15 Hands
The Black Abbey Brewing Company

The owner of Pretentious Beer in Knoxville handed me a sample of this. I was much appreciative. Poured from the custom labeled corked bottle into a hand blown glass sampling bottle of approximately 4 oz in size.

Delightful brew. Great aroma with some distinct sour notes. Flavor was nice as well. I think it was a little too carbonated but tasty nonetheless. Nice beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a lot of care and finesse, the delicate nature of Belgian pale ale is easily interrupted. And choosing a long slumber in bourbon barrels is a daring move. To accent the fruit and spice of the ale, that slumber turned out to be a quick power nap.

15 Hands pours the common hazy gold with a blooming white cloud of froth. Fruit and booze hit the nose with a jolt that carries a disposition of an ale twice its strength. And once the bubbly and spicy ale hits the tongue, the sweetness erupts like pop rocks candy and brings out the fruit sweetness if only briefly.

As the middle palate unfolds, a bright and floral bouquet mounts- apple, pear, banana and orange play gently through the sparkling wine-like effervescence. A peppery nod of clove, white pepper and fresh-cracked black peppercorn bridge nicely into the bourbon spice to come.

Bright and beautiful, the sweetness retreats and is ushered away by the militant carbonation. A strong carbonic bite provides an iron-like finish with elevated bourbon warmth and a long linger of charred oak, peppery bitterness and citrus peel.