Sixfold VI: w/ Cherries
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

Pastel salmon-pink with a soft white collar.

Smell is toasted seeds and charred oak with cherry, raspberry and lemon.

In flavor, a nicely light, persistent funk runs throughout as tart cherry and dried chewy peach notes are featured over accents of charred oak, toasted seeds and a hint of acetobacter.

The medium body has a filling froth and a semi-dry finish.

This is really good.

Incredibly tart, deep and complex, the sour ale program of West Sixth just keeps getting better. With the employment of montmorency and local cherries, wine barrels and a lot of patience, a winey, acidic and funk filled flavor takes hold.

Tartness is the name of the game as the fruit, wine and sourness latches onto the olfactory senses. A light earthy perfume trends leathery, musty and cork like. A gentle swirl reveals a slight pinkish stained froth the pops above a deep mauve body and a glowing haze. Hard candy, wine and strong cherry carry a light pastry taste that sends the tastebuds reminiscing of cherry cobbler.

Beautifully tangy, peppery and fruity, the beer quickly sheds its sweetness and the sourness erodes any lasting starchiness from malt. Strong notions of dry french cider, rich bordeaux wine and a taste of wine soaked red cherries all tease the middle palate before a dry and spicy finish of peppercorn, oak tannins and a richness of marzipan balance the fruit and sourness.

Medium light in body, the tanginess of cherries seem to lighten the ale's character while leaving it robust in taste just the same. A medium short aftertaste of cherry, wine and wood spices ensure a refreshed palate and and crisp drinkability. A soft aftertaste of dry oak, burlap and wine cork return with a brief and fleeting echo.