by Brasserie de l'Abbaye des Rocs
B
rasserie des Rocs is located in the picturesque little village of Montignies-sur-Roc. The inhabitants of this village are known colloquially as ‘Montagnards’. It seems appropriate then that the local brewery name their supreme beer after their local residents.
And why not be kind to your locals. When the brewery is in your garage, and the tasting room is in your dining room, you need to get on with your neighbours!
The beer is noted as an amber (ambree) on the label, but would best be classed as a strong dark ale. A very broad catch-all style for anything slightly dark and fruity.
A very inviting aroma of sweet malt, over-ripe dark stone fruits with hints of banana and honey is the preview to this treat. And all of those aromas follow through in the taste, and then some.
At first a sweet malt backbone offering caramel and toasty malt, plums, raisins, brown sugar and a hint of spice. But the beer is not too sweet, with a citrus and slightly spicing yeast and hop character cutting in. It dries out on the finish, and leaves a complex aftertaste to savour.