Merci (Blend #2)
Side Project Brewing

poured from a 750mL white-waxed bottle into SP LC stemmed glassware. pours a foggy burnt orange with almost two fingers of fluffy, slightly dusty looking white foam head. so much soapy white wine barrel funk up front on the nose. there’s also some lemon and subtle oak. taste follows but it’s a little more tart than the nose would lead you to believe. a little acidic after half the bottle and a touch of green apple that i didn’t get at all on the nose but it’s still damn tasty. thick mouthfeel with a surprisingly lively carbonation level to it after over 8 years in bottle. excellent blend - the merci blends are always stellar and i was so pleased to have had the opportunity to try this early blend.

 

White wax bottle, stemmed glass. Mildly darker golden yellow body, one finger white head, good retention and a bit of lacing. Smell is cheese, a bit of acetone, moderate acetic acidity, touch of grain, white wine grape, a bit of leather and a bright lemon citrus aroma. Flavour is a nice cheesy funk and white vinous sweetness, lemon, a touch of leather. It seems to trail off, missing something on the backend, sort of an incomplete slate when compared to Merci Blend #1 that we had just before this one. It's odd, and maybe the aging (this was opened in October of 2018, two and a half years after release) took its pound of flesh. Mouthfeel is medium lighter bodied, refreshing and slightly dry, a bit of acetone on the finish. Good, even great wild ale but somewhat disappointing given the reported lineage behind this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bottle at the taproom, no wax, unlike the photo here. i love that these guys are so focused on missouri ingredients, has to be one of the most under appreciated stats in the union. who knew so much oak and cooperage came out of here? certainly not me! looks to me like this beer and this blend is a celebration of that state and that heritage. lots of strong oak wood on this, and enough wild yeast to dry it out and make it special. these guys do these blended saisons as well as anyone, and this one showcases the oak a little more, white wine notes, sweet new oak, and slight tannic properties from wood and yeast combined. vinous, bigger bodied, wheat driven, slightly bretty, white grape, green banana, gentle pepper, old hops trying to be chill, and a unity that really is the most striking feature of the whole thing. everyone wants to freak out over the rare ones, the barrel aged stuff, the bottled fruited releases, whatever, but this is one of the best beers i have had from side project overall, and should not be underestimated on its complexity or deliciousness. these guys are on point, i cant possibly get enough right now...