Native/Wild
Oxbow Brewing Company

Bottle shared by Keith. Thank you.

2015/16

Delicious.

 

 

A one-inch off-white head holds for a short while before leaving spotty lace on an Ithaca pint glass. The first pour was slightly hazy golden amber. The second pour brought a yeast haze.

The aroma has a pleasant funkiness and a pungent white wine quality. Apple cider mixes well with orange zest and oak. The oak has no harshness. Floral notes are an accent. Warmth transitions this more towards the earthy spectrum, reminiscent of a cabin deep in the woods.

Sourness is just right with sweetness following. The flavors transition from the aroma with cider and rustic white wine being prominent. The earthiness is offset by light citrus. The finish is long mild and earthy.

The texture is sharp and stiff like taffeta. The body is medium to light, while alcohol is as expected. Spritzy carbonation offsets the pleasant dryness.

I shared this with Dave after winterizing some bushes. I could easily have enjoyed a second bottle. I imagine it would pair nicely with pheasant or grouse.

Thanks, Chris

The nose has just a deeply cheesy funk, a blend of blue cheese, Parmesan, Gorgonzola dolce and sweaty socks. Acidity is mild, and leans lactic, those there's a cheesy acetone character present. Moderate oak and tannins with some vanillin. Splitting a 750 was a bit much.

Native/Wild Blend: 2015 / 2016 Blend. Original NW, bought from the brewery. Drank 06.29.22. One of the best lambics I've ever had. Hands down. Not over the top in any way, just delicately delectable. Only thing that came to mind is that that mouthfeel was a slight bit thin, but that perhaps added to the delicateness of a fantastic beer.

 

This one is wild! Reminds me of the very first Russian River wild Brett ales. Supplication!

Tart, sour and funky! The yeast has tons of character. Lively vibe and feel with just the right amount of funk and drinkability.

4yo (2017) bottle

Pours a deep rich orange. Orange zest, lemon, funkiness on the nose. There's green apple and a some cheeseyness that I tend to get more of in the Allagash coolship series. It's kind of a parmy, umami character than straight cheddar. Some copper penny minerality, some red pepper. The acidity is restrained as is the carb. It's a little on the soft side. The first time I had a bottle of this (I believe from a previous vintage), I commented that it was wonderful. Honestly, it was the best AmLam, MT, Gueuze, lambic, whatever you want to call it spontaneously fermented beer I had had from the US. I still think it is quite good, but I don't know if this is as good as that first experience.

2016/17 blend at home in April 2020. Turbid orange. Not very good, has a Cantillon chlorine thing in a harsh way. Nose is slightly better but carb is low and it's thin. Disappointing like most AmLam.

16/17 blend
Pours a golden hue slightly turbid. Do not think it was due to a bad pour. Nose is sweet, mineral, lemon pepper. Taste follows the nose, slightly tart, slightly acidic. Feel is light l, very nice carb. Overall, excellent example of an American lambic.

Poured a cellared bottle of the 15/16 blend. This was the best beer of the whole trip, absolutely incredible! Pours beautiful burnt orange with a classic ring of foam. For the smell, just breathe in the wonderful mixture of oak, various powerful funks, yeast, hay, earth, grass, citrus, minerals, grains, grape must, flowers, green apple, and dry white wine. Taste does not let down after the incredible bouquet of aromas, captivating the palate with a myriad of combinations of the previously mentioned flavors, leaning heavily on the funk, fruits, and barrel. Complex, bright but not too light, a touch of artful sour and must, rustic and delicate nature that is worth sipping slowly.

The beer pours straw yellow with a spritzy white head, it has medium carbonation. It smells tart, with barnyard funk, dark grapes, and blueberries. The beer tastes tart, with tons of musty funk, damp oak, dark grapes, and blueberries. It has a full body for the style. This beer is aging really well, incredible funk and complexity.