Style: Saison/Farmhouse (Mixed Culture w/ Fruit)

ABV: 11.0 IBU: 20.0

90/100
Aroma: 12
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 17
Mouthfeel: 5

The Rare Barrel Blurred with Pinot Noir Grapes

What the brewers say

Mixed-fermentation beer aged in oak barrels with pinot noir grapes.

What our panel thought

Floral, dry Bordeaux nose mingles with light oak, licorice, and a waft of cellar-funk—restrained, overall. Flavor is decidedly vinous, with light jammy sweetness drying into an oaky finish. Alcoholic warmth doesn’t fit well, hindering drinkability. Grape-forward.

What our editors thought

Spicy blackberry and cranberry nose with earthy blueberry sweetness. The sip rides an exacting line between sweet and dry, holding that tenuous tannin-fruit balance. It truly works, bending technique in the service of flavor—a hybrid greater than the sum of its parts.

Review printed in: Beyond Beer: Hard Seltzer, Hard Kombucha, and More (Apr-May 2021) (View All Issues)


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Black Project Supercruise Cab Sauv

Aroma: “Crisp and inviting. Some nice grape, pear, and cherry, followed by genuine cellar funk, woody earthiness, and a slight lemon tartness.” Flavor: “Well blended. There is a really fun balance between some nice sweetness, some earthiness, a little funk, and a light tartness. The fruit character of grapes, a little cherry, some strawberry, also has notes of peanuts, wine cork, oak ,and vanilla. Quite acidic overall with a sticky mouthfeel, but finishes great without the punishing dryness of over-attenuation.” Overall: “The fruit and wild fermentation characters are the primary qualities, and each express depth and nuance. Not much in the way of beer character—the strong acidity and lingering sweetness cover that up for the most part.”

Black Project OXCART (2018)

Subtle and restrained funkiness on the nose with notes of leather, oak, lemon, peach, and horse blanket. This is paired with a soft grainy malt body and slightly tart finish. Refreshing and crisp with delicate fermentation notes. Really well-done.

Yeast of Eden Oodelallie (2018)

Oaky, earthy, wine-like nose marries with raspberry, blackberry, cherry, and mint. Fruit integrates well with barnyard leather, hay, subtle lemongrass. Pronounced citric acidity, not easy to drink; earthy berry-like flavors arrive late. Cucumber note in dry finish.

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