Brussels Calling - Brasserie de la Senne

My man Simon (caveabulles.fr / caveabulles.blogspot.com) took a trip to the newly-opened brewery for Brasserie de la Senne and brought back a few cases of their newest: Brussels Calling. It’s the “big brother” of Taras Bulba, a complex, super hoppy belgian ale. This one has many of the same characteristics, but with a bit more alcohol. Lots of fruit on the nose, almost to the point of telling me he needs to adjust his fermentation temps a bit. Beautiful fluffy head, not overwhelming hop aroma but it’s there. Very nice lacing. Reminds me of the better Belgian Pales out there.

This is the first beer to be brewed in their new brewery and you can tell - still seem to be a few kinks to work out - but all in all I’m 1. happy for them to have their own space and 2. expecting the future beers to have the ‘kinks’ straightened out. Worth the purchase if you can get it.

As Simon got the bottles directly off the line before the labeling, the bottle didn’t have a label attached but he did give me a label to take home for “reference.”

Sounds delicious!  You’re a lucky guy, Phil.

It does sound delicious! For some reason I have yet to make it to the brewery (I know they’ve been crazy busy getting it going, so I’m trying not to be annoying). I did ask about that beer a week or so ago at ML Fontainas and even they didn’t have it yet.

How’s the bitterness? I love Taras Boulba, but I’d love it even more if they shifted some of hops toward the end of the boil.

Sounds good, and Belgium isn’t that far away…

There’s a little write-up from the brewer here:
http://www.thirstypilgrim.com/2011/06/giddyup-roundup-cans-sessions-notch-and.html