Jessamine County
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

In high commemoration of the first county in Kentucky to bring us wine, West Sixth's "County Series" visits Jessamine County with a strong Belgian-style witbier, but with a mellow lactic sour fermentation and a nice long slumber in syrah wine barrels for a distinct, perfumy and rustic reward upon the palate.

Pink, golden and peach hues intertwine for a charming wine-like appearance despite its hazy wheaten haze an a partly froth, partly fizz carbonation. Its acidity tingles the nose with distinctive red wine, sour grape, citrus and tangy under-ripened orchard fruit. But its taste is zesty, fruity and tart while resting on a soft pillow of wheat and pilsner- seemingly of powdered sugar.

And as the sweetness dissolves on the tongue, the fruit pulls forward with the ale's natural lime, lemon and crabapple underpinnings to sharply dry the mouth and provide a playfully tart refreshment. And as the barrels become more paramount, the flavor of red grape, vinous red wine and soft powdery oak shift the flavors to a decidedly wine-like affair.

And as the sourness relaxes in finish, a return of perfumy fragrance billows up through the retro-olfactory senses along with musty burlap and cork-like earthiness. Its Medium-light body is soft and racy with the piquant sourness cleansing the palate for an enjoyable but characterful session.