Ever wondered what a smooth hazelnut chocolate bar would taste like if it was a beer? Ladies and gentlemen I give you, La Sirene Praline, a chocolate Belgian ale that makes Willy Wonka look like a hack.
I first had the pleasure of sampling this beer along with thousands of other beer lovers at the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular during Good Beer Week in May 2014. For those of you that don’t know, GABS as it’s more affectionately known, is like the Eurovision of beer with over 100 weird and wonderful brews to sample and savour. Praline took that event by storm, taking out the coveted People’s Choice Award and gave La Sirene’s Costa Nikias the confidence to release Praline commercially.
La Sirene are well known for their complex French and Belgian style ales made with the utmost care, respect and passion. And it’s with this in mind that I can safely say La Sirene’s Praline is a brilliant way to introduce more women of the wine or cider persuasion to interesting, flavoursome beer. I know, weird. Most would expect me to suggest a nice, crisp pilsner or a moderately hopped pale ale, but it is widely accepted that women have a more sensitive palate and a sharper sense of smell. I’m not saying hops are not for the ladies or that all guys should steer clear of Praline, but of course, I’m speaking in generalities. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to start back-filling this hole I just created for myself.
Those of you that have attended one of the many beer talks I’ve given over the years would have heard me say “Good beer deserves its place on the dinner table”. The fact that this beer comes in a 750ml bottle only enhances the proposition of sharing, enjoying and discussing, although I must admit I struggle with the sharing aspect. It’s perfectly balanced chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla combination will have you in awe.
A dessert beer for the ages.
You can get La Sirene from most good bottle shops and beer friendly restaurants. Oh, and Good Beer Week / GABS is on again during 16-24 May. Check out www.goodbeerweek.com.au
La Sirene Praline
ABV: 6%
Style: Belgian Specialty Ale
Serving Temp: 8 degrees
Origin: Alphington, Melbourne
Food pairing: Dessert platter
Price (RRP): 750ml, $23
Buy it here: lasirene.com.au