La Chouffe – Belgian Ale Review
January 20, 2009
I recently reviewed Duvel Belgian Ale for The Brew Club and mentioned that in 2006 Duvel acquired the Brasserie d’Achouffe, an artisan brewer known for brewing large bottles of fine Belgian Ale like La Chouffe.
In a previous life I worked with the husband of the Brasserie d’Achouffe’s Quality Manager – now there’s a job to aspire to! She gave me a bottle of that particular year’s Christmas Ale “N’ice Chouffe” which came in at a full 10% ABV and went down a storm with that year’s Christmas dinner!
The La Chouffe brewery opened initially as a hobby in 1982 and quickly gained a reputation for brewing strong Belgian Ales, normally at least 7%, with distinctive gnomes on the label (Chouffe means ‘gnome’ in the local dialect). Their standard bottle is 75cl, so unless you’re inviting a few friends round, hide the car keys!
I have described the distinctive ‘Belgian Taste’ in the past; I’m not sure whether it’s the yeast, the barley, or just the strength of Belgian Beers that make them so distinctive, but once you get the hang of it, a Belgian beer is as distinctive as a Chardonnay or Rioja wine. I did comment in my review of Pauwel Kwak that many of the stronger Belgian Ales are perhaps targeted at tourists as oddities rather than regular drinkers, but beers from La Chouffe, coming from a ‘hobby’ brewery are a welcome exception. Despite the new ownership it is clear that these beers are brewed with a real passion, and that passion comes through in the taste.
The beer I opened was one of the last pre-Duvel takeover brews and is unpasteurised. It pours, as you will see, with a generous head – what Scott would describe ‘a root beer float’ head. This is quite slow to subside and leaves considerable lacing on the glass. The mouth feel is, as you would expect from an 8% beer, substantial, almost ‘chewy’. You know you’re drinking something rather special.
The flavour is a good balance of malt and hops, the background flavour of candy sugar that should warn you you’re drinking something potent, and there’s a definite spice flavour, almost fruit cake. It’s a very warming brew. I still have another bottle to enjoy, but I’ve noticed that this one is post-Duvel and pasteurised, and has a shelf life of 2010, so there’s no urgency.
This is my last Belgian Ale review for a while, I figure it’s time to move on to something different. There are plenty more for me to return to though!
4 Stars Rating: 
Bob the Brit
Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, All Brews Reviewed, Belgian Beers, European Beers, Views from a Brit
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January 21st, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Curious to know if there is a big difference in quality or flavor between the pasteurized and non-pasteurized beers? Is it a ‘taste-able’ difference, or just a shelf-life thing?
Scott – TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Belgian Beer Review – La Trappe
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:16 am
Good point Scott, of course these things are subjective, I guess I’ll just have to open my other bottle and send you an update.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
[...] few years ago, the Moortgat Brewery bought Brasserie d’Achouffe, and I just happen to have a couple of bottles of their ales on my shelf. This just gets better [...]
January 25th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
As far as differences in taste with pasteurized vs. un-pasteurized there is a difference. Since Pasteurized beers are heated, a slight burnt taste can often occur. This is especially true of lighter and more delicate beers.
In terms of La Choufee beers, I like their unique take on Belgian beers. I think what really makes them stick out is how spicy they tend to be. I do think that the yeast profile really contributes to this attribute. But more than that, the amount of hops (especially Aroma) is somewhat atypical for Belgian beers. That seems, to me, to be where the difference really lies in this line of beers.
Michael Reinhardt’s last blog post..Why are some beers more expensive than others?
January 25th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Michael, thanks for posting that info about pasteurized vs. non-pasteurized beers, and also your thoughts on the La Chouffe! I learn new stuff every day with this blog! I know Bob really had a good time reviewing a lot of these special Belgian ales, and I’ve made it a point to get to them myself to try soon!
Scott-TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Wheat Free and Gluten Free Beer Review – Redbridge Beer
June 5th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I just got back from Europe, I drank alot of beer in 5 countries; and I’ve been drinking all kinds of beers here in USA for about 30years and La Chouffe beer was easily the best beer I’ve ever had! I want to buy it in USA but can only find Stella Atouis beer here! Help! I’m in Ohio!
October 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am
Hi Erik et all,
Thanks for your love of Chouffe! If you let me know where in OH you are located, I will let you know where you can find La Choffe.
Thanks,
John