Combine artisanal sorbet and microbrewery beer? This is the idea behind La Sorbière, a completely innovative creation that has been all the rage since its launch at the end of May in the Sherbrooke region. The inspiration for this fruity beer sorbet germinated during the pandemic thanks to a partnership between the Savo gelateria and the Boquébière microbrewery, two Sherbrooke companies.
Posted at 11:00 a.m.
“The idea didn’t come from something we saw elsewhere. We imagined the project last summer, me and Yann Doyon from the Savo, during restaurant events. We then spent six months developing everything,” explains Charles Gagné, co-owner and brewer of Boquébière.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOQUÉBIÈRE
The blackberry scent
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOQUÉBIÈRE
The pina colada flavor
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOQUÉBIÈRE
The tropical scent
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Available in three flavors (tropical, blackberry and piña colada), the Sorbière comes in a pretty, colorful can that you open by pulling the ring like a normal can, except that the lid comes off completely. A compostable wooden spoon is attached to it with a bracelet – which can be kept – for immediate consumption.
And how do you manage to make such a product?
The process resembles that of a beer smoothie [un assemblage de bière et de purée de fruits]. Then pass it all through an ice cream maker.
Charles Gagné, co-owner and brewer of Boquébière
The brewer specifies that the product is made at the Wellington Street brewery thanks to a loan of equipment and the expertise of Savo.
Different Boquébière beers were used to create the recipes. For the tropical flavor, we used Pure Vida, a New England IPA; the blackberry variety was created with Petit Party Fruité, a sour beer with haskap, blackcurrant and raspberry; a Pineapple IPA milkshake with lactose is the origin of the piña colada flavor.
A test production of 5000 cans was made in order to know the enthusiasm of the market; a second production launch will take place during the summer, since the response has been strong and immediate. During our visit to Sherbrooke at the end of June, we were told that the cans of Sorbière, all sold out, would be back on the shelves in mid-July.
Offered for the moment only in the Sherbrooke region, the Sorbière could possibly be distributed more widely. The brewer claims that the microbrewery does not have a freezer truck, but would like to be able to do so.
La Sorbière is available in a 355 ml format at a suggested price of $7.99.
For testing
We were able to taste two of the three varieties, either blackberry and tropical. When opening the can, we are surprised by the sorbet that literally comes out of the container, causing an immediate “wow” effect. The blackberry fragrance, more tart and very fruity, has a texture more reminiscent of sorbet and tastes very little beer. The sweeter, tropical fragrance has a slight bitterness. Its texture is smoother and creamier and its taste of beer is more pronounced. Both variants have an alcohol content of 4%.