Sango Kölsch
Bear Republic Brewing Co.

 

i like the idea better than the execution on this one, and i think they have done a whole series of these kolsch beers aged in different wine barrels. this is the only one i have had, and i love the flavor, but overall its a little underwhelming, mostly to do with the feel. sort of a shiny brass color from the tap, a little darker than a normal kolsch as a result of the barrel treatment, but almost dead still, lifeless in the wine glass. aroma is nice, as i was not expecting a wild component to this, but it has a real funk that hits the nose right away, tangy too, big wine coming through such a light beer, i think thats neat. lots of wood in the flavor too, even ahead of the wine, sweet new tasting oak, some tannins, vanilla, red apple, and some of the light german malt. the base beer is almost overpowered by the barrel, and thats even before the wild yeast element comes in to play, which is super funky, musty, and weird in a good way, contributing just a bit of complimentary acidity. if this were highly carbonated, it would be amazing, but these flavors i dont think go well in a flat beer, its really lacking for me. good flavors, but it never comes together on the whole. I bet this improves the next time they do it...

A: Super Bretty with lots of funk and barnyard, light fruitiness, coupled with a light vinous tart aroma.

A: Light copper with a red/pinkish huge, totally clear, with a moderate white head that has solid retention. Some lacing left in the glass.

T: Lot of brett, very funk and barnyard, lightly crisp with a moderate fruitiness, light bitterness, with a bit of a vinous tart flavor. The beer finishes super dry.

M: Medium-light bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Pretty solid; a bit heavy on the brett, but the kolsch developed a nice lightly tart vinous note from the Sangiovese barrels.