| |
Castelain
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Castelain, Ch'Ti Blanche (France) 
This big bottle is closed with a cork and wire topping. A cloudy wheat beer, Ch'Ti Blanche pours a pale yellow/white with a moderate white head. The nose is nettly and pungent, with a grassy character and rather modest hints of coriander and clove spice. There's a slight smokiness, and hints of of an estery banana note. On the palate it is quite full, with a clean, underripe white fruit and lemony style. There's a subdued spicy quality in a beer that is easy to drink, but not terribly distinctive. 4.5% ABV, 75cl, �2.99, Asda.  |  |
Castelain, Ch'Ti Triple (France)
This large, wine-bottle sized Ch'Ti is closed with a Champagne-style cork. This is the Triple, top-strength beer of the range, presented as a "bière de garde", or beer for keeping, on the label. It pours a rich golden colour with quite a thin, and quickly dissipating white head. On the nose there is a soft blanket of honey and biscuity malt, but a nice cut of hops too, and a certain floral, confectionery, aromatic quality. On the palate there is a noticeable sweetness; a slightly cloying saccharine quality, that is joined by much more bitter hoppy notes and a fruity, ripe apple and pear character. This is quite a "sticky", thick beer on the palate, that has a syrupy finish. It is certainly quite complex, though I did not find it easy to drink. It would be an interesting one to lay down. Also available in a 33cl size. 7.5% ABV, 75cl, �3.49, Waitrose.  |  |
|
|
