Review: Brasserie de Silly Enghien Double Blonde Ale

Those who know me know that I complain quite a bit about the lack of variety of interesting import beers at Manitoba Liquor Marts and beer stores. I miss the days when we used to have several different Belgian brands available at any given time - Duvel, Gulden Draak, Saison Urthel, more than one type of Chimay/Rochefort.. Oh and the time when Westvleteren had a $100 six-pack to raise funds to renovate their brewery.

I received an email a few weeks ago about the launch of Brasserie de Silly's products in Manitoba, making it the first time they've ever been to this part of Canada. According to their Canadian beer rep Gary, they're bringing around seven of their beers to Manitoba - a Belgian Blonde, Witbier, Belgian IPA, Pink Grapefruit Wheat Ale, Belgian Tripel, Saison, and Strong Scotch Ale. Many/most of these beers will be available at reputable craft beer vendors around Manitoba and I'm hoping they do well as it would probably calm me down for a bit. I'm hoping to sample minimum three of the seven offerings but it all depends on time.

Today's first Brasserie de Silly sampling is Enghien Double Blonde Ale. The beer is described as complex, yet balanced with harmonized notes of crackers and apricot. flavours of biscotti with a fruity and orangey bitterness and a white peppery spicy phenolic character. Silky richness from its malty base with a medium finish. 7.5% ABV/32 IBU

Appearance: It pours a bright, hazy golden-to-orange body with a light amount of clarity to it so it's not overly opaque. The head is rich and frothy with a bright white hue to it. The head diminishes a tad slowly but gradually leaving behind a layered lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Right from my first impression I said "I'm going to like this!" It's got your typical Belgiany spiced presence to it that you get from a beer like a Chimay White Cap or Unibroue La Fin du Monde (in bottles) - it's a bit spiced with a hint of black pepper, quite citrusy with lemon and a bit of grapefruit rind. A tad bit of saltine cracker presence to it, definitely a bit malty (caramel). A bit of a light perfume kind of scent to it.

Taste: Quite sweet, malty-forward Belgian Ale. Notes of honey and a bit of caramel right from the beginning. There's light-to-moderate leafy hop notes to, a moderate amount of spice to it (a hint of pepper, grapefruit). It has a slight booziness that tingles my palate but it's not too aggressive at all. Decently dry and the aftertaste is a hint of apple and saltine crackers. 

Overall Thoughts: I looked at the list of Belgian Blonde Ales I've had in the past 15 years and this one was quite a treat - had a definite Belgian vibe to it but also a tad bit of hop presence, lots of sweetness and nothing overly aggressive. I'm excited for the next beer to try any day now! Also, a name like "Silly Beer" sounds like a beer I'd brew..

Check out Silly Canada's Instagram for an idea of where you can find their products!