Top Tastings 2008. A shorter version appeared on facebook January 2009.
ABV: 6%
Origin: Lafrançaise, Midi-Pyrénées, France
Brasserie Oc'Ale
One of the surprises in store at specialist French beer shop Cave à Bulles in Paris is that craft brewing in France has now spread far beyond its historic home in the North, even to the warmer climes of the Midi. Oc’ale is one example — “oc” is the southern dialect word for “yes”, and the region is called the “languedoc” or “‘Oc’ language”, as it was originally distinguished from the “langue d’oeil”, or “‘oui’ language” in the north. Still it’s no surprise to find brewer Jack Courmont is originally from Lille.
This is an unusual stout-like black beer with a low light fawn head and a fresh biscuity malt aroma with banana milkshake and subtle roast notes. A malty but slightly sour pineapple juice and dark cake palate with liquorice and more banana sets up a sweet-sour finish with fruit, dark malt, chocolate syrup and a hint of roast.
Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/ocale-noire/25922/
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