6th Anniversary
de Garde Brewing

 

 

Thank you, Brian.

A clear orange with a dense, white head that falls off to a thin disk that's maintained by a brisk effervescence. The nose is classic de Garde mixed with the smell of old barrels. Quite lactic, lending plenty of brightness to the nose, along with a mild sherry/apple cider note that adds depth, quite a bit of funk - there's earth, wet wood, and some pickles/pickling spices (coriander? anise?). There's what seems like a little white wine vinegar, but it is tempered by the mildly nutty, aged, sherry notes. The palate opens sour, with quite a bit of lactic acid. Again, there's a moderate apple cider (though not really vinegar) note, mildly oxidized honey, a little sherry, moderately nutty (almond/sweetened walnut). The mid-palate is increasingly sour, paired with a moderate funk note. The aged barrels contribute an almost sweetened flavor to the palate. This, coupled with a preserved lemon note makes for an intriguing alternate take on the bright, dry lemon notes of a 3F/Girardin, instead being a little more like a lemonade. Drying, sour on the finish with a crisp carbonation, this is tasty. This has elements of old world gueuze, but doesn't entirely integrate them together.