L'abbaye de Bon-Chien
Rated #1 by the New York Times

Coming 2010
Boldly treading the boundary between port, wine and beer, L'Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien is a unique ale aged in wooden casks which have been used for several years before to age Merlot, Merlot Cabernet, Whisky and then Grappa. It manages to merge into L'Abbaye all the complex aromas of a vintage red wine along with the delicate harmony and flavours of the wood and its former contents. This process requires close monitoring of the beer's evolution. The final version is blended from different casks to ensure optimal balance complexity and enjoyment! A mere one thousand bottles have been earmarked for the US market in 2006.

[Thus named in fond memory of Bon-Chien, the late brewery cat, deceased in June 2005, whose antics were very popular with brewery visitors]

Try it with pan-fried duck breast or foie gras déglacéed with Modena balsamic vinegar… or with a high cocoa contents dark chcolate.