Bubba Blend 1
Transient Artisan Ales

Got an infected bottle. Pours a murky brown with a minimal tan head that disappears in less than two seconds.

The nose tells the story, with red wine vinegar and the slightest smidge of caramel. That isn’t present on the taste, just the red wine vinegar.

One of my few drain pours (I think my third).

Well bugger. Transient normally does top notch barreled beers and I imagine some of these were fine. Unfortunately this one isn't. Red wine vinegar seems to be the dominate flavor, won't be finishing it. Sadness.

 

I was worried about this bottle after hearing about infections. Well, I'm an unlucky one. Pours dark brown with a thin layer of head that quickly dissipated. The nose was very red wine forward, with a touch of sourness. Not really getting much else. Maybe some apple. The taste is quite sour with red wine and leather notes. Definitely some funk as well. Drain pour.

Poured cellar temp to a small goblet. Had some eruption, possibly from being handled earlier…waste! The aroma is noticeable from a couple feet away, a waft of raisin and leather. Color is a clear ruby amber. No head, no lacing. Despite the eruption, not much visible carbonation.

First sip is hot alcohol, more than the 13.5% would already prepare you. Looking at the description, it was aged 40 months (!) between 18-year Elijah Craig and BLiS bourbon maple barrels. I’ve come to understand that very long aging seems to make for a massively “wet wood” pull from the barrel. It’s a dominant flavor, which helps steer you to keep it at sipping pace.

The Elijah Craig is the alpha flavor. The body is a balance between English and American barleywine, moreso the former. The BLiS bourbon maple comes across subdued, perhaps adding to the mouthfeel stickiness and light sweetness.

It’s 64 degrees on the porch, but the brew brings good warming to cover that crisp temp and the fact I’m wearing shorts and a summer shirt.

Price of transient beverages is absurdly reasonable, so major props to them for keeping top tier drinks affordable.

For the record: all five other bottles were infected. Drain pours. Got a refund, but very sad to say goodbye.