Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Sour Ale Tasting - September, 2012

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  August 31, 2012

  For September's Craft Beer Tasting we will be tasting Sour Ales. Following the BJCP Style Guidelines a sour ale can come from any of the following categories: Berliner Weisse, Flanders Red Ale, Flanders Brown Ale (Oud Bruin), Straight (Unblended) Lambic, Gueuze or Fruit Lambic. For those of you new to sours ales I think you'll find that while some might be very sour that there are many choices that will let you ease into enjoying a sour ale.
  
  Some examples you may wish to try, but are not limited to, are: Brouwerij Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne, The Bruery Oude tart, The Lost Abbey Red Poppy Ale, Cascade Kriek Ale, New Belgium Lips of Faith La Folie, Deschutes The Dissident, Squatters 529, Avery Oud Floris, Brouwerij Bavik Petrus Oud Bruin, Cantillon Lou Pepe, Oude Geuze De Cam, Allagash Coolship Resurgam, Upland Sour Reserve, Cantillon Iris, Iron Hill Lambic de Hill, Bear Republic Tartare, Southampton Uberliner, Westbrook Lichtenhainer Weisse & Grand Teton Snarling Badger Berliner Weisse.

  For September's Craft Beer Tasting we will be tasting Sour Ales. Following the BJCP Style Guidelines a sour ale can come from any of the following categories: Berliner Weisse, Flanders Red Ale, Flanders Brown Ale (Oud Bruin), Straight (Unblended) Lambic, Gueuze or Fruit Lambic. For those of you new to sours ales I think you'll find that while some might be very sour that there are many choices that will let you ease into enjoying a sour ale. Some examples you may wish to try, but are not limited to, are: Brouwerij Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne, The Bruery Oude tart, The Lost Abbey Red Poppy Ale, Cascade Kriek Ale, New Belgium Lips of Faith La Folie, Deschutes The Dissident, Squatters 529, Avery Oud Floris, Brouwerij Bavik Petrus Oud Bruin, Cantillon Lou Pepe, Oude Geuze De Cam, Allagash Coolship Resurgam, Upland Sour Reserve, Cantillon Iris, Iron Hill Lambic de Hill, Bear Republic Tartare, Southampton Uberliner, Westbrook Lichtenhainer Weisse & Grand Teton Snarling Badger Berliner Weisse.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  September 9, 2012

  Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project Wild Wild Brett Indigo Ale
  Wild Wild Brett Series - 100% Brettanomyces Fermentation - Ale with blueberries added, aged in oak barrels
  Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, Fort Collins, CO
  750ml bottle, 7.00% ABV, Batch 7/12, Bottle 421/1516
  
  The Wild Wild Brett Indigo Ale from Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project is brewed and bottled at Funkwerks in in Fort Collins, Colorado and pours out a cloudy, almost ruby red-orange in color topped with a two finger off-white head that slowly reduces to a film. On the nose, blueberry pie, funk, citrus and some sour notes. In the mouth, tart and funky rule with lively acidity. Flavors of blueberry, lemon, unripe mango, earth and a little oak. Light side of medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. The finish is long, sour and very dry.
  
  More tart and funky than the other Crooked Stave brews I've tried in the past. The fruit does come through adding another layer of complexity but it is the brett that really gives this beer its character. Dry, refreshing, flavorful and very drinkable. Highly recommended.

  Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project Wild Wild Brett Indigo Ale Wild Wild Brett Series - 100% Brettanomyces Fermentation - Ale with blueberries added, aged in oak barrels Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, Fort Collins, CO 750ml bottle, 7.00% ABV, Batch 7/12, Bottle 421/1516 The Wild Wild Brett Indigo Ale from Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project is brewed and bottled at Funkwerks in in Fort Collins, Colorado and pours out a cloudy, almost ruby red-orange in color topped with a two finger off-white head that slowly reduces to a film. On the nose, blueberry pie, funk, citrus and some sour notes. In the mouth, tart and funky rule with lively acidity. Flavors of blueberry, lemon, unripe mango, earth and a little oak. Light side of medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. The finish is long, sour and very dry. More tart and funky than the other Crooked Stave brews I've tried in the past. The fruit does come through adding another layer of complexity but it is the brett that really gives this beer its character. Dry, refreshing, flavorful and very drinkable. Highly recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  September 22, 2012

  Odell Shenanigans Oak Aged Crimson Ale
  Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO
  750ml bottle, 9.1% ABV
  
  The Shenanigans Oak Aged Crimson Ale from Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pour out a deep crimson in color with some cloud and is topped by a densely knit, cream colored head that slowly breaks down to a thin film with a slightly larger collar. On the nose, slightly sour with some earthy and woodsy aromas, brett funk and a hint of red fruit. In the mouth, a bit tart but not overly sour with layered flavors. Flavors of sour cherry, bitter apple, oak, slightly earthy, a hint of malt vinegar and a dose of funk from the brettanomyces. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Splotchy lacing on the glass. Almost creamy mouthfeel with the alcohol well hidden. Long finish with the tartness handgun on the longest.
  
