Gerboise Rouge
Able Baker Brewing Co.

red wine edition of their clean saison, had next to the white, which had chamomile and ginger in it, not sure if this one does, but it does have cherries and raspberries, which really accentuate the red wine barrel character, fruity with hints of currant and blackberry, a nice addition to this, and its still floral and spicy, but perhaps more from the estery saison yeast. the body is richer in color and texture than anticipated, faint pink to this showing through the brass glow, short but lasting white head, toasted on the grain side, not overly wheat forward i suppose, fruity and piquant in the nose but not funky or wild at all, familiar on the ferment, stone fruit and zested citrus and white pepper notes to it, plenty of oak and accompanying tannins. the flavor is quite fruity and leans into the red wine, less floral and perfumed to me than the white edition, but definitely woodier too i reckon, sweeter maybe as well, this one lingers a bit. i dont love the ferment, and like like the white wine one, some barrel would do this well, but the beer quality overall is great and the barrel treatment here is too. i like the fruit being subtle and in service of the wine, and if there is ginger in this, its hardly there. smooth and fuller feeling, well carbonated, honey and vanilla with the vinous twang on the swallow. cool series, im impressed.