Brin de Folie
Review Date 2/24/2024 By John Staradumsky
A European Beer Collection! Costco was selling the European Beer Collection! Every September, at least every September since 2015, I have picked up a Kalea Beer Advent Calendar at Costco. This calendar features 24 unique German beers that are hard to find anywhere else, at least here in the USA. These calendars have a cult following (yes, I am part of that cult) and even a dedicated Facebook group.
Anyway, in early January of 2024, someone in the aforementioned group posted about The European Beer Collection, a 10-pack of 16.9 ounce cans from various European countries. I knew I wanted one, and in mid-February while shopping at Costco with my wife she pointed out a lone carton of said beers atop a display of some other beer I can’t remember. It went immediately into my cart, of course (they did have a pallet full of these we saw later).
The third beer I popped from the box was Brin de Folie from France. I don't seem to drink a lot of French beer, probably because I don't see a lot of French beer. The French are better known for their wine than for their beer, of course, but they do make some tasty brews as well. Brin de Folie is produced by Brasserie De Sutter of Gisors in Normandy. If you visit their website, you will see they proudly proclaim to make BIÈRES FAITES AVEC AMOUR & HOUBLONS, which is French for beers made with love and hops.
From the Box - European Beer Collection website:
ABOUT THIS BEER
The Brasserie De Sutter is dedicated to the producing small-batch, high-end craft beers for sharing amongst friends and advancing the French beer culture since its inception in 2008. Family owned and operated from its inception by brothers and beer lovers Antoine and Frédéric, the brewery began operations at a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in 2012. The success of the « Les Folies » line of beers has allowed them to move into wider distribution of their beers, while still retaining their original objective of sustainable development and the production of beers that make the brothers proud.
Brin de Folie has an alcohol content of 6.5% by volume. I paid $29.99 for the 10-pack, or $3 per 16.9-ounce beer. That seemed a fair price to me. My can is marked on the label as best enjoyed before 08/2025. Brin de Folie is French for "A touch of madness." De Sutter has three beers in the 10-pack, the only brewery with that many included.
De Sutter Brin de Folie pours to a bright orange amber color with a thick creamy white head and a nose of soft malt and spicy yeast. Taking a sip the beer is medium in body with a touch of biscuit malt and caramel. It’s infused with a vibrant floral hop character, earthy and green and in the finish has a long lingering bitterness accentuated with peppery hops. With each sip, it is easy to tell this beer is made with love and hops.
Beers of the European Beer Collection:
France
Brin De Folie Belgian Style Pale Ale
Germany
Poland
Rotmistrz India Pale Ale/Lager
Glad I tried it? 
T
Would I rebuy it??
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled, Canned
(D)=Draft
