Ophion
Hermitage Brewing

 

 

 

a mighty strange one, all of the wild stuff we had at hermitage was truly weird, but in a good way for the most part. like the others, this is unlike anything else anyone else is doing from what i can gather, a wood aged wild beer at an absurd abv, this one a little less refined it seems than the wild porter, but every bit as mature from a yeast standpoint. its both funky and sour, a good mix of both, and there is a ton of wood on it, which does contribute a tannic white wine element, but its also got the new oak lumbery vanilla character to it, fresh milled, untoasted. the alcohol is a little exposed in this hazy peach colored brew, its hot in nose and taste, and it also has a ton of body from what is presumably wheat malt, heavy beer with heavy flavors in a style where quality and being delicate are often closely associated, at least for my palate. i get a floral element to this, maybe a honey quality, also apricot and white raspberry shades of tartness and dried fruitiness together, heaps of oak, sturdy for sure, and a lot of bretty funk here as well as acidity, tastes well aged, complex, but also a little sloppy, but not yeast sloppy, that part is expert, its a strange brew and one i couldnt exactly figure out in a single glass. these guys had some really crazy wild ales working, sophisticated stuff. more bubbles and dryness would help here, but you have to admire it whether you like it or not. truly original beer!