Añejo Borealis
Rhinegeist Brewery

Kicking the sour ale into the cocktail world, Rhinegeist has one eye on the world of gose and the other on margarita with their latest culinary inspired, imperial strength wild ale from the wood.

Anejo Borealis pours a strikingly hazy chrome color with a creamy, loose froth. Its compelling scent is strong with tequila and with a milder tone of lime, sea brine, cactus and alcohol spice. A subtle sweetness of caramel and cashew soothe the early palate while hints of hard candy, sourdough and saltwater taffy come to mind.

Then as the ale comes together over the middle palate, the fruit of lime and lemon provide a fruit forward demeanor while the spice of tequila backs off considerably. Nuanced flavors of apple cider, white wine and green berries provide a piquant sourness that steers toward a convincing margarita taste. Peppercorn, agave and toasted woods, all booze soaked frames a finish of caramelized apple and tequila.

Medium bodied for a sour ale but still crisp, refreshing and largely clean, the ale has a lot of powerful flavors that compete for attention, each commanding a culinary statement but at the sacrifice of hierarchy in taste or subtlety. Spicy and sour to finish, the ale trails with a strong dark tequila presence.