Barrel aged blonde by this interesting new project in West Flanders, specializing in the locally native 'oud bruin' style, bottle from De Picker in Zele. Towering high, foamy, egg-white, densely pillowy, plaster-like lacing, very stable head on an initially clear, deep orange-glowing 'old golden' beer with fierce swirls of sparkling rushing upwards, sustaining the head; lightly misty and deeper 'metallic' orange with sediment. Intriguing aroma of fermenting apple, passionfruit, glazed pear, dusty attic, dry earth, apple vinegar, hints of candied pineapple, sweet sherry, dried orange peel, oxidized rosé wine, buttermilk, green kiwi, balsamico, dessert wine, gooseberry, old blonde sugar, Turkish delight, sour cream, old cardboard and a sweaty touch (even sweaty feet) silently creeping in when warming up but remaining very subtle. Fruity onset, very spritzy with lots of minerally, though not too harshly stinging carbonation, estery notes of fermenting apple and pear, gooseberry and yellow plum drizzled with passionfruit juice, smooth body, rounded and full; caramelly and brioche-bready maltiness under ongoing autumn fruit impressions and gently dried by sour cream-like lactic acidity, with the drying effect becoming stronger in the finish when pronounced woody tannins set in, paired with oxidized and even fortified wine (sweet sherry) effects and that typical vanilla-like oak wood scent. Some earthiness in the end, but generally remaining very focused and clean, with a fruity lactic sourness lingering behind, assuming an almost passionfruity and citric character in combination with a honeyish sugar residue. The woodiness meanwhile goes on an on. Lovely beer, apparently a blend of barrel-aged blonde ale so a kind of 'oud blond' rather than 'oud bruin' - think of Bavik's classic Petrus Aged Pale for comparison, but at lower strength; some of Alvinne's blonde sours also (strongly!) spring to mind (Cuvée Sofie, Phi etc.), which I would consider a compliment. Very elegant sour ale, in any case, no extravagant frills or additions here, just clean, sleek and 'honest'. Very good, much better than expected even - this Sosab brand, a side project of the already established Beer Society, is a Belgian newcomer to be reckoned with, it seems.

Dark blond colour, white foam. Nose of lemon, berries, balsamic vinegar, ripe fruit. Tart and sweet taste. Very nice!