Ah the smell of stale beer in the morning. Last night I had another tasting, this time with a focus on barrels. Many of the entrants were previously discussed, but there were some last minute scores. The tasting was large and there were a wide range of different styled tasters each preferring certain beers over others. There was much consensus though and despite some premium examples of the style, American Wild Ale did not go over well, even for me. Not every beer ended up being barrel aged, but they were all unique and uniquely rare in that as well. Let's get to some tasting notes shall we (in order of appearance):
1.Captain Lawrence Smoke from the Oak (wine barrel)This beer could have been added the Wild Ale list with its distinct brett like character and sour fruit notes. But I found the flavors to be quite tame and still chocolate. Chocolate-covered sour cherries was used a couple of times, and everyone thought drinkability was excellent especially with some food.
2. Harviestoun Ola Dubha - 12 yrReally enjoyed this smoky masterpiece with its oil coating mouth feel and distinct scotch like flavors. It was peaty and smoky with delicious earthy and salty seaside flavors, an excellent collaboration between two of Scotland's finest. Malty smokey.
3. Alaskan Smoked PorterSpeaking of smokey, this beer rules supreme. This beer was brought back to me by a friend visiting AZ. Unavailable pretty much anywhere east of the west coast, I've heard much about this standard in the style and it's many beer medals. A little too smokey for most, like "liquid smoke" or a "day-old" campfire this beer was not well liked, but unique nonetheless.
4. Russian River ConsecrationOnto the big boys with the full tasting panel there, and opened up this much hyped up American Wild Ale. It took a lot to get this beer, with a huge price tag and a lot of driving it was had, but I must say I've never been a Wild Ale fan. Too sour for my likings, too cellar-like in flavor. This one had to be the one to change me over and it would be the beer to get me into sours, but nah. It was unique, very great mouthfeel and interesting flavors, but it was just too sour, puckering, too bold, too hard to drink. Many used inedible fruits to describe the flavors, others metal and chemicals. It did not go over well, a lot of people just picked the word "no" for drinkability. It was unique nonetheless, but really not enjoyed and left me even doubting my other Wild Ale choices for the evening.
5. Lost Abbey Angel's Share
Yes. Bubbles! It had a lot more carbonation than the one I had previously opened. I mean a lot more, actually leaving a lacing this time, and covering up the alcohol much better. I was so psyched about that, so happy about that. But this beer was a huge hit, candidate for best beer of the night and enjoyed by everyone.
"Like opening a fresh pack of fig newtons" was agreed as the descriptor of the beer with caramel and oaky notes following that up. Everyone really liked this one saying they would love to drink it anytime despite it's incredibly thickness and smacker of an alcohol content.
6. Goose Island Juliet
This one got a beating. A thrashing, with a board-room like atmosphere ensuing. "Who greenlighted this purchase?" "It was him, no her, well the guy at the store said it was good." Yea, urine was the most common descriptor on this Wild Ale. Too sour with those same chemical descriptors as last time. It garnered some of the lowest ratings of the night and basically lead to me leaving the
Avery Brabant from the tasting.
7. Three Floyds/Mikkeller Oatgoop.
Runner-up for beer of the evening. Everyone really liked this beer. It was like a crisp IPA up front with a beautiful building intensity and thickness in mouthfeel and flavor. Definitely a style of beer I had never had and would now like to have more of. Words like perfect got tossed around, delicious honey and golden grahams were also used
.
A few other beers may have been had, but either notes weren't taken or the tasting panel had fallen apart otherwise or I just can't remember. But I don't think I'll be spending any more money on sour ales in the near future. They were expensive, and hearing everybody (including myself) bag on them, left well a sour taste in my mouth. Hops on the other hand, well, always well liked.
glad are bourbon instead of brandy, plus two extras I've never had! It was really nice for the company to stand up and do the right thing, I'm glad they did.
ind it kind of odd. The other big gun, well that of course had to be the Ballast Point Sculpin, and talk about living up to the hype. Like Nugget Nectar times 20 is my best descriptor. So crisp and fruity, such beautiful fruit flavors, best IPA ever?
dible ager. I also picked up a good amount of Old Rasputin XII. Which I sampled last night, and let me tell you was quite the bourbon-barrel aged stout. beautiful notes of everything you want with a harsh edge that will mellow and integrate beautifully with some age; glad I got a lot. Last but not least, Pliny the Elder filled out the remaining package. This pinnacle west coast DIPA is everything you'd imagine it would be and quite earning of its top 10 status across most beer websites. I was slightly heartbroken to miss out on the Bruery Papier, which is a 14.5% barrel-aged old ale. But hey, I'll find a way.
t of the best beers you could ever find. It's known because of its rare availability and of course because of its monstrous taste. This beer is a monster, and let me tell you this is the best tasting beer I might ever have had. So thick and rich, such beautifully scented dark harmony. If I didn't live so far I could see myself going every year to Dark Lord Day, wait how far? This beer is just absolutely incredible, it's like chocolate fudge oatmeal. Indescribable chocolate flavors, with that signature Three Floyds fruity end. Darkness just ensues on the palette and this beer never lets up. I would seek this beer out again for sure, and yes it is worth the hype.
e, maybe it was the massive hype, but it was kind of a let down. Lacked body and initial depth. It was good, it wasn't bad just not worth all the hype I thought. Definitely worth a try and still happy for having traded for it, but I wouldn't trade for it again.
that counts for a lot. Flavors of wood-smoked caramel apple, vanilla, oak, honey, hops, tobacco and smoke. As it warms it seems to lose its initial scent of bourbon and takes on an almost hop related smell still accentuated largely by the caramel malt bill. Bourbon is still there in full flavor and finish. Alcohol is at no point overbearing, especially at room temp. The beer is so smooth -- its fizzy up front but turns smooth as silk with its instant dissipating action. These, people, are adjectives of on
e incredible beer. Thanks to this trader!
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