Alesterity Measures


Brewery and Country of Origin: Brasserie Lefebvre SA of Chemin du Croly 54, Rebecq-Quenast, 1430, Belgium

Date Reviewed: 3-07-13

This witbier is brewed in a small town just outside of the Belgian capital of Brussels. It's also named after the capital, which happens to be host to the headquarters for both NATO and the European Union. If you take a quick look at any news outlet these days, you'll find plenty of headlines about the various issues concerning the economic situation in the European Union. Rocketing debt, massive budget cuts, widespread layoffs, tuition hikes, crumbling infrastructure... the list just seemingly goes on forever. Everyone is especially worried about Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain, a group of troubled economies otherwise known as the PIIGS nations. Other countries like Germany and France have stepped up efforts to save these struggling EU members from falling into another recession and possibly leaving the Eurozone. Government privatization, budget & structural reform, as well as government austerity (budget cuts and increased taxes) are the three biggest efforts that some of these countries are making to reduce deficits and help balance a budget in order to stay afloat. The integration of Europe has brought member nations a vast array of benefits including the standardization of industry, increased trade and travel flow, some political stability, and an overall stronger currency for some nations. And letting Greece or any other weak economy fail would render the Eurozone useless. By forming a monetary and economic union (as well as the European Central Bank), it is the responsibility of all member nations to ensure that the union as a whole remains economically stable and balanced. That means that countries have to help each other when others need it. And if a country like France chooses to let Greece fall out of the Euro, then the purpose of the Eurozone would have been defeated, and legitimacy of the union takes a big, possibly irreparable hit. And that's why Greece received a €110 Billion bailout check from the Eurozone and the IMF in 2010. But if there's one thing that is going to survive the debt crisis, it's Europe's brewing industry. Sure, travel and tourism are down, no one is buying Germany or Italy's famous cars right now, the UK is in an post-Olympic hangover, and credit ratings have tumbled. But if the financial crisis in 2008-10 taught investors anything, it's that when times are tough, people drink. And when you're in the middle of the widest recession ever, people drink even more. It doesn't matter if you make large scale adjunct beer or craft beer. Between 2008 and 2010, the stocks of both Anheuser-Busch (BUD) and Sam Adams (SAM) out performed Apple (AAPL). So perhaps the next time you want to get into a tumultuous market, don't think blue chips, think blue labels.
Date Sampled: 2-20-13 At: Yard House Fenway, 126 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
Beer Style: White Ale/Witbier
Alcohol by Volume: 4.50%
Serving Type: Keg, 20 oz Tumbler Glass
Rating: 3.23

Look

Bruxelles pours moderately smooth with a lower level of carbonation action, producing a half inch foam head with a high density, but a low retention, and a quick dissipation. This beer produces almost no lacing. This beer has a golden pale color with a hazy appearance with a bright glow caused by unfiltered wheat. This beer shows off no settling and a moderate amount of effervescent effect.

Aroma

This beer has a moderate strength aroma full of wheat derived overtones, mixed in with a general sour citrus note. Some fruity banana sweetness is present, as well as clove notes, and some floral hoppy flavors contribute toward a crisp finish. There is a bit of sweeter pale malt noticeable throughout and this beer's heavy wheat profile and low alcohol strength, means there is no ethanol tinge detectable.

Feel

This is a medium light bodied brew with a below average level of carbonation. The finish offers a decent amount of dry character, which lingers for a short amount of time. This beer has a medium low viscosity, a lighter weight, and an overall crispness which delivers a fair amount of refreshment. This beer is cool and airy and ergo, best suited for the warmer spring and summer months.

Taste

This beer has a typical wheat based flavor, emphasizing some fruity tones mostly defined by a sweet banana like flavor. There are some clove and subtle spice secondaries, as well as a good amount of pale malt sweetness overall. This beer has a dry finish which adds to the crisp bitter close emphasized by the inclusion of citrusy, floral Euro style hops.

Our Take

Let us start by telling you that this is a perfect late spring/summer beer. Unfortunately, it's still snowing outside and temperatures are still below 40 degrees... at least where we are. Still, if you're not too into fashion, trends, or the weather, and you do like summery light beers with a bit of refreshing qualities mixed in with a lighter, wheat based flavor profile, then this Belgian wit may be just what you are into. This beer has a lighter body and a low weight which make it a good casual go to easy drinker for longer sessions. Mixed in with this beer's slightly fruity and floral flavors & aromas, this a crisp and cool beer which goes great with lighter dishes, poultry, leafy green salads, thin mints Girl Scout Cookies, and the beach of course. The aroma could have been a bit more pronounced, and the flavor may be a bit too subtle for some. Still, we very much enjoyed this change of pace from all of the dark and heavy beers we've been sampling this winter recently. And just think, even though European economic forecasts look dark this winter, that doesn't mean your beer has to be.