Fruity Cedar Box
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

L: Dark blackberry color with a brownish red head and fingers of lacing lingering on the glass.

S: Tart blackberry and blueberry and raspberry. Lots of berry in the nose.

T: Tart black and blueberries, with a nice mild Sourness at the end, some hints of oak.

F: Medium body and carbonation.

O: A nice drinkable fruit sour.

 

 

Appearance: Arrives the color of blackberries, the head somewhat violet in color; strands of lace linger

Smell: Lactic blackberry, though that may be a blend of blueberry and raspberry

Taste: As with the aroma, the lactic blackberry flavors appear (though a conversation with the barkeep confirms that it is a blend of blueberry and raspberry); earthy depth through the middle and a dry oaky finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: The folklore around this beer was that it was an unplanned mistake that was blended; more mistakes like this are welcome anytime

 

 

 

a new one from crooked stave, i love their recent rash of innovation. this is a good one too, although i think cedar is a little confusing in the name. from what i know, there is no cedar ageing or anything happening with it at all. it says oak barrels on the menu, and from what i gather, thats about it. they call it a grand cru sour ale, which must mean a blend or something. its a little darker than many of their other ones, with a deep purple blackberry jam color to it, not much head though. it smells awesome, blackberry and blueberry and probably raspberry too, although i had this after a raspberry origins, so maybe my senses are just hungover from that, but i get those three fruits pretty solidly here in the nose. they are a little more put together in the taste, mashed in there and somewhat less distinct as individuals. the sourness is great though, nice and puckery and with the dark grains, its a pretty complex brew. the one thing that throws me off here is what i perceive to be tequila in the finish. i have had a ton of tequila barrel aged beers lately (thanks avery), and it seems to me quite obvious in the finish of this one. it could be a mix of the fruit and cultures playing a trick on me, but i swear this tastes like it was in a tequila barrel, at least in part. did anyone else pick that up? in any event, the beer es exceptional, somewhat sweeter than many of their other fruited sours, but real complex and delicious. it would be cool if they bottles and released this one, or at least told us what fruits they use...

 

Malt and raspberry nose. Taste is complex and smooth. Raspberry, light tartness, lingering strawberry and red grape. Really awesome.

On tap. Moderately sour. Wouldn't have guessed it's a grand cru. Says "aged oak barrels with mixed berries."