Drunkard's Cloak
Innocente Brewing Company

 

500 mL bottle from the brewery; served slightly chilled.

Pours a foggy golden-amber colour, with a quarter-inch of dense, bone-white coloured head on top. It fades rapidly, leaving behind a foamy collar and some wisps on the surface, alongside a modest quantity of lace. Subdued yet complex aroma, which boasts vinous grape, green apple, sour cherry and a few mildly funky notes, as well as some grainy, doughy malt sweetness and musty, peppery yeastiness. Very subtle hints of oak and vanilla, too.

I'm getting more bready, doughy wheat malt sweetness from the get-go, followed by notes of stone fruit, sultana raisin and apple that soon take on a more vinous, wine-y tone. Grape skin and oak tannins provide assertive astringency in the latter half of the sip, complementing this saison's tart, mildly funky qualities. It winds down with some spicy, peppery yeast and clove, and a lingering earthy, woody, vaguely musty quality in the aftertaste that proves to be somewhat persistent. Off-dry. Medium-bodied, with gentle carbonation and a soft, light mouthfeel. The alcohol isn't much of a factor, but its drinkability is still limited.

Final Grade: 3.88, a worthy B+. Drunkard's Cloak is an interesting beer that I'm glad to have tried, but it's not without its flaws. The tannin-heavy aftertaste is bugging me a bit, and overall it could use a bit more sweetness to counteract that, in my opinion. I've had a handful of red wine barrel-aged beers over the past few months, and while this isn't one of the best ones, it's still a pleasant, strong, soured ale that I'd consider worth another go in the future. Give it a try - it probably won't blow your mind, but it's a solid quaff nonetheless.