Beer Review: Mariage Parfait (2004)

Reviewing the Mariage Parfait from Brouwerij Boon out of Belgium.
Score: 91

2004 vintage bottle served in a Kentucky bourbon ale snifter and enjoyed on 06/15/12.

Appearance: Some floaties, but not bad. A bit of hazy golden straw color with a thin fog of head atop at pour that settles to a ring around the glass. Average lacing, decent retention. 3.5/5

Smell: Huge notes of sharp lemon zest. Slight medicinal funk, but that funkiness is well incorporated into the lemon aroma. Sweet and sour vinegar. Sharp, tart aroma. A little apple in the nose too. 4.5/5

Taste: Nice tart sweet vinegar and lemon sting on the tongue upfront with mild earthy funkiness and a little fruitiness on the back of the tongue. Funkier taste than the nose, but not very funky. Very clean on the palate except for a light linger on the back of the tongue. Some sour apple flavor too. As the beer layers, the beer seemingly becomes more tart, and the funkiness seems constrained to the aftertaste. The flavors become more consistent throughout and smooth as the beer layers. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, minimal carbonation with a "funk kick" on the tongue. Lemonade-like mouthfeel. Tart and drying on the gums, but never overly dry on the rest of the palate. 4/5

Overall: The nose is quite awesome, but the taste is a little too funky for my preference and less stand out than the aroma.

Recommendation: Sour heads should give this one a whirl; probably not the best beer for the casual beer drinker.

Pairings: Key lime pie.

Cost: $14.99 for a 750 ml bottle.