  An interesting craft beer with good flavor that comes in waves and layers. Not overly sour but definitely tart. I enjoyed this a lot and would gladly drink it again. Recommended.

  Odell Shenanigans Oak Aged Crimson Ale Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO 750ml bottle, 9.1% ABV The Shenanigans Oak Aged Crimson Ale from Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pour out a deep crimson in color with some cloud and is topped by a densely knit, cream colored head that slowly breaks down to a thin film with a slightly larger collar. On the nose, slightly sour with some earthy and woodsy aromas, brett funk and a hint of red fruit. In the mouth, a bit tart but not overly sour with layered flavors. Flavors of sour cherry, bitter apple, oak, slightly earthy, a hint of malt vinegar and a dose of funk from the brettanomyces. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Splotchy lacing on the glass. Almost creamy mouthfeel with the alcohol well hidden. Long finish with the tartness handgun on the longest. An interesting craft beer with good flavor that comes in waves and layers. Not overly sour but definitely tart. I enjoyed this a lot and would gladly drink it again. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  September 25, 2012

  Funkwerks Cherry Saison
  Funkwerks, Fort Collins, Co
  750ml bottle, 9.2% ABV
  
  The 2012 Cherry Saison from Funkwerks in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a deep ruby-brown in color with little light getting through and is topped with a one finger, tan head that quickly reduces down leaving a thin collar. On the nose, sweet and tart with a little funk. Aromas of cherry, barnyard, light brown sugar and slight metallic, medicinal quality. In the mouth, you get a slight sweet cherry at first but then the tartness, acidity and funk come in to rule. Some Belgian yeast spiciness, tannin like flavors and medicinal notes as well but not much chocolate from the cocoa nibs. Medium bodied. Sprite carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Pretty clean somewhat juicy mouthfeel. A long finish with nice cherry flavor and spice hanging on the longest.
  
  An interesting craft beer with wonderful flavor. The medicinal notes seem to diminish as you sip your way through this beer and I am fine with that. I didn't really detect anything from the cocoa nibs. Definitely not a beginner craft beer but for those looking to explore the boundaries of their palate a craft beer well worth trying. Recommended.

  Funkwerks Cherry Saison Funkwerks, Fort Collins, Co 750ml bottle, 9.2% ABV The 2012 Cherry Saison from Funkwerks in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a deep ruby-brown in color with little light getting through and is topped with a one finger, tan head that quickly reduces down leaving a thin collar. On the nose, sweet and tart with a little funk. Aromas of cherry, barnyard, light brown sugar and slight metallic, medicinal quality. In the mouth, you get a slight sweet cherry at first but then the tartness, acidity and funk come in to rule. Some Belgian yeast spiciness, tannin like flavors and medicinal notes as well but not much chocolate from the cocoa nibs. Medium bodied. Sprite carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Pretty clean somewhat juicy mouthfeel. A long finish with nice cherry flavor and spice hanging on the longest. An interesting craft beer with wonderful flavor. The medicinal notes seem to diminish as you sip your way through this beer and I am fine with that. I didn't really detect anything from the cocoa nibs. Definitely not a beginner craft beer but for those looking to explore the boundaries of their palate a craft beer well worth trying. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  September 25, 2012

  Odell The Meddler Oud Bruin Ale
  Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO
  750ml bottle, 8.9% ABV
  
  The Meddler Oud Bruin Ale from Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out dark chocolate brown in color with just a little light getting through and is topped with a two finger, large bubbled, tan head that reduces down quite quickly to thin collar. On the nose, tart and acidic with apple, grape, cherry and just a hint of brown sugar in the aroma. In the mouth, quite tart with good fruit. Flavors of bitter apple, sour grapes, sour cherry, some funk, vanilla and a little spice. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Pretty clean mouthfeel. The finish is long and dry with an added kick of extra sourness right at the end but not enough to make you pucker.
  
  Nice and sour and a well crafted beer. I think this will be a good candidate for aging and that age will add a little more depth to the beer. Good when fresh, like this one is, but probably better after it has aged for a while. Recommended.

  Odell The Meddler Oud Bruin Ale Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO 750ml bottle, 8.9% ABV The Meddler Oud Bruin Ale from Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out dark chocolate brown in color with just a little light getting through and is topped with a two finger, large bubbled, tan head that reduces down quite quickly to thin collar. On the nose, tart and acidic with apple, grape, cherry and just a hint of brown sugar in the aroma. In the mouth, quite tart with good fruit. Flavors of bitter apple, sour grapes, sour cherry, some funk, vanilla and a little spice. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Pretty clean mouthfeel. The finish is long and dry with an added kick of extra sourness right at the end but not enough to make you pucker. Nice and sour and a well crafted beer. I think this will be a good candidate for aging and that age will add a little more depth to the beer. Good when fresh, like this one is, but probably better after it has aged for a while. Recommended.