Corsaire is dedicated to creating local versions of classic British styles. Master Brewer and Owner Martin Vaillancourt, was trained in England, and while young on the scene he has made Corsaire a multi-award winning brewery in a handful of years. Precisely the resume of a brewer that a pirate would have given the nod to make a beer in their name. Corsaire keeps a dozen beers across all styles on the taps right now, all available in their pirate hide-out, helpfully dubbed “the pub.” The Lévisienne is an English-style IPA but with a stronger and hoppier character than normal. The English tradition of flowery character and sweet caramel malt is maintained. Serves well at 6°C and should be enjoyed promptly.
Pours a dark amber colour with a slightly hazy body and low carbonation. A thin layer of small bubbles forms the head out of the can.
There’s a funkiness that will make you think you’ve cracked open a Brettanomyces beer, but it’s complemented with a slightly sugary sweetness.
The brett quality carries into the flavour, but there’s none of the strong barnyard character in this beer, just a hint of funkiness. The caramel malt comes in to knock down that funk and sweeten up the taste, but there’s an earthy, leafy bitterness from the hops that also joins the malt, making this beer’s flavour switch tracks a few times as it warms on the tongue. Take your time with it and you’ll get a very interesting tasting experience.
Something simple and savoury - a good candidate for the charcuterie board.