biscuity notes in the finish. Slighty coffee-ish too, I think. Nothing mind-blowing, by any means, but overall a tasty enough beer -- good for a change of pace.

If it seems that my comments are a little reserved, it's only becuase I'm not as knowledgable of the style as I would prefer. But from a strictly lay-man's point-of-view, this is an interesting and appealing beer, for sure.
//TB

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

This is my first schwarzbier so I don't have much to compare it too. Dark brew with a nice head. Roasted coffee taste. Light and very pleasant bitterness at the end. I would drink this again.