Tail Waggin' Double White Ale - Seyval/Chardonnay Barrel Aged
Grand Teton Brewing Co.

On-tap at Acre. Assuming this is the right thing, as I can't find any other reference to a different Chardonnay Tail Waggin'. Served in an 8oz taster glass.

A - Thin white foam settles to a thinner collar, leaving behind specks of lacing. Pale golden, semi-hazed body.

S - Massive Chardonnay and vinous character. Light wheat, low spicing, some mild oak, and perhaps some mild lactic notes in the periphery.

T - The taste is a bit more Witbier-influenced, with wheat and pale malts coming out. Still not very spicy, and less overtly vinous and oaky too. Alcohol is well-hidden, but lacks the depth of the aroma.

M - Medium body, lightly grainy texture, with lower carbonation. Tannic and oaky, with some mild vinous acidity. Yet again, no alcohol.

D - This was enjoyable, but slightly underwhelming. It's exactly as promised; a wine-barrel aged Witbier. Perhaps a bit old, as I think this was made in 2010? I'd probably skip this next time and order something else.

 

On-tap at Closed for Business in Charleston, SC.

Pours a very hazy golden-yellow color with a 1.5-finger white head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of robust pilsner malts with large amounts of candied citrus - lemon and orange rinds - and spices. Also present are solid amounts of white grape aromas.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Crisp pilsner malt flavors kick things off and are joined by mild amounts of oak and mildly tart white grape flavors. Joining in shortly thereafter are bright citrus flavors. Hints of spices - on the lighter side, mostly clove and coriander - come into play near the end of the sip. The white grape, oak, and light malt flavors carry through to a crisp ending.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a smooth thickness with grainy carbonation.

Drinkability is also very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall I was very impressed with this beer, the first I've had from Grand Teton. A beer that benefitted greatly from the barrel treatment and one that's well worth a shot.

Seyval/Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Tail Waggin' Double White Ale has a hazy yellow body with a white head. Some fairly good lacing and retention.

The aroma is intensely fruity from the wine barrels, with white grapes being by far the most powerful of the aromas. Behind the grapes the base beer peaks through, adding a bit of wheat and peppery aromas.

The most powerful flavor is also that of chardonnay, with an intense fruity flavor from lots of sweet green grapes grapes. The wine is nearly overpowering in fact, which doesn't thrill me, but after a sip or two I really start to notice other characteristics. The barrel lends this beer a distinct woody taste. The base beer adds a pretty good wheat twang, but also phenols and coriander. A hint of fruit that makes me think of yeast instead of wine is in there too. As I suggested before, the wine flavor is a little overdone for my tastes, but I also don't particularly like fruity white wine. With that said, I think this beer is an interesting idea, and it is also very well made.

The body is creamy and full.

Seyval/Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Tail Waggin' Double White Ale is an interesting, well-made beer that didn't really suit my tastes, but that I would recommend others try if they think it might.