Strong wild ale aged on bourbon casks by long-time craft brewer Jopen, thanks to Craftmember for sharing. Large-bubbled, medium thick, off-white, slowly opening head on a crystal clear, orangey peach-golden robe remaining clear till the end (filtered). Aroma of dried apricots, preserved peaches, vanillin-breathing oak wood, sweet bourbon piercing through, haystack, old leather, rainwater, goat stable and goat cheese, dried orange peel, stale sweat, sour white grapes. Fruity onset in an 'orderly' manner: sweetish with a soft tart edge, a tad citric even, hinting at dried apricot, persimmon and yellow plum, softishly carbonated with slick, bit vinous mouthfeel. Rounded cereally maltiness with a slight biscuity edge, remaining restrainedly sweetish with that mellow sourish side to it, increasingly dried by tannic woodiness (including retronasal oak-vanilla) but also with a mild dose of sweaty, hay- and leather-like Bretty funk, followed by bittersweet, warming (yet not harshly boozy) bourbon and bittering, drying, earthy hops. Quite layered, very drinkable and smooth wild ale, with the bourbon well integrated without overpowering; yet I do wonder why they filtered it and thus skimp on complexity and naturalness - maybe they got too many gushers, who knows... In any case inviting enough to seek out the number two in this series, which was apparently aged on wine barrels - and should therefore be a very different beer altogether.

Bottle from Nettorama supermarket (special action). Rare Wild Ale from Jopen so as a Brett lover I had to try this one. Color: Slightly hazy orangish golden, white head. Aroma: Malty, Brett and Bourbon notes. Taste: Malty, mix of funky leathery Brett, sweetish and boozy Bourbon and oak wood. Warming and smooth mouthfeel. Just over medium body, below average carbonation. Medium sweet, light bitterness. Not very special but well made overall. Curious to try the Moscatel BA version (Wild Ones #02)