De Cam Malus Domestica Lambicus

Brewery: Geuzestekerij De Cam
Country: Belgium
ABV: 7%
Style: Lambic – Fruit
Other Notes: 2018 vintage

Brewer Description: (from bottle in Dutch) In Gooikse velden rijpen de mooiste appels die samen met lambiek vergisten tot deze Pajotse cider. Deze variëteit van appels levert intense extra smaak aan de lambiek die vergist op houten vaten. 45kg op 100 liter jonge lambiek.

(translated to English) The most beautiful apples ripen in Gooikse fields and ferment together with lambic into this Pajotse cider. This variety of apples provides intense extra flavor to the lambic fermented in wooden barrels. 45 kg on 100 liters of young lambic.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.24
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.1

Intro: A 750ml corked and caged bottle, 2018 vintage, with a best before date of August 2041. Poured into a De Cam stemmed glass.
Appearance: A slow gusher upon popping the cork, but it poured a nice hazy golden straw yellow colour with a slightly more than one finger pillowy fluffy white head that had good retention, while leaving only some sparse lacing.
Aroma: Tart, green apple, apple skin, oak, lemon zest, peach, hay and funk.
Taste: Moderately sour, tart, green apple, apple skin, oak, lemon, citrus sherbet, funk, with light stone fruit notes.
Mouthfeel: Dry, medium bodied with high carbonation.
Overall: Very enjoyable and easy to drink with a good balance of fruit, sour and funk.

Odd Breed Agronomics of Squander

Brewery: Odd Breed Wild Ales
Country: USA
ABV: 6.5%
Style: Wild Ale
Other Notes: Wild Ale with Blackberries and Blackcurrants

Brewer Description: (from bottle) This brew was blended from two Sangiovese puncheons of our turbid mashed wild ales; half was barrel aged for eight months and half was aged 16 months. We refermented and conditioned the blend on over 700 pounds of blackberries and blackcurrants for three months. Blackcurrants lend bright acidity with flavors reminiscent of passionfruit and black raspberries with plenty of tannins, while the blackberries lend some sweetness and jam-like notes with earthy undertones. Our mixed culture adds some funk and nuance to this fruit forward wild fruit ale.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.01
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.9

Intro: A 750ml corked and capped bottle, bottled on 5th June 2020. Poured into a 3 Fonteinen stemmed glass.
Appearance: A hazy strawberry red with a slight orange hue, and a two finger pinkish head that dissipated quite quickly to a thin replenishing cap, while leaving only sparse lacing.
Aroma: Lightly tart, Ribena, blackcurrant, blackberry, jammy, with nice woody notes.
Taste: Sour, tart, blackcurrant, berry seeds, oak, blackberry, and a touch jammy.
Mouthfeel: Acidic, medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: The aroma was wonderful, but taste while having great fruity flavours, was on the borderline of being overly sour and acidic for me. I’m also not getting much, if any, funk, which I think would have helped balanced the sour and acidity.

Deschutes The Abyss

Brewery: Deschutes Brewery
Country: USA
ABV: 11.1%
Style: American Imperial Stout
Other Notes: 2016 Reserve

Brewer Description: (from bottle) It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s mysterious. This imperial stout has immeasurable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich, complex profile. The flavor of this special brew draws you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey.

Imperial Stout brewed with black strap molasses and licorice, dry spiced with cherry bark and vanilla bean, 21% aged in oak bourbon barrels, 21% aged in oak wine barrels, and 8% aged in new Oregon oak barrels.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.38
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.3

Intro: A 22 fl. oz. bomber, 2016 Reserve, bottled on 8th December 2016. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Very dark brown to black in colour with a nice one finger brown head that had decent retention, while leaving lots of nice spotty lacing.
Aroma: Dark malt, moderate roast, chocolate, sweet notes, licorice, molasses, bourbon, oak.
Taste: Light bitterness, roasted malts, dark chocolate, light char, sweet notes, brown sugar, licorice, molasses, oak and bourbon on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, smooth, full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: An excellent classic Imperial Stout with lots of great flavours and not too sweet. A wonderful and enjoyable sipper.

3 Sons Slice of Life

Brewery: 3 Sons Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 12%
Style: Sour Ale – Pastry
Other Notes: Collaboration with Boneflower Craft Mead Co.

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Tequila barrel aged key lime pie sour with meadowfoam honey, lime zest & graham crackers.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.27
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.2

Intro: A 750ml bottle, 2020 vintage. Poured into a 3 Fonteinen stemmed glass.
Appearance: A lightly hazy golden colour with a one finger white head that dissipated fairly quickly while leaving only sparse lacing.
Aroma: Dessert like, very light tartness, strong graham cracker, shredded coconut, caramel, with light notes of vanilla, honey, marshmallow, and candied lime.
Taste: Liquid dessert or cocktail, moderately sweet, lightly tart, tequila, candied lime, marshmallow, graham cracker, shredded coconut.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Pleasantly surprised and really unexpected in a good way. I suppose the reason is that I had no idea what to expect even after reading the description. But this really worked, and everything from the description just seemed to meld together, and it’s like drinking a liquid dessert. At 12% ABV, any alcohol is really well hidden, and perhaps my only negative, is that after drinking half a bottle, it does start to feel quite sweet, so share the bottle and enjoy!