Beer Review: Jester King Bière de Coupage
- Brewery: Jester King Brewery (Austin, Texas)
- Style: Blended Farmhouse Ale (Bière de Coupage)
- ABV: Varies by blend, generally around 5.6% – 6.5%
Packaging & Appearance
The beer typically comes in a 500ml or 750ml dark glass bottle, corked and caged, reflecting Jester King’s commitment to traditional, natural conditioning.
Upon pouring, it presents a beautiful, effervescent body. The color is a pale, slightly hazy straw-gold, reminiscent of raw honey. It builds a substantial, rocky white head that dissipates slowly, leaving behind intricate, sticky lacing on the glass. The high level of carbonation is immediately apparent, with tiny bubbles constantly rising to the surface.
Aroma
The nose is a complex and inviting interplay between rustic farmhouse character and vibrant, fresh fermentation. Immediately, you get the classic Jester King “house character”, a distinct earthy funk, damp straw, and a hint of barnyard. This is quickly balanced by a bright, zesty acidity suggesting lemon peel and green apple.
As it warms, subtler notes emerge: a floral, slightly peppery quality from the yeast, a touch of white wine grape, and a crackery, grainy malt backbone that holds everything together. It is tart but not overpowering, aromatic but not sweet.
Flavor Profile
This is where the “Bière de Coupage” (the blending of young and old beer) shines. The flavor profile is layered and dry.
The initial sip hits the palate with a sharp, refreshing tang—green apple, unripe peach, and lemon zest. This acidity is prominent but immediately softened by the beer’s age. The “old” component (barrel-aged stock) contributes deep, woody, and vinous notes, along with a complex, savory funk. The “young” component (un-aged, newly fermented beer) brings the bright, fruity esters and effervescence.
The mid-palate showcases the malt profile: a dry, biscuity, slightly doughy character that provides body. The finish is bone-dry, crisp, and clean, with a lingering, pleasant tartness that makes you want another sip right away. There is virtually no residual sugar.
Mouthfeel
The mouthfeel is light to medium-bodied, with extremely high carbonation. This high carbonation is essential to the style, giving it a prickly, spritzy quality on the tongue that cuts through the tartness and the funk.
The texture is incredibly dry and refreshing, lacking any heavy or cloying sensation. It drinks much lighter than its ABV suggests, acting as a superb palate cleanser.
Overall Impression
Jester King’s Bière de Coupage is a masterful execution of a traditional European farmhouse technique. It showcases the brewery’s strengths: its mastery of mixed-culture fermentation, patient blending, and ability to create beer that is both complex and immensely drinkable.
It is a “serious” beer in terms of complexity, with layers of funk, acidity, and wood, but it is simultaneously a wonderfully refreshing “sessionable” farmhouse ale. It bridges the gap between a simple saison and a complex, fully sour wild ale. Highly recommended for fans of sour, funky, and dry beer styles.
Please Note: To ensure absolute freshness and optimal storage temperatures, all craft beer arrivals are sold exclusively in-store and are not available for online ordering.
Available at SF Tequila Shop
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