Houblon CHOUFFE Belgian IPA - Brasserie d‘Achouffe Review
Belgian beers are so prevalent in our modern brewing culture that they are almost difficult to avoid. But the Belgian tradition sets a fantastic foundation for modern brewers to tweak and twist until they discover beers that are sour, light, malty, heavy, and hoppy. These styles make it possible to maximize flavors in all directions, and our beer this month helped start a phenomenon called the Belgian IPA.
A mix between Belgian tradition and modern hopping, it was a pleasant surprise to find this highly sought after Belgian IPA in the nick of time for our month dedicated to hoppy and heavy Belgian beers.
Houblon CHOUFFE from Brasserie d’Achouffe out of Belgium is labeled as the first Belgian IPA. And if you’re wondering about the name, CHOUFFE means nothing (seriously, look it up), but the owners liked the name. But Houblon means Hop. You had us a Houblon, Brasserie d’Achouffe.
Three types of hops to be exact. D’Achouffe uses Tomahawk, Saaz, and Amarillo hops but still retains its lightness through Belgian technique. They characterize it as spicy and fruity, strong and bitter, with a medium acidity.
Sounds great! So, let’s see how it stacks up in our firsts.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Straw-colored and slightly cloudy. Topped with a cream-colored head and full of small effervescent bubbles.
On the Nose--Distinct Belgian aroma with spicy and fruity notes. The aroma from the Amarillo hops flutters to the front as well.
On the Palate--The Belgian spice and fruitiness jumps right out at you, and it blends so nicely with the sweet citrus from the Amarillo hops. And it is distinctly Amarillo hops, there’s no denying that. Though light on the tongue, the high ABV (9.0%) strikes hard in this unsuspectingly powerful beer. It possesses great bitterness, and I think the earthy and spicy notes from the Tomahawk and Saaz hops complement the sweet, fruity, and spicy Belgian character.
Food Pairings: Brasserie d’Achouffe recommends pairing this beer with lobster bisque with rouille sauce, pan-fried chicken liver, butter sauce, and wasabi and ginger. They also recommend trying it as an ingredient in your next cooking experiment.
Verdict:
I say again, I am very pleased to have found this first Belgian IPA to review. It is a little pricey for a four-pack, but if you have it in the bank, splurge on this one. It is well-crafted and fun to drink. The Amarillo hops tap dances on the tongue, and it represents a great American touch in the melding of these two brewing ideologies.
This is our first beer with Brasserie d’Achouffe, but it will not be our last. Keep an eye out for the gnome on their package… it can be hard to find.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew