Au Baron Brasserie / Jester King Noblesse Oblige
This collaborative beer is the result of a 2015 partnership between Jester King Brewery in Texas and Brasserie Au Baron.
It pours an old-gold color—barely hazy—topped by a fine, stable white head. The initial nose presents a dance between hops and honey. The hops—likely American varieties—lead with floral notes, followed by hints of exotic fruits and citrus. You really need to bury your nose in the glass right from the start to fully appreciate this aspect. Once the beer opens up, the nose takes on a more fermentative, rustic character, centering on hay and farmhouse notes—very much in line with Brasserie Au Baron’s signature house yeast. Yet the hops hold their ground, creating a fascinating interplay between these distinct aromas.
The mouthfeel on the entry is soft and silky, followed by a surging wave of hops—at once aromatic (echoing the nose) and powerfully bitter.
This herbaceous, fresh, and fruity bitterness unfolds over a bed of malted grains, topped with a delicate drizzle of caramel. This beer successfully plays both sides of the field: offering both a crisp, clean finish and an incisive bitterness.
The lasting impression—beyond that seemingly endless bitterness—is one of impressive freshness and vivacity.
Malts: Pilsner, Munich
Hops: Brewers Gold, Sorachi Ace, Cascade, Simcoe
Recommended Pairings: Octopus ceviche, hummus, *cramique au sucre* (sugar brioche)
