Yes, that Megadeth, as in the platinum-selling American heavy-metal band. Fans of said ensemble also will recognize À Tout le Monde as a hit from the 1994 Youthanasia album, which played well in Quebec thanks in part, no doubt, to some French lyrics. Unibroue's talented brewmaster Jerry Vietz met Megadeth lead vocalist and guitarist David Mustaine on one of the group's Quebec tours and the two became fast friends. I'm not sure if they make beautiful music together but they sure do brew good beer as a couple.
This excellent tribute - created late last year and rolled out first in Quebec, the United States, France and Switzerland - is about to drop, as they say in the recording business, in Ontario. With apologies to Mustaine, it's anything but heavy or metallic. More soft, crisp and earthy is like it. A dry-hopped saison-style ale, it's slightly hazy and golden, with persistent, soapy suds telegraphing something serious below. It features Unibroue's lovely signature Belgian-yeast overtones of clove, peach and banana up front, finishing with lemony-crisp zest and light but discernible hoppy bitterness, registering an IBU level of 22. Many craft breweries try their hands at the light, traditional farmhouse saison style, but often the results are light not just on alcohol but also on character. This one's different. Mustaine, who's not the first rocker to put his band's name to a beer, must be happy that Vietz delivered a serious and delicious beverage to his fans - and to tout le monde.