Raspberry Dream
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

unique new one from these guys, oak aged wild ale with raspberries, milk sugar, and vanilla, finished in bourbon barrels. i have to confess i was nervous about the new school desserty elements, not the kind of thing i know and love these guys for, but its super tastefully done, not too sweet or forced, and uniquely, they seem in service of the wild yeast profile, which is why this is so original. gorgeous ruby red color from the tap at the brewery, very short fizzing head and then its gone, but the beer is bubbly like a soda pop and the color is stunning. the nose is familiar bretty funk with citric tanginess, the raspberries adding some acidity of their own, summery and real, heavily dosed, way ahead of the other adjuncts, the vanilla is light, the whiskey is pretty mellow, and the oak is bold and mellowing, definitely a little different. i dont get to much from the lactose at all, which was a concern, some generic sweetness is all, seems to highlight the fruit and soften the acid, maybe bring a little honey character out of the barrel, but its not a distraction, still totally raspberry driven. red wine and strong berry tang, hints of cranberry and strawberry too. vanilla is an accent, its natural, and its subtle, even at temperature. nice carbonation, moderate acid, lemony notes from the bacterial element before the bretty funk rides it out, off dry but not overly sugary either, i dont mind the longer finish. not as whiskey forward as it maybe could be, but its not hurting for nuance either. impressively good, glad i had time to blast in here for a few while i was cruising through! these guys still are absolutely killing it.