PARIS AT CHRISTMAS 2023
So, as I indicated in another blog post here, my wife and I spent a week in Paris over the Christmas period in 2023. While there I got to have a number of different beers, mostly ones I have had before, but a couple of new ones. I thought I would group them all together here just for interest.
As the earlier blog covered, the highlight was getting to drink one of my absolute favourite beers, Loburg, at the bar in Montmartre, near Sacre Coeur. But I’ve covered that at length, so I’ll move on to the other beers.
So, Maes. It’s a Belgian pils that I have described and rated on this site previously. I downplayed it a bit then, but have re-assessed it after the latest tasting. It’s actually a pretty good beer and I’ve adjusted my rating to 7/10
Maes at restaurant Villa des Abbesses in Montmartre, Paris, Dec 2023.
Then to a French beer I’ve had before and have included on this site: Meteor. It’s a Pils. It’s a good if not great beer, worth looking for if you have the opportunity. I previously rated it a 6.5/10 and didn’t change my assessment after this tasting.
Despite the absence of the beer name on the glass, this is Meteor, at the famous Cafe de Flore in Paris. As a side comment, I have to admit that the highlight of the visit to this place is not the Meteor, but the profiteroles!
No comment required…
Another French beer, in fact a Parisian beer, Gallia. Have also rated this one on this site, but based on the bottled version. This is the first time I’ve had in on tap and I think it’s a far better beer than I gave it credit for, but that may be because this was the draft version, which is always superior.
Despite the logo on the glass, this is Gallia, at the L’Ecluse bar in Paris, Dec 2023. Some people seemed to be more taken with the snack but not me…
I hesitate to include this beer on here but as it was one I had (for about the millionth time over the years) and it was at one of my favourite restaurants in Paris, I’ve included it. Not much needs to be said about this one.
Boring I know, but when you’re at the Le Grand Colbert restaurant, who cares?
Again, no comment required…
This is a Kanterbrau beer, French, not one to go looking for to be honest, but it was the best they had at this particular bar.
Kanterbrau Blonde at La Sancerre bar in Montmartre, Paris, Dec 2023
So, they were the only beers I had on tap, but I was able to try several other beers in bottles. I’ll just post them below…
As I have indicated before, this is also one of my absolute favourites…
Have not had this one before, as the label says, it’s from Marseille. Not outstanding but very drinkable.
Have had this one once before, in Paris of course. Pretty good actually although it doesn’t really look so. Forgive the contortionist photo, we were trying to get Sacre Coeur into the background.
Had this one in 2014 on a hotel in a town called Orry la Ville near Paris. Didn’t take any note of it then, so decided to find it again to make an assessment. Frankly, I could have saved myself the trouble; not much chop at all. Very bitter. 4.5/10