Explore Belgian-style beers with Saint James Brewery's Rachelle Blanche. This beer blends Belgian brewing traditions with local New York ingredients. Whether you're deeply into beer or just enjoy an occasional drink, our guide will help you understand its unique taste, best pairings, and where to find Rachelle Blanche.
Try the light and refreshing Rachelle Blanche for a true Belgian experience. Learn what makes this beer special and consider visiting the Saint James Brewery tasting room to try it for yourself.
What Is Belgian Beer?
Belgian beer represents a unique class of brews, celebrated for its variety, storied tradition, and distinctive brewing approaches. It includes a broad array of types such as Trappist ales, Abbey beers, Lambics, Saisons, and Witbiers. These beers are renowned for their intricate tastes and scents, ranging from fruity and spicy to sour or earthy profiles.
Belgian brewers are known for their use of diverse ingredients and fermentation techniques, and many Belgian beers feature a higher alcohol level than other beer styles. This diversity and skilled craftsmanship have given Belgian brewing a revered place in the global beer community.
How Is Belgian Beer Made?
Belgian beer is crafted with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, often utilizing whatever is available based on the seasonal offerings from local farmers. This approach ensures a unique and varied flavor profile for each brew. The process typically involves several distinctive steps:
1. Mashing: The brewing begins with mashing, where malted grains (commonly barley) are mixed with hot water to extract sugars.
2. Boiling: The mash is then boiled, and this is when locally sourced hops and sometimes additional ingredients like herbs or spices are added. Belgian brewers are known for their creative use of a wide range of additives that reflect the local terroir.
3. Fermentation: The cooled wort is transferred to fermentation tanks, where yeast is added. Belgian beers often use unique yeast strains that contribute significantly to the beer's flavor and aroma. Some Belgian styles, like Lambics, utilize spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and bacteria native to the region.
4. Bottling and Conditioning: After fermentation, the beer may be conditioned for several weeks to several months, depending on the style. This stage allows flavors to meld and mature, often resulting in a more rounded and complex taste. Many Belgian beers undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle, adding to their complexity and carbonation level.
Throughout these stages, Belgian brewers exemplify a blend of tradition and innovation, adapting their methods and ingredients to what is seasonally available and integrating local farming products. This close relationship with the local environment not only sustains regional agricultural practices but also ensures that each Belgian beer is a unique representation of its origins.
What Is Rachelle Blanche
A 400-year-old Belgian beer style that died out in the 1950s, Rachelle Blanche is one of the classic beers offered by Saint James Brewery, styled as a Belgian Witbier. This beer is noted for its effervescent and hazy blonde appearance and features a flavor profile that includes fresh fruit notes, aligning with traditional Belgian Witbier characteristics.
We focus on the use of fresh, local ingredients for their beers, which includes barley, hops, and selected spices, ensuring a high-quality, artisanal product that reflects the local NY terroir. Rachelle Blanche is an embodiment of this approach, crafted with a dedication to both tradition and the fresh produce available from New York State farmers.
How Is Rachelle Blanche Made?
Rachelle Blanche is brewed using a local and seasonal approach, typical of traditional Belgian beers. We begin by selecting the freshest ingredients available from New York State farmers, emphasizing what is locally accessible and at its peak. This might include barley, hops, and specific spices that complement the style of a Belgian Witbier.
The brewing process follows the classic methods of Belgian beer production. Rachelle Blanche is a hazy, blonde ale that is effervescent and rich in fruity flavors, characteristic of a Belgian Witbier. This focus on local sourcing and traditional techniques ensures that Rachelle Blanche not only offers a taste of Belgium but also represents the seasonal best of its surrounding region.
When Was Rachelle Blanche Made?
Rachelle Blanche was first made in 2012. It holds the distinction of being the first beer that Saint James Brewery packaged, released, and kegged. Additionally, it is offered year-round by the brewery, making it a staple product in their lineup since its introduction.
What Are the Ingredients in Rachelle Blanche?
