Nightmare on Brett Sour Cherry-Woodford Reserve Double Barrel
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

 

 

Yeast is for alcohol; bacteria is for acidity. Rare is it to find a sour ale of such imperial strength. However Crooked Stave's mad scientists create such a Frankenstein of a beer that can become a nightmare for the senses. Their Nightmare series makes a stop at the feet of bourbon barrels to take those bad dreams to a whole new level.

Tawny, woodsy, dark, garnet and swirling with a soft sepia stained creme, the ale swirls with an oaken, musty, sour and fruit forward nose; and with a bold suggestion of whisky and brandy spice. Dry and toasty, its malt contributions carries a fine flavor of toasted grain, light fruit juices and a residual nature of wine sweetness early and temporarily on the early palate.

The ale simply blossoms on the middle palate. A plethora of fruit and spice is revealed as red apple, red grape, lime, lemon, cranberry and pomegranate with an aggressive pop off the tongue. A fast followup of toast and peppercorn ensure an spice forward balance but the additions of vinous acidity and bourbon soaked oak pushes the taste into the heated, tannic and lightly peated direction.

Medium-light in body, the beer is profoundly robust for sour. but its acidic bite, ether spice and oak tannins reduces the malt to a dry and toasty finish. Citrus peels seems on the slightly burnt side while a trailing peppercorn bite complements its sour and spice combination with a quick, prickly aftertaste.