Abbaye des Saint Bon-Chien

I first had this one in December, 2007. Learned later that the beer gets it's name from the brewery's mascot cat, who they feel believes is a dog, and have since named him Bon-Chien, or Good Dog. He passed away, and was granted sainthood. It's not actually brewed by cats. But, anyway, I sat down with a bottle of this, brewed in 2008, blended in 2009, and will share those original notes with you, although these were not the exact same beers. Perhaps with my next bottle, I'll do some new notes.

Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien, Brewed by BFM SA (Brasserie des Franches Montagnes), Product of Switzerland. Handcrafted in …, Swiss Ale de Garde, Limited Edition, Ale aged in Oak Barrels (No word on which) , 11% ALC./VOL. "Amazing nose of fruits & spices. Slightly sour with very long aftertaste. Low carbonation. Enjoy it in a tasting glas! Biere de garde. Ages well. 

Gorgeous burgundy color, small, soon gone head...

aroma: port wine, sherry, sour and funky, sour cherries, nearly lambic-like, ...deep and lovely, urging me to drink...

amazing! so many layers of flavor, there's the snap, there's the mellow fruit, lots of cherries, grape, ...there's the bitter twang, the sour smack, ...it's wine, it's whiskey, it's a liqueur, ...it's an ale. And when it hits, it's transformative, sends shudders throughout the senses....once it hits the lips, it's sooo goood!

Ever since I first tasted this, never having heard of it, when Brad the Beerguy brought a bottle to Town Hall and I happened to be at the bar, he shared a little with me, another client, and Mike Hoops, ...I loved this amazing mix of gorgeous flavors. Sop few bottles, so expensive, showed up at so few stores, so far away from me. What was that, two years ago....or does it seem that long ago? And then there's the expense....$20+? Well, if this damn good, isn't it worth the expense? If there's nothing quite like...yes.

Juicy, fruity, uplifting, ...lovely, lovely, lovely...break this out at dinner with wine loving friends, and see how they react when you tell them it's beer...from Switzerland...made by cats!

15.%...not that huge in wine circles, but for beer...not so scary, either...fairly even handed...relax, it's only beer...mmmm, beer...

how many barrels was this one in? Merlot, merlot cabernet, grappa, whiskey???....I don't know, but it's beautiful...absolutely...

The Swiss French Belgian beer like wine made by cats who are saints but are named after dogs! Gotta love it!