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[expand]Total Score: 40/50
Oaky tannins and vanilla up front with light lactic sourness. No hop aroma. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Oaky tannins and vanilla up front with light lactic sourness. No hop aroma. No DMS or diacetyl. Fruity esters reminiscent of figs and raisins. Bit of chocolate in the melanoidin-like malt. Some alcohol evident. Very complex and inviting. (10/12)
Appearance: Quite dark amber with a bit of haze. Rocky, tan head with good retention. Nice looking beer. (3/3)
Flavor: Smooth lactic sourness up front and in the finish accompanied by lingering oakiness of tannins and vanilla. No hop flavor. Moderate balancing hop bitterness. Fruitiness and malt are restrained with rich melanoidins and notes of figs and raisins. Alcohol is not evident. Finish is dry and complex. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Well carbonated. Medium to medium-thin body. Acidity and carbonation lighten the mouthfeel. Low alcohol warming. Smooth with some sharpness from lactic acidity. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Complexity and balance are the hallmarks of the very drinkable oud bruin. Alcohol is quite subtle throughout. Maltiness is a bit thin for the style and could benefit from more toffee and caramel notes also contributing to body. Instead the acidity seems to be challenging the oak from barrel aging for dominance. Still very enjoyable and refreshing as an aperitif, equally with sausages or cheeses. (8/10)
Total Score: (40/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 41/50
Continually changes in the glass and through the bottle. At first the aroma promised more fruit and sweetness than the flavor delivered. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Very complex mélange with burnt currants, tart cherry, and pronounced vanilla bourbon barrel component. A moderately low lactic sourness is present. Malt is a background character, chocolate covered toffee-like with a bit of sherry. No hop aroma or diacetyl. (10/12)
Appearance: Brown, somewhat hazy with just a light layer of light tan foam that persists but does not form a head. (2/3)
Flavor: Chocolate and bourbon barrel dominate the initial impression, followed by a prominent clean lactic sourness, then lots of woody oak. No hop flavor; bitterness is barely detectable. Balance is toward the sourness, though does not completely overpower burnt currant and plum fruit that serve as background notes. As the beer warms a bit, notes of fresh cured tobacco and leather emerge, adding another layer of complexity. A low acidity plays on the tongue as well. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with creamy carbonation. A low alcohol warmth accentuates the moderately high oak tannin, giving an impression of a rather dry finish. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Continually changes in the glass and through the bottle. At first the aroma promised more fruit and sweetness than the flavor delivered. Dominant characteristics vacillated between vanilla-bourbon and lactic sourness with woody oak, both balanced with a chocolate-covered cherry fruitiness in the back. Definitely meddles with the palate, and exhibits more complexity as it warms. A little more sherry might help balance the rather pronounced oak. (8/10)
Total Score: (41/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Great job on crafting one of the more difficult styles to brew. The aroma was a little skewed toward the acetic character, but the flavor was closer to what I would expect in terms of the balance between more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Acetic notes are prominent at the outset, persisting as some of the malt characteristics percolate through the foam. I pick up nuttiness, dark chocolate, and a hint of roast. The caramel character is understated compared to classic examples, but this is partly because the balance is skewed toward acetic acid. Subtle notes of dried cherries and dark fruit exist in the background. (7/12)
Appearance: Dark brown with a creamy, off-white head that lasts. Great work on the conditioning! The clarity is also spectacular. (3/3)
Flavor: The acetic character comes through powerfully here as well, but the balance is better than in the aroma. Pleasant dark fruit and sour cherry notes that, with the malt, give the sweet-and-sour character that exemplifies this style. The malt components include caramel, bittersweet chocolate, walnuts (including some of the bitterness), raisins, and plums. The finish is off-dry with a moderate bitterness, but seems to be derived more from the dark malts and acetic acid than hops. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: The creaminess is medium due to an appropriately high carbonation level and some residual sugars. A moderate astringency with a somewhat chalky character coats the mouth. A little alcoholic warmth is also evident. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Great job on crafting one of the more difficult styles to brew. The aroma was a little skewed toward the acetic character, but the flavor was closer to what I would expect in terms of the balance between the malt and fermentation character. (8/10)
Total Score: (39/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Woody-oaky nose suggests barrel aging. Finely textured and layered aromatics: light milk chocolate, vanilla, dark cherries, and acidity. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Woody-oaky nose suggests barrel aging. Finely textured and layered aromatics: light milk chocolate, vanilla, dark cherries, and acidity. Moderate maltiness, more malty-rich than malty-sweet. Light alcohol warming on the nose. Complex, interesting. (9/12)
Appearance: Tall head, tan colored, frothy, persisted well. Pretty mahogany-brown color. Opaque. Hazy when held to a light. (2/3)
Flavor: Moderately sour initially with fruity flavors—cherries and a hint of orange, and a fairly strong oaky-woody flavor. Medium-low bitterness. The malt flavor is fairly strong—rich with light caramel, some chocolate and stone fruit. Malty-sweet finish is more than matched by the bitterness, acidity, and oaky tannins. Malt, fruit, and oak in the finish and aftertaste. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Very high carbonation. Medium to medium-full body. Lightly warming—deceptive for its strength. Some oaky tannins provide a bit of astringency. Acidity and tannins keep the mouth active. (4/5)
Overall Impression: The barrel character is not really traditional for Belgian versions. As an American interpretation, it might do better in a specialty or wood-aged category. A bit high in gravity for a Belgian as well. However, it does retain the balance and feel for the style. The acidity level and character are absolutely superb. Great malt complexity, although not quite as much intensity and caramel qualities as Belgian examples. I probably took off 5 or 6 points for the oaky/barrel character, so you can see how good a beer this is given the score. (8/10)
Total Score: (38/50)
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