I really must visit Papallion, Nebrasaka at some point. Yes, I’ll get a chance to meet Tyson Arp, the genius behind these brews, and Paul Kavaulik, fouunder and brewer at the Great American Beer Festival next month. But to truly experience their beers, I’ll need to go to them.

The Melange A Trois is the latest in Nebraska Brewing’s Reserve Series. A series of barrel aged beers that take what is already good and make it better. Melange A Trois was actually the first and has recently come back again. Thanks to Paul and Tyson for the bottle.

Liquid Heaven

Nebraska Brewing Company is a wonderful dining experience tucked away in the middle Husker country, but we won’t hold that against them. Founded by Paul Kavulak, a brewer himslef, and rounded out by brewing genius Tyson Arp, Nebraska brewing seems to be becoming the stuff of legend in the craft beer world.

Melange A Trois is a complicated ale. Officially a Belgian stye Blonde Ale, it was then aged in French Oak Chardonnay barrels. Blondes are mostly an American creation, mostly malt, very little hops, very crisp and very pale in color. Only they know what they used to give it a Belgian twist. I’ve a feeling they used a Belgian yeast strain, amongst other things.

This one has a beautiful medium gold color to it. The minimal carbonation seems to creep up the side of the glass, almost as if it’s seducing you on its way to the top. The lacing is perfect and appropriate for this style, clinging to the glass for dear life.

Take one whiff and you instantly get the aroma of Chardonnay wine. Take another and you get a nice malty sweetness to balance it out.

Touching glass to lips, I instantly got what was truly a combination of both the Chardonnay I smelled and the malty sweetness. Another sip tells me a little Munich or crystal malt was used. That aging in the Chardonnay barrels was a nice touch and truly brings the tannins from the barrels in touch with the malty sweetness you get on the back end.

Mouthfeel if very crisp, very light.

Overall, this was amazing. A great summer beer despite the 10% ABV. Just make sure you enjoy it over time, with something Italian, definitely a seafood plate and of course good friends.