Touch of Brett: Mandarina
Alesong Brewing & Blending

 

16.9oz bottle poured into 16oz tulip. Poured a lightly hazy medium gold color with about 2/3 inch of white, champagne-type head that quickly dissipated and left no lacing.

A nice blast of Brett burst out of the bottle on uncorking. In the glass a nice grain base supported some fruit aromas, brett funk, some floral notes, and a touch of tartness.

Pretty similar on the tongue, with the addition of some wood, and an aspect I couldn't quite put my finger on.

The body was light, crisp, tart, and had a very dry finish.

Drinkability was very good, a sipper for sure, but each sip left you wanting another.

Overall, a very, very nice brew. A must-try if you see it.

500 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 8.5%. Pale golden colour, only slightly hazy. Small white head. Nice aroma of spicy yeast, brettanomyces / farmhouse, oak and tangerines, hints of pineapple and vinegar. The flavour is moderately sour and vinegary, notes of oak, tangerine and grapefruit, with a dry-ish and woody hop bitterness in the finish.

Bottled March 2018, purchased at Market of Choice.

A clear resplendent golden orange with a large white head supported by tons of carbonation, this is beautiful. The nose reminds me of Midnight Sun's Uranus. Soft, fruity Brett expression with pineapple, straw, peach colored with a strong base beer and soft vanillin and toasted oak note that reminds me of French oak. Dusty, earthy, mildly mineral like with grape and peach, this is excellent. A little bit of mint, citrus, grapefruit zest and honey round out the nose. The palate opens mildly sweet with a blend of honey and citrus before a soft Brett expression takes over. Delicately fruity and spicy with a blend of pineapple, clove, melon, dried mango and a little strawberry. A little fuller than ideal, and a little fatty as well, this beer finishes with a blend of Brett and straw flavors. The base French saison is softer and more rounded than your typical fresh, snappy and bright Belgian one, and that's an interesting take on the style.

another special beer from this special brewery, incredibly delicate for its strength, it drinks clean and dry and effervescent, light bodied, like its 4% abv or something, impossibly easy, how do they do it?! golden and radiant from from the bottle, airy and active white head on top, good clarity and high shine. smells unique, a perfect and somewhat subdued mix of belgian yeast esters, mature brett farmhouse character, and a white wine vinous element thats as fresh and vibrant as can be. if this is all brett on the ferment, its really complex and interesting, super highly refined. the mandarina hops are killer in here too, fresh and not at all overdosed, and while this is a new school flavor profile, its old world technique for sure, not one of those sloppy juiced out over dry hopped things, but a soft and mellow dosing that also allows for a little bitterness, not wanting for hop aroma or flavor, but a lot more relaxed than what is trendy with hops right now across all styles, i love that! carbonation is singing here, there is no trace of the alcohol, and its gone with a little farmy funk, mango juice, and white grape. another brilliant saison in this series, which impresses me so much each time a new one comes out. i love these guys as much as anyone right now!