Wild Red Ale
Country Boy Brewing

 

Country Boy Brewing - 4th Anniversary Wild Red Ale (Aged in Whisky Barrels). 9% ABV. 3oz sample pour in mini mug.

Look: Settles a hazy, deep maroon hue.

Smell: Whisky aroma is very profound, but not too boozy, along with some nuttyness, toffee, caramel. and dark fruit.

Feel: Mild amount of carbonation, with a medium feel.

Taste: Sour raspberry like fruitiness with a nice tartness, backed by the presence of whisky and toasty barrel char. Finishes with a slight nutty toffee flavor.

Overall: Had at the Firkin Fest 2016 in Ashland, KY. I actually had a bottle of this saved, but it was drank without me one night, so I wasn't sure if I would get to try it again. This was very enjoyable, as was the other 4th anniversary beer (Imperial Red). I love the tartness this gives off along with the whisky aspect.

As Country Boy Brewing celebrates their 4th birthday, they do so with a flirtatious taste of fruit, sourness, oak, amber and a good 'ole kiss of whisky. This Wild Red Ale is two years in the making and it's obvious that she came out of those barrels kicking and screaming!

Wild Red Ale pours the expected rusty, hazy, mahogany red hue with a dainty creme that folds back into the glass quickly. Piquant notes of sherry, vinegar, stone fruit and citrus fill the nose ahead of a malty taste that's toasty, toffee-like and nutty.

With the malts remaining in tact through the session, its the "wild" character that overtakes the taste while the middle palate evolves. Red grape, dry sherry and apple cider vinegar seep in the taste buds with unapologetic tartness. Its balance of plum, raspberry, blackberry and black cherry offer a lushness to keep the sourness in check. A finish of oak, pecan, peppercorn and toast ensures a dry and uncomplicated finish.

Medium-light for sour, the robust dark flavors give impressions of Flemish red ale but with complex fruit, fauna and oaken flavors that's unique of American wild ale. Its acetic finish is lightly solventy but its peppery oak and powder-fine finish allows for a dangerously smooth session.

The first of two 4th Anniversary bottle releases is the Wild Red Ale, aged two years in whiskey barrels with God-knows-what sort of bacterias added along the way. What results is a tart, oaky ale that sucks you in. If only they could take this and infuse it with a bright fruit note.

This is the first sour/wild bottle from Country Boy, and maybe, just maybe, these guys can make their name by diverting away from what they've been doing for all these years prior.