The Rare Barrel Avec des Amis

Rich fruit character, though not distinctly cherry; also Brett, wood, and earth. Lack of head suggests wine. Oak character adds pleasant light spiciness, with fruit fermentation esters; tart, with berry notes. Subtle yet complex.

Nose is full of pear, honey, very light oak, a touch of mint, and mild funk. Then the beer changes gears, and the flavor has a completely different character with the grape beginning to show its face. Sourness is medium and bright and plays well with the grapes. Low funk. Very drinkable and yet very complex.

The nose suggests dried peaches. Subtle funk-forward acidity. A bit of potpourri-like woodiness carries forward into the flavor where the peachiness is a more pronounced but is more like peach fruit leather. Light funky tannic bitterness from Brett. The bitter, astringent wood character is a detractor, dominating the finish.