Biére et Ennui en Montréal - Parte Six

After a visit to an obligatory cathedral, we light on a restaurant for lunch which defies my initial skepticism by having a beer list with a massive inventory of Québécois Biéres, including several I would like to try, and at least one dish which I find acceptable, which is really enough, when it comes down to it. My agenda is Camellia Sinensis (premier tea joint) and Brasserie Dieu du Ciel (producer of fine beers). I get a Brasseur de Montréal 'Rooibos', made with the African herbal tea. Smells like slightly tart wheat. The rooibos is subdued, but it adds an interesting dimension, adjacent some spice. My compatriot has ordered a Unibroue Raftman, but their signature house yeast seems absent.

At last I arrive at Camellia Sinensis, and switch gears to 'Tea and Loathing,' and evidently start writing in pidgin French. I order the 1992 Meng Hao Pu'erh in a gaiwan. I'm sweating q'un cochon, and they mercifully give me some water as well. The tea is okay, but tastes more like charcoal than bois or cuir. Smells very woody though, and further steepings reveal more woodiness and nuttiness. None of the promised fruit flavor from the menu; it was promised to be similar to a sheng pu'erh. It came in a candy-apple red gaiwan anda  not-quite-matching kettle. I should've asked for yixing clay. Finally I start to notice the lichen and blueberry from that menu description, but it's a  bit of a long shot. Eventually some orange, but still tastes mostly like clay.

I get pretty much left alone because it's not clear what language I speak, beyond that I clearly can't speak French.

The Metro uses an NFC chip and seems designed to make me look like a moron. I have missed the train anyway, so I suppose it doesn't matter.

I get to Dieu du Ciel and ordere a Lanterne Rouge on cask. Mignon? Petit? Un glas? I try to order a small. Oui. Kind of foamy from the sparkler if a bit dulled for being on cask. It's a hoppy brown, slightly floral.

I switch to a Rosée d'Hibiscis, which I evidently pronounce correctly. Everyone speaks French to me. I regret being unable to return the favor.

The Rosée smells and tastes great. Floral, almost English. Faintly tart with a head just shy of pink. Citrus here as well—like a tangerine? Or a kumquat. Or have I been staring at the Disco Soleil poster for too long?

My third is a Clef du Champs which I fail to pronounce correctly, but at least I try. (Hint: "clay doo shomm") It's a gruit of sorts, and hard to tastes after the Hibiscus and the Lanterne. I am however filled with a definite joie de vivre. It's earthly with a bit of spice.
Dans le terroir avec un petit peu de l'espices et l'herbes. Ordinaire je comprende en Français mais je ne parle bon pas. Ce soir c'est vraiment. It's an accessible gruit. And it's darn good.

I keep using inkblots as inkwells... I really need to work on this pen. Beer improves my spirits and my French, but not my penmanship. It's nutty, but almost has that Belgian 'bubblegum' yeast character.