Des Rocs

Blanche des Honnelles (1991) was originally very localised, and has since expanded beyond the boundries of the greater and lesser Honnelle rivers, from which it takes it's name. The Blanche des Honnelles leaves the beaten path somewhat. It has an amber colour which is after all the traditional appearance of the Blanches. It is also stronger (6%) than the Blanches that we know. Its taste is surprising and is not comparable to the brews with the same name that are now on the market. If the bouquet is subdued its first flavour is a stark dry sharpness against a pepper background. There is no acidity in this Blanche that is made with three cereals (barley, wheat, oats). It has a stimulating taste, leaving a subdued but refreshing final impression. Lots of character and curious.

Abbaye des Rocs (9% alcohol vol.) is a pure malt beer, with no added sugar. The entire range of tastes is directly linked to the double fermentation, the precise quantities of malts (7 types) as well as the mixtures of three kinds of hops (Belgian, German and Czech). Its colour is a striking deep and majestic red. Its taste is rich and full of subtlety. It is tasted like a red wine with which it shares the ruby colour without having the tannin. It develops a strong sweet smell. It confirms the initial impression in the first mouthful, with a sharp body that is balanced with a certain fruitiness. It frees itself on the palate and develops an impressive depth of taste.

Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru has a rich, complex fruit aroma of cherries, golden raisins, peaches, and assorted dried fruit, laced with honey and caramel. Smooth, rich flavors reminiscent of cherries dipped in caramel, finishing with notes of dried chocolate, roasted almonds, and a hint of molasses.

The inhabitants of Montignies-sur-Roc, south of Mons in the province of Hainaut, are called Montagnards. It was therefore perfectly normal for a beer brewed in this city to be called Montagnarde. This beer, robust in taste and strength (9%) is the tops for flavour. It has a fruity and spicy bouquet, it has a stark taste, between a sharp bitterness and a caramelised flavour. It has no sugar, and this pure malt beer oscillates between various tendencies which all round off the bitterness. It has a peppery taste at the back of the mouth and a sharpness on the tongue. It is active in the mouth and lets each flavour express itself individually.