Tart Side of the Barrel - Blackberry
Brewery Vivant

Neither experimentation nor reinvention every subside in the craft beer world. Brewery Vivant take the their stout to the sour side, and in this one fell swoop, release a few blackberry infused bottles to add yet more complexity, charm and succulence.

The Blackberry version of Tart side of the Moon (Scratch that, i.e. Barrel), leads to a very dark mauve, ruby and purple hue turning nearly black through the center. A scant head reveals a host of jaw tightening aromatics that flood the senses with toasted fruit, succulent berries, red wine, balsamic and a weathered barrel earthiness. Succulent fruitiness is deep and sweet, blending with the cobbler-like taste of malt seamlessly.

But the ale explodes with flavor as it washes over the middle palate. Berry, black cherry, blackcurrant, red grape, blueberry, apple and lime all take turns teasing the palate with a plethora of fruit. Backed with a light toasted char of coffee, cocoa and roasted pecan, and a robust succulence emerges in a very non-stout kind of way. A light and woodsy bitterness brings more of a coffee tone to the late palate as the vinous taste of sherry, balsamic and cider stew unapologetically.

Brazen sourness is tempered by the lasting sweetness and toasted malts, allowing both complexity and balance to control the finish. A medium length aftertaste of oak, nuttiness and soured wine bring a funk and cellar mustiness in a brief echo afterwards.

 

A variation of Tart Side of the Barrel with added black raspberry juice. The juice addition dropped the ABV by a full point, so it must have been a fair amount diluting the beer. The result is fabulous, with the exception of a thinner, somewhat watered-down mouthfeel that I suppose is expected. Otherwise, one of the highlights of my visit to Grand Rapids.