Abbey Normal
Forked River Brewing Company

 

500 mL bottle purchased at the brewery quite a ways back (Dec 2017 if I recall correctly) and stored in the cellar ever since. Coded 17 011 293 and served slightly chilled. Reviewed from notes.

This soured ale has a hazy, orange-amber body topped with half an inch of loose, frothy, off white-tinged head that settles off within a minute's time. A thin collar lasts on, but not much else - no lace, either. The aroma consists primarily of sour notes - in decreasing order, cherry, red wine and vinegar all come to mind. There is also a fair bit of oak wood coming through, as well as some earthy, herbal hop notes, and faint suggestions of vanilla, caramelized malt and apples.

A pretty mellow tipple, at least as far as soured beer goes. Hints of red wine vinegar are very mild in intensity, with notes of sour cherry, apple cider and oak wood allowed to take the lead instead. Shades of caramelized sugars are more difficult to discern; the profile finishes with an earthy, herbal hop note preceding an acidic, slightly tannic finish without too much pucker. Light-medium in body, with relatively firm carbonation levels that prickle the palate briskly, imparting a good bite that is well suited to the brew's texture. Sour enthusiasts shouldn't find this one challenging to toss back.

Final Grade: 3.74, a B grade. I held onto this bottle of Abbey Normal for at least twice as long as I should've, which is why I was relieved to find out that it weathered that (unintentionally long) stint in the cellar quite well. The barrel and red wine notes have maintained themselves quite nicely; the underlying amber ale and/or Belgian aspects, however? Not so much. Still, I found this to be a rather well-made, moderately interesting brew, and would consider picking up another bottle (in order to try it fresh).

Bottle: Poured a clear dirty amber color ale with a large off-white foamy head with OK retention and some light lacing. Aroma of sour notes with some acidity and light cherry notes is OK. Taste is also a mix of sour notes with some excessive acidity, light cherry and oak notes are also perceptible. Body is about average with good carbonation. Unbalanced with too much acidity for my taste.