What’s up folks?  For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying Brewery Vivant’s Big Red Coq (Ha, that sounded funny).  This Brewer’s Reserve Limited Release beer is brewed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I can’t get any of these brews in my area, so I need to thank Chris Phillips (mrliquidbread.wix.com/mrliquidbread) for sending it to me.

The website, breweryvivant.com, gave an enticing description of the Big Red Coq.

We make four batches of this beer each year, once a quarter.  When it is gone, it is gone.  What started as a test batch specialty beer at our pub, has grown into one of our most sought after beers.  Plus there is so much fun to be had with the name.  Coq means rooster in French. 

Let’s give it a try.  Shall we?

This beer came in a 16 oz. can and it packed an ABV of 6.25%.

It poured to a very deep maroon/burgundy color with some ruby red hues showing through when held toward the light.  The cap was eggshell colored, smooth and soft. It was sized decently, the retention time was fairly nice and the lacing seemed to be sound as well.

The bouquet popped with some nice grapefruit and pineapple citrus, which commingled with just a wee bit of funky goodness and Belgian yeast.  Hints of pine added some more hoppy characteristics while a deep caramel malt added some additional sweetness.  I really liked this fragrance.  Very well balanced and harmonized.

The taste began with some toasted breads and caramel sugars.  The grapefruit and pineapple citrus mixed with the piny hops sat right in the middle while the Belgian yeast, funk and even some grassy components hit fairly hard at the back end.  The hop bitterness was of medium strength, however it was sturdy enough to really please the taste buds.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  Smooth, dry, semi-chewy and slick.  The carbonation was lively, but not stingy.  Just a very minor amount of warmth was felt as the liquid worked it’s way across the palate.  A genuine amount of flavor was left behind for me to enjoy between sips as well.

Overall, I found this to be a very fine beer.  I’m not typically a fan favorite of “Reds”, however I really enjoyed this one.  I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that it was really “hopped up” and that it contained some of those Belgian funk and yeast components that I really like.  It’s definitely a unique take on a beer of this style.  If you guys happen to be hanging around in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area and see the Brewery Vivant Big Red Coq sitting out on the shelf of a bottle shop I’d encourage you to pick it up and give it a try.  I think that you may really like it.  Again, thanks to Mr. Liquid Bread for sending this my way.  I’m most appreciative.

Thanks for reading and commenting everyone.  I’m grateful.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  4.05 out of 5
Grade:  A-