“Inspired by an amuse bouche often prepared by the wife of one of our brewers, Gillian brings white pepper, strawberry, and honey to a harmonious blend. Partially aged in wine barrels, this Belgian style farmhouse ale is slightly tart and pleasantly sweet in a refreshingly effervescent body.”
Glassware: Stemmed tulip.
Appearance: Honey golden complexion with a wispy overlay. It settles to a collar with little lace to speak of.
Aroma: Quite the fruit-forward nose with a strong bretty/funky sourness. Lots of berries, woody oak, white grapes, dried apricots, peppery spice, barnyard and a subtle sweaty note also present. It’s actually crisp and rather refreshing…prefect for this warm Sydney arvo.
Flavour: Damp wood/old sauna room notes with subtle apricot, pear and unripened strawberry upfront. Getting that distinct dry and spicy pepper note flowing through as well. It maintains the dryness through the mid and picks up the funky, sweaty and barnyard flavours late as it finishes dry and spicy.
Mouthfeel: Nice and spritzy with light-moderate body. Very little acidity – which we’ve only just realised! Very approachable for 9.5%.
Overall: We’d put it between Madame Rose and Lolita. The latter being the pick of the bunch so far…although we’re yet to try Halia. It’s a decent sour but the price tag would probably turn most people away.