Crooked Barn
Ausable Brewing Co.

pretty sure this is the first bottle i have ever had or seen from these guys, i always got a farmhouse vibe from the brewery when i visited but they never really made this type of beer before, it was a matter of time, and i was pumped to stumble on this bottle, happy to spend the money for it, and keen to crack it open, i had really high hopes. it is a little different than anticipated, neither as rustic nor as wild as i had maybe hoped, but i like the beer a lot, its golden honey colored maybe a little bronzer than that, relatively clear through most of the bottle and sporting a full inch of airy white head, looks nice in the glass as long as it holds. the nose here is a little sweet and a little funky, hints of wet oak, honey, newer brett setting in, french type saison yeast, and straw, its farmy but its a little sharp, not quite tart to me but a little tannic and vinous, distinct in its own way. the flavor follows the nose, the ferment is interesting, must be a cultured saison strain for the primary and then some brett in the barrels, that part seems less developed like maybe some cellar time would be good for it, but i like the esters here, the belgian essence, and the way it goes from fuller and sweeter in the center to drier at the end, strong white wine notes through it too. round and fuller bodied, woody, well carbonated but short of effervescent, uniquely herbal as it warms, lemongrass and dill come to mind. its neat beer, a fun local saison, i think they should keep up down this path, and expect more dynamic ferments in the future, but this is something i have long anticipated from them and i am glad its happening. nice looking bottle, tasty brew!