Folklore Dark Sour on Cherries
Bench Brewing Company

 

 

 

1 pint 0.9 oz bottle from the grocery store dated November 6, 2019. Picked it up out of curiosity. Seemed like a good choice for a late summer evening as the days are noticeably getting shorter.

Large foamy head over a darkish red body. Head eventually faded but never went away. Smell was heavy on the cherries, very sweet at first with a sour tinge that grew as it warmed up. Not unpleasant but a little lacking in complexity.

Taste was very sour, so much so that it dominated everything else. As it warms up I get an unexpected pleasant pastry sweetness that might be the graham cracker flavor mentioned on the label. Time to revise the ratings!

Feel was fine for a Wild Ale/Sour. Definitely worth having tried.

 

500 ml bottle served cold into a chalice. New version listed at 7.3% ABV (rather than 6.8%)

Appearance - Dark reddish brown color that almost appears as black in a full glass. A finger of light tan head that dissipates very quick.

Smell - Mostly cherry, with a wheaty backing, some other dark fruits and tart earthy funk.

Taste - Lots of sour cherries, some wood, tart earthy funk again and hints of graham cracker and raisin to close. Sort of like a very sour and tart cherry pie that is missing some of the rich buttery sweet deliciousness that is formed in the crust. More sour cherry than anything else as the beer warms.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, carbonation is pretty light and quite acidic.

Overall - Pretty good sour with big flavors and aromas. Acidity is a bit much but otherwise a highly recommended beer that compares with some of their finest sours.

cherry smell but more barnyard taste as warms.on tsp at the source. good mouthfeel but smell is like what's included it's not washed down yet. cherries tart enough doesn't need souring agent.