La Bestia Aimable Cabernet Barrel Aged
Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling

 

 

 

Poured into a sniffer at Flying Saucer in San Antonio

Appearance: Dark mahogany with red hues and a thin white head that fades into a ring around the side of the glass.

Aroma: Fruity aroma that is reminiscent of cherries, plum and wine like qualities with a touch of vanilla.

Taste: Oak, dark fruit, slightly sour and tart acidic characteristics with a hint of vanilla and figs.

Mouthfeel: light body with low carbonation and a dry acidic finish.

Overall: I enjoyed this version a lot more than their regular offering. I think the barrel added some nice characteristics and gave it a more vinous quality.

An 8 oz pour in a highball glass at Whip In in Austin on 7/1/11.

Cloudy red-brown with little head and some lace. Lambic like aroma: oak, sour cherries, and some sugar. A fair amount of acidity with a light body and low carbonation. The flavor is a cross between a strong ale and lambic. Some astringency, some acidity, noticeable oak when compared to the non-barrel aged La Bestia. Enough sugar to take the edge off the acidity. Surprising somewhat bitter finish.

From a gravity cask at Anvil in Houston.

A: Pours a cloudy reddish/brown color. A two finger beige head forms with good retention. Some lace is left behind as well.
S: Vinous grape aromas up front and center. Lightly acidic with a huge fruity aroma that lingers on. Cherries, apples, plums. Some wood aromas as well. Excellent.
T: Follows the nose. Vinous and lightly tart/acidic. Tons of fruity flavors. Grapes. cherries, apples, plums. Plenty of wood flavors and some vanilla sweetness lingers. I love it.
M/D: A full body with good carbonation. Impressive considering this is a gravity cask. Creamy, smooth, and velvety at the same time. So easy to drink. I can sip on this all day.

Incredible, like the Port barrel aged version this has so many complexities, and so easy to drink at the same time. Well done Ranger Creek, and highly recommended.

On tap at the Whip In in Austin.

The beer pours a dark brown color with a tan head. The aroma is full of candy sugar as well a lot of red wine notes. I get some nice cherry and grape notes as well as a little bit of toffee malt. The flavor is more of the same. The cabernet barrel aging really comes through with a lot of dry red wine notes. The dark fruit really stands out and there is a little bit of toffee and caramel. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.