Fine Creek - Wine Barrel Aged Golden Sour
This Golden Sour was fermented in our open top fermenter for two months before being transferred to Francis Coppola Diamond Claret wine barrels for a 10 month maturation. The barrels layered this beer with notes of mixed berries, red wine, oaky tannins, and vanilla. Meanwhile our golden sour culture brought a bright acidity and flavors of lemon and fresh pineapple, creating a beer that combines deeper wine barrel tones with a refreshing tart palate and a dry and tannic finish.
5.5%
From a corked 500ml bottle from the brewery.
This beer has won multiple medals at Virginia competitions and I think I read somewhere that it won a silver at a National Comp. Can't find it right now. Will have to search some more.
Pours a beautiful gold, of course, with very fine carbonation that lingered for a while.
Opened and started with some Brie and grapes. Delightful. Can definitely taste the Claret barrels. Tart, sweet, smooth. Nothing "beer" about this beer.
I would give it a good 3, not New Glarus level but up there. Would definitely recommend if you like sours, which I do.
"That young man has an extra step on his ladder the rest of us just don't have."
This one might be interesting to sip:
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[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Yes, I had 4 of them. Sent one to RJ, kept one, and you and fuse got the others. I know not everyone is into sours as much as I am but thought this one was worth trying.
They also make a variation with pear and persimmon that I may pick up some time. I love this brewery, BTW, way out in Powhatan. Log cabin-esque feel, sitting out on the porch. They grow some of their ingredients right there. Nice folks. I like supporting them.
I also picked up a 4-pack of their Citrus Honey Saison which I think I shared with everyone. I haven't tried it yet. Should be good.
"That young man has an extra step on his ladder the rest of us just don't have."
Inventoried this morning.
Twenty seven unique and mostly new to me beers! 👀
Still not sure I know where to start.
First world problems. 🍻
From memory, no notes.
Pretty rich, dense head into a snifter.
Poured a clear gold.
Nose was definitely mango, with a bit of floral and pine notes.
First sip was smooth, a fair bit of luscious mango with a mildly bitter finish.
Not sure I picked up any vanilla, and whatever level of lactose was added gave a smooth, rich mouthfeel.
9% ABV, and didn’t drink like it.
Glad to have tried it.
Sounds like the one RJ kept for himself was spoiled if there was brett/funk notes. This beer was pretty clean.
Best part of the experience was the company.
Beer is always better with friends.
Thanks RJ, and thanks devildeac!
Skol! 🍻
That is pretty funny. The description sent by the beer club mentioned nothing of the brett/funk sour notes I definitely got. Mine probably was spoiled somehow from the shipping. But these flavors worked strangely. It was a weird beer but not bad and the mango in mine tasted fresh. I was curious to see what y'all thought. I enjoyed mine but wasn't sure what to make of it.
The other sour beer included in the shipment was not good. It wasn't bad, but it just tasted like a very ordinary sour, like wicked weed but worse, with literally nothing else going on.
These monks produce quite a variety:
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[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Not sure how this is different than the Trappist IPA I mentioned yesterday:
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[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Good gracious!
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Monks and puns. Shameless. Oh, wait...
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Beautiful clear brown pour.
Transient head.
My nose is shot (thanks allergies), I get a lot ot caramel and wheat bread in the nose.
The Fat Tire is an interesting comparison, missing the sharp twang I associate with Fat Tire.
Going in the way back machine, evokes memories of Carolina Brewery’s Amber.
Malt focused, with just enough hops to keep Satan’s Pony from being unbalanced.
Really just works- an enjoyable sipping beer for any occasion.
Since I didn’t get an exact mapping, I’ll give a thanks to Nrrvous specifically, and again to the Compass Rose Crew!
Skol! 🍻
Getting near the end of the list for US Trappist beers from Spencer:
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I've gotta say, they brew quite a variety of beverages in addition to making jams/jellies to support themselves and the monastery.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Whoever (and I think it was several of you) recommended Backwoods Bastard from Founders - Thank you!
Beautiful and delicious. Just what I needed after an entire afternoon spent underneath a bathroom sink! (Started with just replacing the ancient faucet, went downhill from there) But it's done and I'm done and this Backwoods Bastard is about to be done!
"That young man has an extra step on his ladder the rest of us just don't have."