“Sour red ale aged in Sangiovese barrels.”
Glassware: Snifter.
Appearance: Pouring a gorgeous crimson colour with a super fizzy two finger head sitting atop. Reduction is slow and steady but it eventually settles to a ring with sparse lacing as we go.
Aroma: Intricate and very well layered! The sourness is there, obviously, but it’s nicely offset by the sweet and rather juicy red malts and subtle oak additions. Along with those divine notes of red wine and tart cherries is a kind of artificial-like scent of candy canes and raspberry sherbet. So much depth and character on this nose.
Flavour: The sourness is showing a bit more intensity, ever so slightly though. Pronounced vinegar and lemon juice comes forward but it’s quelled by sweet candy and oak-driven vinous notes. Picking up hints of tart cherries late in the piece as it leads in to the smooth and slightly dry finish.
Mouthfeel: Prickly, slightly acidic and well carbonated. Relatively light on though.
Overall: We’re suckers for a good label so this one drew us in instantly. Good form Smog City! But also well followed through….superb balance but still showing plenty of sour character. Impressive.