Raspberry Parliament
Alesong Brewing & Blending

 

 

special stuff here from these guys, who continue to blow me away just about every time i have a beer from them. i love what they do, and this one is pretty evolved. a darker wild base brew, red from the fruit influence, but apparently modeled on a flanders red or something. i dont really see it like that, without much vinegar or anything to it, not even all that sour as they go, and with so much more going on than that old world lactic thing with the grain. i dont get a ton of grain from this actually, maybe a little more substantial than some of their saison types, and its certainly stronger in alcohol than i have generally known from them, but its still about the yeast, which is super funky, more bretty than i would expect in a flanders type, to my delight, and with a relatively clean acidity. i love all the fruit on this, ripe fresh raspberry and a slight syrupy raspberry richness. summery for sure, i love the pinot noir barrel element with the fruit, blackberry and plum leap into it as well. the whiskey element is subtle, but the raspberry with the whiskey together is genius, there is a ton of oak, some light vanilla too but its not heavy or sweet, and the wine element is incredible all the way through the finish. the depth of flavor to this is unrivaled, a bit sour later on, especially at temperature, but super funky all the way as ell. enormous complexity, refinement, and uniqueness. the double barrel treatment here is magic. these guys are one of the best in the country for my money!