Brasserie St Germain

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Brasserie St Germain, Page 24 Blonde (France) This beer from the north of France comes in a swing-top 75cl bottle and pours a hazy pale yellow with a moderate white head. You would swear this had some wheat in its recipe, but the label declares only barley malt, hops and yeast, but those notes of ripe banana and clove are joined by a refreshing lemony tone. On the palate there is quite a rich texture here, more of that clove and cardamom spice and a fruity core. The hops give some real bitter bite in the finish in a nicely hoppy, yeasty and bright beer. 5.9% ABV, 75cl, ?5.80, Atlas Vintners.

Brasserie St Germain, Page 24 Reserve Hildegarde Ambr (France) This russet/amber-coloured strong ale from Flanders in northern France comes in a 75cl swing-top bottle, and pours with plenty of carbonation giving a pillowing white head. The aromas are deeply malty, with a bit of clove and orange oil in a Belgian ale style, something like leafy green herbs too in quite a complex profile. In the mouth it has a rich, full texture, the hint of sweetness and high alcohol immediately cut by a big, bitter, chicory streak of hops and acidity. There's plenty of richness and malty character too. Not an earth-shattering Biere de Garde, but a satisfying ale that lingers on the palate. 6.9% ABV, 75cl, ?5.95, Atlas Vintners.

Brasserie St Germain, Page 24 Triple (France) This strong, blonde ale from St Germain comes in a 75cl swing-top bottle and weighs in with 7.9% ABV. The colour is a rich barely sugar, with plenty of carbonation giving a lofty off-white head. The nose has toffee and citrus, with a little floral note, but it is quite discreet and less spicy than the Blonde in this range. In the mouth it has lots of fruity character, with orange and some lemon to the fore, but a rounding of gentle caramel and some lively, hoppy bitter oil notes are very pleasing. Quite long too, this is a stylish Triple. 7.9% ABV, 75cl, ?6.35, Atlas Vintners.