2016 Saison - Red Wine Barrel-Aged
Blue Nose Brewery

Very hazy gold-yellow body, white soapy head with fine carbonation rising along the glass. Nose is magical, with strong yet delicate notes of raw white oak and light red wine, making it fruity and woody and mature. Faint peppery beer notes behind it. Those spicy notes take center stage in the flavor, offering a lot of black and white pepper with some faint chalkiness behind it, tannic and fruity wood notes distantly behind it. Quite the disappointment, as that style of saison can be a turn-off for me; I preferred the vinous elements more. Body is just fine; drinkable, appropriate prickly carbonation.
The nose was the summit here, the appearance and, sadly, taste were valleys, and the feel just ambled in the middle. This was an adventurous, true-to-style, and successful attempt at barrel aging for some new breweries, it just didn't speak my dialect.

Draft at the brewery.
Pale bright gold, no lace, minimal string of bubbles.
Woody aroma with a light acidic fruit undertone.
Taste is tart and fruity with a white grape note, dry oak finish.
Light bodied, slightly undercarbed but easy drinking and balanced. Good stuff.