Dépuceleuse
Avery Brewing Company

Pours a murky burnt-burgundy with a finger of tan fizzy foam atop. Head retention isn't great, crackling away quickly. Even at a distance, cherry punches through as the storyline of the aroma. Cellar stone, biscuity, bready malts and lemon zest round it out, all sealed up with a lactic sour tongue twist. Flavor profile is cherries, strong as ever. What starts as a fleshy fruit quality with a light tartness swells into a lactic twist of the palate. Cellar stone, bready malts, toffee, raisins and lemon zest all add little bits of depth and balance to the cherries, but the cherries still shine through. Mouth feel is medium in thickness with a still texture - just a light frizzily fizzle on the tip of the tongue before stalling out. Overall, thick cherries with a light fruity ale beyond, both bolstered by heavy red wine characteristics. Lots going on, and with that, it doesn't retain the best balance or focus.

Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 12oz bottle.

 

How to make the most out of the funk? Answer: let it wait for seven years. That's nearly the time that's expired since its bottle date. Avery's Depuceleuse has shed most of its brazen sourness in return form refinement, earth and smooth taste and texture.

The vintage ale pours a tawny ruby with a light translucent veil. As a whisper of foam swirly about the collar, it trails into a most brandy-like appearance. The earthen funk of brettanomyces and extended age rewards the nose with the pungency of weathered oak, cork taint, dry attic, and a gentle waft of the barnyard. Even a kiss of parmesan cheese catches the nose as the first sip hits the tongue. Faint biscuit, wafer and residual wine-like sweetness grazes the tip of the tongue for the start of a complex culinary show.

Trending much more earthy than sour, the ale has dried beautifully and its aggressive sourness has mellowed. Its woodsy, gamy and rustic roots have firmly taken hold and its middle palate is alive with peppercorn, tannin, almond, vanilla and strong vinous spice. Its sourness carries a dry balsamic tone that lies on dry cider and rose wine. Finishing with the mild tannin balance of oak, a marzipan and leathery taste concludes.

Light, oaky and dry, the beer holds a savory and nutty succulence that makes the flavor register richer in texture, but the smooth acidity and wine notes glide along the mouth with a feathery lightness and a whimsical earth. Sea brine, cured leather and cherry provide echoes of taste that resonate in a short musty aftertaste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glad I got to try this. Bottle poured to tulip, small amount of creamy head. Dissipates quickly on top of ruby and amber body with orange highlights.smells of tart cherries but with some complexity from the barrel, toffee and figs. Tastes like tart cherries, zin barrel flavor comes through. Subtle caramel and dark fruit undertones. Medium sour. Mouthfeel is the highlight. For the lack of head there is a great amount of carbonation and tight little bubbles that play on the palate. Medium body, very nice.
A very good beer, nice with 4 years of age on the bottle. Quite enjoyable.