Belgian Style Red
Blue Pants Brewery

Given to me by a trading partner many years ago, found in the back of my sours when moving.

Pours a light fizzy head that fades instantly, murky maroon brown color.

Nose brings loads of buttery oak, like buttery oak city and wine barrel, a little Roselaire like funkiness and sourness with mild bacteria acidity, a little tart cherry, mild wine vinegar and fresh burgandy like red wine.

Taste brings tart malt like a mild Oude Bruin brownish sweeter malt that was fermented with some bacteria, a little acidity but can't pick which, little plum and sour cherry like fruits, more wine barrel with a little vinous red wine and some toasted buttery oak but much less that the aroma, flemmy acidity and brown sweet malts combined, candy notes as well, and a little funk.

Mouth is med bod a bit syrupy, some booze warmth, and very little carbonation.

Overall started nice, but taste dropped off, maybe it sat too long, but I just think it was like this from the beginning, but still an interesting beer to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a goblet.

A - Light to medium brown color with a significant red tinge. Slightly hazy. Head is off-white. It starts out as a thin but surface-covering layer that slowly fades to a thin, irregular sheet of almost microscopic bubbles with scattered large bubbles. Some lacing on the glass. A very good looking beer.

S - The dominant aroma is from the yeast, sharp and slightly sour like a traditional Belgian Red. There is definite oak in there, along with a definite sherry note. I'm transported to Belgium! Well done.

T - The flavors are of sweet graham cracker malt mixed with a sharp, tart aged character. Again, there is definite oak presence. No overt hops flavors, but there is enough bitterness to offset the sweet malt. Fairly dry finish.

M - Thin to medium body. Low carbonation; just a smoothness on the tongue, really. Alcohol burn melds with the hops bitterness.

O - This beer hits many of the right buttons for a Belgian Red. My only negative comment is that it is a bit one-dimensional with the sharpness of the fermentation character. Some subtlety and complexity would improve this beer. Nevertheless, as a long-time fan of this style, I was pleasantly surprised by this Alabama version.

 

 

 

 

Poured from 22 oz bottle into tulip glass.

A: Pours a deep cloudy mahogany red with one to two finger off white head. Lots of nice sticky lacing.

S: Red wine mixed, fall spices, and Belgian yeast. Sour grapes.

T: The red wine influences here are prominent providing just a bit of tartness and fruity backbone. There is a nice underlying spice complexity which I assume comes from the barrel aging.

M: Medium body and nicely carbonated. Reminds me a bit of a glass of wine.

O: A nice change of pace. The base is a solid Belgian style ale, and the barrel aging adds a nice twist.