Just Going As Friends
Aslan Brewing Company

collaboration with the north fork, 2022 vintage bottle, really wonderful beer. we have this new sour ale category here on BA where i think this must fit now, blended and funky, but not properly wild or spontaneous i dont think, and not quite technically saison, although under old designations it might have fit best there, oak aged, absolutely delicious and shockingly well refined in this style space, like unbelievably so, and its so light, even not considering the lower abv, its just so effortless to drink, delicate even, fantastic! blonde and clear through the first segment of the bottle, a little haze later, but high headed and light and bubbly the whole way, wispy white foam. the nose and taste are the same, sour and lemony right away, mouthwatering and piquant without being over the top acidic, white wine nuance with some new oak character, pear and green apple fruitiness in play along with nearly ripe apricot, white vinegar, and what could be little more than pils malt, so light on the grain side. there is some funk with the sour, and its awesome, mature now, maybe developed some in the bottle here over the last few years, bretty a little bit, natural white wine or even funky champagne character, dry as a bone, pretty much gone on the swallow with a little acidic recall. its refreshing for what it is, has a cool wood profile that doesnt heavy it up at all, and also has wonderfully effervescent carbonation. slightly pithy or gritty or tannic or underripe, gentle cereal character balances that well, and the ferment overall is fairly complex, this drinks wild, and could maybe be classed as such. i know they make great beers in other styles, but its these funky ones in the bottle that have impressed me most from aslan, and this one really delivers. drinking excellent right now from this vintage, but would also be curious to try fresher and possibly a touch less sour. super light and good, adore the low alcohol, stoked on it overall!