Named Barrique Mécanique in reference to Orange Mécanique (Clockwork Orange), the iconic blonde beer in Sainte Cru’s permanent range, it was aged for three months in sherry casks previously containing Armorik whisky.

Barrique Mécanique is a Belgian ale similar to the Triple style. It is produced form malted barley only, American hops, acacia honey and very aromatic yeast. Under the influence of tannins from the Armorik and sherry casks, it develops rich and syrupy notes nuanced with fruit and beeswax.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep amber with red hints.

Nose: Fresh, and heady. Characterised by beeswax and acacia sap, the spicy and herbaceous first nose unmistakably reveals the beer’s whisky barrel maturation. Allowed to breathe, it develops tangy nots of freshly squeezed fruits (apple, yuzu, grapefruit) and stewed fruits (banana, strawberry) pepped up with woody spices from the cask (vanilla, cedar wood). Notes of burnt sugar, nuts (almonds, hazelnuts) and ripe Mirabelle plum add a wonderful complexity to this first stage of the tasting.

Palate: Supple, deep. Continuing on perfectly from the nose, burnt sugar, sweet honey and caramel, the unique markers of Belgian beer intensified by the cask, coat the palate. At first oily and dense, the attack then takes on notes of caramelised pear and citrus fruit from Breton whisky. It’s warm and spicy profile is enriched with sweet (dark chocolate, praline) and candied (orangette) notes from the Oloroso sherry cask. The woody and astringent end of the palate provides balance to the overall. Ensemble.

Finish: Long, balanced. An authentic summary of the nose and palate, the start of the finish is dominated by a fresh and fruity (citrus fruit, Granny Smith apple) acidity and reveals festive (clementine, spices, dried fruits) and buttery (brioche) notes. At the end of the finish, beeswax returns, characterised by herbaceous and metholated notes that bring the tasting complexity and balance.