The Nonconformist
Ethereal Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really dark beer without the really heavy feel. Fantastic smell from being aged in Cabernet barrels. A very smooth taste with a dry wine finish. A really interesting and delicious beer.

As the "American Wild" character continues to run amuck throughout the craft beer scene, it seems that there's no style that that souring can't reach. However, souring a brown ale isn't all that uncommon- Ethereal brewers draw upon the history of the ancient Belgian oude bruin and gives it a modern American brown ale twist.

Hazy and rusty brown, the beer's masculine and dark austere is crowned by a light tarnish cap. Its woodsy scent is laced with toast and chocolate with a curious waft of citrus and cider. Its taste is malty-sweet with those chocolaty, toasty, nutty, woodsy and steely caramels.

As the sweetness slowly lifts, the remnants of light char, coffee ground, cocoa and peanut skins linger along with the slight decay of wood and damp basement. Lightly cidery with green apple, green grape and orange, the beer's mild bitter finish is broad and with a soiled earthiness.

Medium-light for brown but full when compared to sour ale, the unique ale is as rustic and earthy as it is tart. Its gently rolling acidity plays off the finish with a wine-like whimsy as the taste trails with nutty, toasty sourness.

This is a nice sour brown ale that took some flavors from the wine barrel. Smooth easy tartness yields a oakish red wine flavor. Touches of chocolate malts from the original brown ale base are present. Not too tart nor too funky. Very easy to drink, flavorful ,with just enough vinous sour notes to be remarkable.