Rachelle Blanche is crafted using a selection of ingredients sourced from New York State. The primary components include:
Wheat and Barley: These grains provide the base for the beer, contributing to its body and flavor.
Coriander:This spice adds a subtle, spicy note that is typical in many Belgian Witbiers.
Orange Peel:Used to infuse the beer with a bright, citrusy flavor, complementing the coriander.
New York State Hops: These contribute to the beer's aroma and slight bitterness, balancing the sweetness of the grains and the freshness of the orange peel.
Together, these ingredients create a distinctive and refreshing Belgian-style Witbier that emphasizes local produce and traditional brewing methods.
How Much Does Rachelle Blanche Cost?
Rachelle Blanche is available at different price points depending on the packaging and quantity:
A single 12-ounce serving costs $8.
A 4-pack of 12-ounce bottles is priced at $18.35.
A growler, which typically holds a larger volume, is also available for $18.35.
For a more premium option, a conditioned corked and caged bottle is offered at $20.18.
These prices reflect the craft quality and local sourcing of the ingredients used in brewing Rachelle Blanche.
What Does Rachelle Blanche Taste Like?
Rachelle Blanche has a light and refreshing taste profile, ideal for those who enjoy a smoother beer experience. This combination makes Rachelle Blanche not only refreshing but also pleasantly smooth and light, making it a popular choice for a variety of palates. The result is a delightful malt-sweet grain flavor, commonly infused with notes of honey and vanilla, complemented by a vibrant, orange-citrus fruitiness. The Rachelle Blanche is also refreshingly crisp, featuring a dry and often tart finish. It may exhibit a subtle bready wheat flavor, with an optional hint of a mild lactic sourness.
What Goes Good with Rachelle Blanche?
Rachelle Blanche pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods that complement its light and refreshing flavor. Some great options include:
Long Island Oysters: The clean and briny flavors of oysters enhance the light and citrusy notes of Rachelle Blanche.
Cheese: A selection of cheeses, especially those that are mild and creamy, can balance the subtle spice and citrus hints in the beer.
These pairings can help bring out the nuanced flavors of the beer and create a delightful taste experience.
Where Can You Find Rachelle Blanche?
You can find Rachelle Blanche at our tasting room, where it is regularly available for sampling and purchase. Additionally, during certain times of the year, specifically starting in June, Rachelle Blanche is available for to-go purchases at the Bottle Room in Holbrook. This makes it convenient for those looking to enjoy this refreshing beer at home.
From June-November Rachelle Blanche can be found at various farmers markets throughout Long Island (see web site for updated market locations). Occasionally, it is also available at various distributors, offering more opportunities to purchase this popular Belgian-style Witbier outside of the brewery's direct locations.
Who Is Rachelle Blanche Best For?
Rachelle Blanche is an excellent choice for fans of Belgian-style beers who enjoy brands like Hoegaarden and Stella Artois. Its crafting preserves the authentic Belgian beer characteristics, making it appealing for those who appreciate the traditional flavors found in such beers.
The light, refreshing, and smooth profile of Rachelle Blanche, enhanced with notes of vanilla and a hazy appearance, aligns well with the expectations of drinkers who favor Belgian wheat beers. This makes it an ideal choice for both enthusiasts looking to explore Belgian-style brews and connoisseurs seeking a beer with classic characteristics reminiscent of well-known Belgian labels.
Stop in for a Rachelle Blanche Today!
If you're a fan of Belgian-style beers and looking to explore the authentic flavors that have made this style famous, visiting the Saint James Brewery tasting room is a must. Here, you can experience Rachelle Blanche firsthand—enjoying its light, refreshing taste and distinct Belgian characteristics in the very place it's crafted.
Whether you're new to Belgian beers or a seasoned aficionado, the welcoming atmosphere and expertly brewed selections promise a delightful outing. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect directly with the origins of Rachelle Blanche and explore other unique brews offered at the brewery. Head to Saint James Brewery for an authentic taste experience you won't soon forget!