The Cut: Grape - Tempranillo
Casey Brewing & Blending and Barrel Cellar

Vintage 12/21/17.

 

 

As the craft alcohol world reaches out for inspiration, challenge and wonderment, the extension into the wine world isn't that far fetched. Colorado's Casey Brewing & Blending company takes their already winey ale and layers it with grapes that feature the Tempranillo variety in its finishing stages for that quintessential Bordeaux-esque character.

Dark thorughout, the eye catches saturating hues of crimson, mauve and purple behind a translucent dull glow. Releasing any attempt at carbonation, the ale soon falls still, looking the part of robust red wines exceedingly well. Juicy and sour, the Tempranillo Grape edition of The Cut opens with a full grape, berry, highly vinous scent that starts to tighten the jaws upon its aroma alone. Pepper, light smoke and weathered woods play a part in the recesses of scent. A bright taste opens the session with candied maltiness, light taffy and grape juice sweetness leading the way.

The juiciness of the grape gently lifts off of the middle palate and is replaced with the sour undercurrent of ale. That's where the more nuanced taste of lime, grapefruit, gooseberry, crabapple, lemon and sour white grape aid to support the grape additions but not to rival them. Trailing into a peppery, oaky and piquant finish, the beer's drying character pulls out the balance and complexity of nutty woods, cork, burlap, mild campfire and leather.

Medium light in body, the robust nature of the added grapes transport the mind from beer assessment to that of wine where a taste and texture like this would be considered quite full and brazenly acidic. But with the beer hat on, its a wonderful refreshing session that finishes with the rounded taste of what sangria wants to be once it grows up.