Merlot You Didn't
Cellarmaker Brewing Co. - The Rare Barrel

On-tap at the brewery, tulip.

A: Served a beautiful light boysenberry-violet with a short lived light pink head that faded to solid sheets of delicate lace down the glass. All the best attributes of a sour.
S: Unexpected nose with notes of oak, cheese, slight butter, dough, vanilla, yeast, champagne, and sherbet. This doesn’t scream Merlot grape, but it does scream open fermentation.
T: Tons of vanilla, pie dough, oak, and finally, Merlot grape. Interesting combination of dark berry fruit, vinous and deep flavors of red wine, musty grape, and even a hint of cheese. I thought I got a kiss of butter, but upon further sips I’m not getting it (I still can’t shake it from the smell tho). Slight blueberry; definitely juicy red grape.
M: Fluffy carbonation that really froths up on my palate, but in a soft way not a distracting way. Medium body, slightly bitter, medical type bitter, with a clean pinch of quick, sharp, acidic.
O: Not as strong of a grape flavor as I would have thought, but overall this was very complex and delicious. I hope they do more open fermentation this turned out solid.