Whalez
Orange Belt Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a very light hazy gold with a two-finger, pure white head (from a fairly aggressive pour) that dissipates quickly leaving minimal lacing. The white wine barrel really comes through nicely on the nose - similar to a Sauvignon with a hint of oak at the end. Taste is sour upfront, though not too intense, transitioning to a bit more tartness and ending kind of dull. It's solid, though tame.

 

Appearance - Pours a very pale straw yellow. It is nearly completely see-through and is topped by a snow-white head that gives this more of the look of a light lager than a barrel-aged sour.

Aroma - The aroma is deceptively potent given the less-than-impressive look. A mild acidity gives way to a pleasant tartness that couples with a nice white wine grapiness. A touch of oak and vanilla gives this surprising depth to contrast the fruitier notes.

Taste - The taste is pretty dang interesting. The barrel presence is immense, so much so that the oak - and especially the vanilla notes - steal the show, and this paired with the tartness is a profile I've not yet experienced in a sour beer. It isn't overly tart but gives a nice pucker. Grape, lemon, and some grassiness add a lighter side.

Mouthfeel - The mouthfeel is great for the qualities exhibited. It is light and the acidity creeps into the corners of the mouth. Maybe a touch more carbonation would help, but hard to argue.

Closing Arguments - I didn't quite know what to expect coming into this beer; there hasn't been many reviews and the brewery itself is a complete unknown. While I didn't expect the wine barrel to be so prominent, it is bold and I actually really enjoyed it. The tannins mesh with the acidity to make this fun to drink.

Not sure why this is rated so low. The sour finish on this was almost perfect, having a nice acidity but without being overly sour or puckering. There was also a prominent wine barrel presence but it was very well balanced, lending a orange and lemon flavor. Between the great upfront flavors and exceptional finish this is perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

650 mL bottle. Clear golden body. Smell is oaky and a little generically acidic. Some lactic, some vinegar. Taste has some pale malt and grape-y fruitiness. Oak. Light sweetness and grainy finish. Moderately sour. Medium body. It's a pretty clean sour. Smells a bit intense, but the taste is nice.