“Halia is a farmhouse ale aged in wine barrels with whole peaches, resulting in bright, effervescent fruit notes in a soft, hazy body that finishes slightly tart and sweet with the pleasant character of ripe, juicy peaches. Literally meaning “remembrance of a loved one” in Hawaiian, Halia was brewed in memory of the dear friend of one of our brewers who loved peaches.”
Glassware: Stemmed tulip.
Appearance: Golden orange with a mild lacto haze. It forms a collar but the head immediately disappears.
Aroma: Smells amazing! It has that sweaty and vinegary base but it’s built up with a gorgeous fruit profile (mostly peach but also apricot and white grapes). Lots of zingy and acetic citrus, peppery spice and delicate oak tannins with a faint suggestion of fibrous grain husks buried deep. Really well layered with good complexity.
Flavour: Kind of has a bit of everything upfront. Some lactic acidity, bretty funk, hints of vinegar and barnyard and that subtle yet delicious injection of peach and other stonefruits. Woody spice, straw and other farmhouse adjuncts roll in to a somewhat musty and fruity finish full of apple, white plum and peach. Really good length on it.
Mouthfeel: Mineraly texture with a light sparkle. Moderate acidity and co2. Once again G.I hide a hefty AbV (7.7%) really well.
Overall: Another epic sour rounds out their 2017 BA Wild Ale series. Some absolute crackers i.e Lolita and this one with Gillian and Madame Rose lacking some of the finesse that the other two had. All in all this was a fine offering.