Gavroche French Red Ale

From the Brasserie de Saint Sylvestre in France.  This French Red Ale is bottle conditioned and is 8.5% ABV.

The beer pours reddish-copper-amber in color with a thick and massive head.  The aroma is somewhat difficult to discern through the massive foam, but what comes through is fruity, a bit like a clementine orange, malty and a bit of perfumy yeastiness.  The taste is subtle and delightful, there is fruit, malt and pastry.  There is just enough bitterness on the finish to balance the malt and yeast.  The yeast is present in the taste but more in a light aromatic background form.  I am not a fan of really forward and super flavorful yeasts, so I am always a little nervous of a bottle conditioned beer.  This one is very enjoyable and drinks much lighter than one would presume from its 8.5% ABV.