“This NW style sour ale blends wheat & blond ales that were oak aged in barrels for 6mos, then additionally aged 4 mos on fresh blueberries & cranberries. Huge herbal notes of dense blueberries in the nose give way to hints of oak & a dusty floral note. Rich & earthy notes of dark fruit on the palate lead to a tart finish that dries out to a base of blueberry skins.”
Glassware: Stemmed Tulip.
Appearance: It pours an attractive burgundy with a short fizzy cap over the top. The head quickly retreats to the rim and struggles to produce any lace as it subsides.
Aroma: It has this magnificent vinous fruit note with the blueberries and subtle oak character in support. Tart lemon, red wine vinegar, blood plum and assorted tart red fruits (pomegranate, cranberry) also getting a look in. We can also pick up the wheaty undertones too…it suggests a farmyard cereal grain/weet bix kind of affair. Really in awe at how much red wine we’re getting in the nose. Outrageous!
Flavour: Well there’s no mistaking it…it’s bloody sour! Acetic lemon, lime juice, vinegar and tart red berries rush the front palate. This little foursome carries well in to the mid with a little tickle of warmth from the booze. The mild oak tannin and wheaty grains make a late appearance before it finishes tart and fruity with some vinous red berries in the tail.
Mouthfeel: Quite lip puckering, light on and moderately carbonated. The 6.5% AbV comes in and out but is pretty much nondescript.
Overall: She’s a lot more approachable than we first thought. We’d say it’s pretty similar to a lightly sparkling red wine with a lot more berries and citrus…..and sourness of course! Would be a fine warm weather quaffer.