Best Features: good balance, tart and sweet

Éphémère is a white ale brewed with apple juice and coriander.  White ale is on e of the most popular type of ales where adjuncts such as fruit are added.  White ale is a style of wheat beer that uses wheat in combination with malted barley.  Wheat beers have often have citrus notes and are cloudy in the glass.

In the glass the beer pours slightly cloudy with a light white compact head.  The aroma is very recognizable and is immediately released as soon as the bottle is opened.  The apple aroma is very delightful and similar to Granny Smith Apples, one of my favourite types of apples.  The coriander smell is feint but reveals itself more when the beer comes up to serving temperature (6-8 degrees Celsius).  As with most beers, nuances in aroma and flavour become more obvious as temperatures rise.

The alluring aroma invites you to take your first sip.  The apple flavour is very prevalent but not overwhelming.  The initial flavour of coriander folds well over the tongue and is delicate.  The tongue is teased as the apple flavour dances throughout the beginning, middle and aftertaste.  The sour green apple finish is very thirst quenching.    

Éphémère is the type of beer that wheat ale fans will enjoy.  The dry apple sweetness makes the beer refreshing and enjoyable.  Although the beer has both apple juice and coriander it is nicely balanced.  Often spiced white ales try to provide balance but fail.  Éphémère has been very successful in balancing beer with fruity esters.   

Food Pairings: Try Éphémère with some light mozzarella or medium cheddar.  It does work with smoked Gouda and other cheeses that bring out the sweetness of the apple.  In addition to cheese, Éphémère will pair nicely with pork loin, white fish and grilled chicken.  What about pairing fruit with fruit?  Éphémère provides an interesting compliment to citrus zest and orange sauces or a fruit cup.

Beer Fact: Unibroue bottles most of their beers with yeast sediment or bottle fermentation.  The high-flocculent yeast that remains suspended causing the beer to appear cloudy in the glass.  The beer ages well when it is kept at cool temperatures.  The residual yeast provides some interesting flavour profile to the beer.