Le Grand Whiner
Town Hall Brewery

 

 

On tap at the brewpub. Served in a Town Hall Chalice glass.

Appearance: Color is a deep and cloudy brownish amber. Moderate amount of bubbles and a big three finger off white head that slowly recedes into a thin creamy layer. Leaves some good lacing.

Smell: Wow they weren't kidding about the red wine barrels. Huge upfront aroma of red wine with big hints of sour and tart cherries along with some wood and vinegar. Pretty acidic as well. Belgian yeast with some hints of funk, pepper, and clove. Toasted malts with hints of caramel, toffee, toast, grains, and biscuit. Dark fruit hints of raisin, fig, prune, and plum. Slight hint of candied sugar. Very forward with the wine presence.

Taste: Like the aroma indicates, a huge wine presence along with some Belgian yeast and dark fruit. Big red wine barrel presence upfront with notes of tart and sour cherries, wood, vinegar, and some acid. Belgian yeast with some funk and spice including pepper and clove. Toasted malt with notes of toffee, caramel, grains, biscuit, and toast. Sweet note of candied sugar. Dark fruit undertones with notes of raisin, plum, fig, and prune. Again very red wine dominate.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with a medium to high level of carbonation. Juicy, tart, acidic, and fairly puckering. Finishes somewhat dry. A little alcohol heat is felt.

Overall: A very interesting and solid spin on a dark Belgian. Probably the biggest wine barrel presence I've tasted yet. There's just enough of the yeast and malt presence to remind you its a beer.