La Folie - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
New Belgium Brewing Company

December 25th, 2020 - Accompanying me in the quiet of a Christmas Day night is the debut of Pixar's Soul on Disney+ (wonderful film, and more purely "Pixar" than Onward) and this Bourbon Barrel-Aged La Folie. I haven't had a vintage of La Folie since a 2015 edition last year, and I can't remember ever having any touched by the inside of a barrel. But like the base beer - of any year - this is exceptional, and worth anchoring to a special occasion. The aroma is absolutely top shelf, with oak, droplets of cherry juice, a woody base note and a robust acidity and energy that adds vim and vigor to the mixture of dark and bright notes. Lighter bodied, it is surprisingly easy to drink even though the acidity transfers the soul of the beer to the palate at a high bitrate. Taking a well crafted sour ale and the bourbon barrel strength and sharpness is a master stroke.