Invented Tradition #1
Folly Brewpub

hazed golden blonde, light ring of white head, no lace. Smell is fruity and funky, zesty lemon, oak and green apple, quite nice with light vinous notes. Taste is spicy, oak and fruity, a light sweetness throughout, quick finish. Medium-light carbonation, light bodying a little watery. Just OK although the nose was very nice on this.

 

Bottle: Poured a clear golden color ale with a nice off-white foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of light floral hay notes with some residual sugar notes and clean cereal notes. Taste is a nice mix of cereal notes with some residual sugar notes and some light dry hops notes with very subtle oak flavours. Body is about average with good carbonation. Limited character but enjoyable nonetheless.

So, the first bottled barrel-aged offering from Folly. Bottle 1 of 200. Served in a pint glass.

A - White foam settles to a near-complete cap, thick collar, and spotty lace. Transparent golden straw body, with plenty of visible bubbles lazily rising upwards. Looks like a farmhouse ale.

S - Lots of oak, brett funk, wine tannins, some rye spice. Good complexity and actually seems heartier than 6.8%, although it's not particularly boozy. Perhaps a touch of sulfur, but nothing offensive.

T - Compared to the aroma, the taste is a bit bland. A neutral, bready, malt bill with some medicinal brett in the finish. The house farmhouse yeast profile isn't very prevalent, and the rye doesn't really manifest either. It's fine, albeit dull.

M - Oats lend a creamy touch to the feel. Pleasant, moderate carbonation supports a medium body. Tannin-heavy finish with minimal lingering stickiness.

D - If the flavor was as developed as the aroma this would be quite good, but as is it is merely OK. Not sure how the bottles are conditioned or whether there is potential for development with age. As a first effort it is acceptable, but there is a long way to go to match even the weakest offerings from someone like HF or SARA.