Bottle, 500 shared with Miro B, Max and Miro. Hazy golden, white head. Funky, fruit, citrus, vinous, some grapes, medium carbonation. Medium bodied.

BL z wczoraj, z uwagi na okolicznosci towarzyskie tylko ogolne wrazenia wyrazone gwiazdkami

'Old' ale aged in a cognac barrel, from this interesting craft brewery in Nova Scotia, Canada. Brewed three years ago, released last winter. Medium thick, mousy, lightly lacing, pale greyish beige, breaking head, quickly reduced to a steady mousy ring and an intricate 'map'-like pattern in the middle; misty deep chestnut brown robe with ruddy bronze-reddish glow. Quite complex bouquet of sour plums, blackberries, old dusty wooden cupboards, faded 'vanilla'-like oakiness, musty acorn shells and dry forest floor, sherry or even red wine vinegar, sour cream, madera, toffee, dry tea bags, passionfruit, wet tree leaves and indeed a background whiff of sweet boozy-caramelly cognac. Lactic sour, fruity onset, a bit puckering even at first, hinting at sour grapes, plums, redcurrant and blackberries, with a sweeter fig-like undertone, medium carbonated; full, smooth, bit vinous mouthfeel, an ongoing lactic tartness drying a toffeeish, brown-bready and somewhat walnutty malt sweetness with a very slight toasty bitterish tail. Strong drying tannins at the back, very woody but only vaguely vanilla-like in scent, yet managing to tie everything together in a beautifully complex, long finish showcasing elements of sour 'dark' fruitiness (blackberry), earthiness, woodiness, a herbal hop bitterish accent down below, bready yeast effects and old nut shells, bathing in a glow of perfectly dosed alcohol warmth, more sherry-like than cognac-like. The cognac does reveal itself briefly in the nose and that is enough for me; this is a perfectly balanced, complex beer, yet very clearly this sour ale brewery's house yeast turned it into an 'oud bruin' rather than an old ale, albeit at - for the style - rather excessive strength. It seems that the 'Belgian' part of it overrules the English part, but even with that misleading 'old ale' moniker, one cannot be harsh on such a hidden gem of a beer. Beautifully structured, deep and highly drinkable in spite of its complexity and strength, this is one of the best 'oud bruin' style beers I had in a long time. Very tempting to buy more from this to me unknown brewery...

Flaska från Etre Gourmete drucken med ölföreningen. Disig ljusgul vätska. Frisk och lätt syrlig, aprikoser, örter, gräs, brett, saisonjäst. Mycket trevlig.

Hapu, aprikoosid, puuviljane, natuke mõrkjas ja herbaalne, funk. Täitsa hea.