La Chouffe
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
ABV: 8%
Presentation: 750ml green magnum & 330ml green bottle singles
Brewery: Brasserie d’Achouffe
Country: Belgium
KANPAI! w/ Jeff Werstiuk
This brewery is found in the Belgian region of Ardennes, a picturesque area of green mountains and fairy tale valleys, although to some known best unfortunately as the location where The Battle Of The Bulge took place during World War 2. The labels from the Achouffe Brewery are also easily recognizable with their trademark gnomes cavorting and residing on them. No small surprise about that little marketing tidbit when you discover that “Chouffe” means gnome in the local Walloon dialect. What started as a hobby of two brothers-in-law, the Achouffe Brewery has been producing tasty and accessible beers since 1982, although it’s been owned by the Duvel Moortgat brewery group since 2006.
With La Chouffe we have their flagship beer, it’s a golden yet higher alcohol ale, unfiltered and bottle conditioned which helps add extra flavour to the overall experience, most notably some subtle fruit and spice from that extra yeast presence left in the bottle, not to mention gentle additions of coriander and hops. What we have here is something that ends up as a big shiny gold happy face in your mouth, and chances are it’ll transfer externally and produce a smile on your own face too. Really, I don’t even like gnomes, yet La Chouffe somehow cheers me up every time. If you still need a bit more convincing from your own personal experience La Chouffe is now available in single 330 ml bottles, before you choose to upgrade with a 750 ml magnum of this gem.
It’s fine to imbibe La Chouffe at the temperature right out of the fridge, it’ll be clean with a bit of orange and faint grassy hops on the finish, however as it slowly warms far more character will present itself in the flavour. Ideally this is best served in a Belgian tulip glass (in fact when they’re available the Achouffe gift packs come with their own gnome logo tulip glass!), however a large snifter or oversized wine glass will do just fine, stemware is preferred for this style. Expect to possibly take 2 or 3 attempts to empty the bottle into the glassware, as you’ll be greeted by a billowing spongy white head that has exceptional retention, you might start wishing one of those gnomes on the label could lend you a pint-sized shovel to make your way through it. However try to leave about the last quarter inch/one centimetre left in the bottom of the bottle, that’s the yeast sediment from the bottle conditioning, and although it’s not harmful in any way (in fact it’s bursting with B vitamins!), it may detract from the overall flavour. Once it’s finally all in the glass, you’ll find a hazy golden ale, that still has quite a brilliant lustre for an ale that isn’t transparent. Now the aroma is somewhat mild, however you might notice some lemon and tangerine zest, and perhaps some wet green grassy hops, and even some spice. I’ll confess that the texture of La Chouffe is one of my favourite aspects, offering up a light and effervescent mouthfeel, nearly champagne-like with a dry quenching finish. The flavour does not disappoint either, starting off with light wheat grains, followed by something of an orange sweetness, coriander building to a finish blended with mild grassy hops and some spiciness, then some spice lingering in the aftertaste joined by a well masked alcohol warmth. Not too complex at first it seems but there’s enough goodness there to keep one coming back for more as this golden ale presents itself in several thin layers. In the end greater than the sum of its parts.
The subtle complexities of La Chouffe also come out and shine in attempts to pair it with food. It’s a definite winner to serve first with appetizers or hors d’oeuvres, and shines with cheeses, especially smoked, woody and hard cheeses. Even alone before the meal as an aperitif. Pairs well with white fish such as sole, tilapia, cod or monkfish, and will surprise you along with your next batch of fish ‘n chips (including the malt vinegar on the chips). Holds its own with anything from duck to old world sausages, and has enough backbone to compliment Cajun and Thai dishes that aren’t too overtly spicy. A fairly versatile strong golden Belgian ale, and the magnum bottle is a great option to bring along to dinner parties.
The next steps in the cooler:
From This Brewery:
McChouffe
N’Ice Chouffe
Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
In-Style:
Duvel
Don de Dieu - Unibroue
Delerium Tremens
Affligem Blond
Brooklyn Local 1 - Brooklyn Brewery
Lateral Steps:
Konig Ludwig Weiss
Erdinger Weissbier
Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse
For The Adventurous:
Deus
Malheur Brut
La Fin Du Monde - Unibroue
Le Merle - North Coast Brewing