United Nations of Beer

Belle Gueule Rousse beer

by Ashley Cotter-Cairns
(UNOB HQ)

Belle Gueule Rousse beer

Les Brasseurs RJ strikes again with the Belle Gueule series, of which the Belle Gueule Rousse beer is the third of five in total, to my knowledge.

The Original and Blonde can be purchased with this Rousse beer as a selection 12-pack, though if I were you, I'd try each one separately before splashing out on an entire case of the stuff.

The Belle Gueule Rousse beer is billed as a lager, which is believable from the carbonation, if not the colour. Unlike some commercial lagers, you don't get the steely chemical smell when you pour, but unfortunately this one smells stale.

To borrow a phrase used by Andrea at the UNOB Beer Tasting Night recently, it has a kind of "inside of the fridge aroma" that won't make you keen to take a sip.

Fortunately, the problems end there. The first bite of taste is surprisingly bitter. Then there's a smooth, lingering sweetness, not quite maple, softer and subtler than that, but fading gently away into a red-beer-like, slightly bitter aftertaste.

Being a lager, it's very gassy and that alone might put you off downing more than a couple of Belle Gueule Rousse beer bottles during a session. The 5.2% abv won't disappoint, though: it's a pretty effective performer.

This is the second red lager I've tested recently, both brewed in Quebec. While at the time I was fairly fond of Gros Cochon lager, if only for its funny name, it's safe to say that it's left in the shadows by this beer.

Belle Gueule Rousse beer is a fine lager. Get past the initial smell of a stale fridge and prepare for it to grow on you by the end of your first glassful.

I was all revved up to dislike this beer, based on my initial reaction to its odd pungent smell, but like the best of friends you make in the journey of life, initial impressions are often deceptive. I'll be drinking this blushing lager again.