Stock Ale
Plan Bee Farm Brewery

Slightly hazy brownish-ruby with no head, being still, aside from a few clear, tiny bubbles here or there.

This is quite a unique brew. While the tart crab apple and browned malt base is there, the unique additions provided by the bourbon barrel take all of the spotlight. A sort of nutty nougat cashew paste with accents of maple and brown sugar fold into the base seamlessly, as an almost red wine tannin brings it to a dry finish.

 

 

 

 

No bottle dating but since this was added in September of 2018, I'll assume it's got 5-6 months on it... White wax around cap... Label says this NY wild ale was aged in bourbon barrels... Pours an opaque orange/mahogany amber color with just a trace of bubble across the top in my tulip... Aromas of apple cider vinegar, woody tannins, and dark fruits on the nose... Sour apple and assorted sweet fruits are intensely tart with an oaky edge, and a drying, smoky, vanilla and wood element that is likely the impact of the bourbon barrel aging... Tangy and tart, mildly sweet, with vaporous airs and a medium body... I don't do wild ales often - or sours of any form - so take this with a grain of salt, but I'm really enjoying this ale - gose-like in its refreshingness, with nice complexity, from sour acidity to sweet chewy fruits, to a drying vanilla-like note on the finish... Very cool...

False advertising, beautiful bottle, tastes like vinegar, sour sour sour, would make a lively vinegarette, not for kids or human consumption

This bottle notes bourbon barrel aging; I believe there is only one version and this is the correct listing. Not a ton of whiskey flavor (and I’ve had Evan’s beers that have brought a lot); more of an oaky Wood contribution.

This is an assertively sour beer, strongly acidic and bracing. For me it doesn’t fit into the old ale or “stock ale” wheelhouse, more an American Wild ale. I was told when picking this bottle up shortly after bottling that it would benefit by sitting and that it was pretty much uncarbonated. Two months later there’s some light carbonation that just carries things along enough but could use a bit more. Not flat but ten percent more spritz would be nice. Would also aid in appearance in that a super aggressive pour failed to yield much of a head.

A very complex and interesting beer that brings bold sour flavors and oaked notes and is ultimately really enjoyable - just a little light on the carbonation and not fitting the general style much. Would have liked some deeper malt character and even some of that Sherry like oxidation.