My last Belgian beer was the most feminine one in the fridge. In the interests of gender balance I'm following it with the blokeiest: Deux Barbus, a 5.8% ABV porter with a label which bears more than a passing resemblance to those of Brasserie De La Senne. Well, with artwork that good it was inevitable that someone would borrow the style.First impression is that it's very pale: distinctly ruby rather than brown or black. The head sits stably on the body, a half-centimetre of fine ivory mousse. The aroma hints at the sweetness to come, giving dry cocoa powder and rosewater and the texture is heavy and creamy. While it tastes sweet -- very sweet -- it's not unpleasant. The smoothness adds to the drinkability: just one more chocolate truffle. OK, maybe another. There's no roast, or dryness, or hops to speak of: just a touch of hazelnut complementing the milk chocolate.
It's simple, but I like it a lot. The brewery goes by the rather unmanly name of Papillon and I'll be looking out for more from them.