Extra Brune Barricata
Maltus Faber

Terrific Belgian style ale that puts U.S makers of Belgian style ales to shame.

As close to Westmalle,Chimay and St. Bernardus as I have found.

Pours an opaque dark chocolate brown color with a one finger beige headvthat quickly settles into a lasting ring. Streaks of spotty lacing left behind.

Funky, vinous aroma with a strong red wine barrel presence complimented by sweet malt notes from the base beer. There's a slight acetic/solvent presence but it doesn't interfere too much with the other notes. Some dry toasted oak and a prominent red wine presence. Lots of vinous dark grapes and other berries. Underneath, there's some caramel, toffee and cocoa.

Medium bodied with soft carbonation and some tart acidity complimenting the barrel character and sweet malt notes. The barrel character is very prominent with some dry, toasted oak and a strong red wine/dark fruit presence. On the verge of becoming too sweet but there is some nice roasted malt flavor from the base beer. Hints of toast, coffee, toast and cocoa countering the sweet fruit and oak barrel. There's also just a touch of acetic vinegar creeping in but it doesn't affect the flavor very much.

I randomly picked this up at a grocery store in Tuscany and it was a very pleasant surprise. I wasn't familiar with this brewery before buying this bottle but after drinking this I'm looking forward to trying some more of their offerings.

Extra Brune after 6 months in wine oaks. The result is a very complex belgian strong dark similar to the original version but with a particular wood and red-wine touch that give it also a very small sour note. Another great beer from this microbrewery!