Brasserie Caracoles - Nostradamus

The bottle I'm drinking tonight was picked up on a whim.  I've been on a brown ale kick for the last few days.  It turned my last trip to the beer store into one where I only focused on all forms of brown ale.  As you saw yesterday, I started with a classic brown ale from Samuel Smiths.  Tonight, I'm going towards the other end of the spectrum with Nostradamus, a Belgian brown ale from Brasserie Caracoles.  And due to my aforementioned brown beer buying binge, throughout October, you will find plenty of other brown ale reviews with my name on them.

Brasserie Caracoles is located in Belgium.  That's about all I got on these guys.  Their site is entirely in French.  And despite Google Translators best efforts, it could not overcome the websites broken links.  Apparently the Belgians care not for functional web design.  Here is a link to the site incase you are interested... Brasserie Caracoles.

This Belgian brown is actually classified as a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.  But the color remains true to the name on the bottle.  Colored copper and amber-brown with a minimal tan foam, the aromas swell from my pint and infuse the surrounding air with candied dark fruit, sweet malt and hints of clove and Belgian yeast.  The first sip brings a load of carbonation that's hard to get past.  But after a few minutes, the carbonation subdues itself and brings more candied fruit, toasted malt, milk chocolate and brown sugar flavors to the forefront.  Some grape and plum flavors are noticeable as well.  The high level of carbonation actually helps to balance a somewhat heavy malt body that would otherwise be overpowering.  Some hop bitterness comes through towards the finish to further dry out the sweet malty profile.  Did I mention the 9% ABV?  I didn't think so.  It's because I couldn't taste it.  The alcohol is virtually non-existent.

Overall - Even though I was tricked into believing that Nostradamus was a brown ale brewed with Belgian yeast, I was delightfully surprised and impressed with this incognito brew.  I'm a sucker for well brewed Belgian ales and it's tough to argue against one brewed within the country itself.  Nostradamus is a great Belgian Dark Strong Ale.  I highly recommend it.

Brooklyn - Local 2

To our dear readers, fellow beer lovers and brewers, I have some wonderful news to share.  Tonight marks The World of BeerCraft's 200th review!!!  I cant believe that we are already at 200.  It feels like just a few short months ago that we started this blog and wrote our first review.  Looking back at it today we have certainly come a long way in just seven months of daily beer reviewing.  Our readership has exponentially increased throughout this time as well.  If it weren't for you readers and fellow craft beer enthusiasts it may have spelled an end to The World... of BeerCraft as we know it.  We have nothing but appreciation and admiration for others who share the same passion as Dunz and I do and we hope to continue to share our experiences with you for another 200 reviews!  Cheers!

I'm going to stick with the Belgian theme so far this week and review Brooklyn Brewery's Local 2.  A while back I reviewed their Local 1 and found it to be a great domestic example of a Belgian Golden Strong.  I have high hopes for Local 2.  Brooklyn Brewing just recently started distributing in MN a few months ago and they have already amassed a large following in a market notorious for its adoration of locally brewed beer.  Its an impressive feat for a brewery that advertises its origin on the center of every bottle it sells.

Local 2 is a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.  Essentially the opposite side of the spectrum from Local 1.  The bottle is the exact same style as its lighter colored brother with a green label and a big '2' smack dab in the middle.  The bottom of the front label lets us know that this ale is brewed with honey and citrus peal, 100% bottle refermented and a robust 9.0% ABV.  On the back label you will find serving suggestions directly from the brewmaster.  Belgian dark sugar, raw wildflower honey and Brooklyn's special Belgian yeast are highlighted within the brewmasters notes to help you create a welcoming mental picture even before you unwrap the cage and pop the cork.

The aforementioned cork pops off with ease and a cool white mist billows from the bottles opening.  Pouring this into my pilsner glass I immediately notice this ales frothy tan head and clear deep brown body.  Brooklyn has really nailed down this brews presentation.  The head lingers all the way through to a finish and actually adds a creaminess to each sip.  Lots of dark candied fruits with hints of caramel and a faint citrus create a complex aroma similar to other Belgian Darks I've had in the past.  My first sip is heavily carbonated.  You will want to let this one breathe a bit before diving in.  Once the excess carbonation is released you are treated to a full bouquet of Belgian love.  Sweet candied plums, raisins and figs blend together with a mild Belgian spice and subdued floral flavor.  The once strong carbonation is now a soothing accent to an overall smooth and complex experience.

Overall - I realized after I finished my tasting notes that I never mentioned the alcohol.  That's because it was nowhere to be found!  Brooklyn's Local 2 certainly lives up to expectations.  Its an easy drinking, complex, flavorful, smooth experience that is hard to replicate.  If you have the opportunity, grab a bottle of Local 1 and 2.  Brooklyn Brewing has made it easy to enjoy two well made examples of Belgian style brew right here in the good ol' U.S. of A.