Vulcan Faunus
Jackie O's Taproom & Brewery

Ratebeer Winter Gathering.

A: Pours a nice murky brown with a small tan head. No retention or lace.

S: Aromas of light roasty malt. Tart berries, dark cherry juice.

T: Ample amounts of candy sweetness that seems to balance a nice tartness. Dark tart berries, cherries, and brown sugar.

M: Medium in body, understated carbonation.

D: Pretty good, unique and rare. Thanks to whoever brought this one.

Made my first in-person trip down to Jackie O's this Valentine's weekend for my birthday. Needless to say, I was quite excited and encountered an impressive lineup.

Appearance- Pours a very dark brown that lets some crimson tinged light in around the edges. Just a minimal sheet of off-white head that dies back almost at once to a ring around the edges.

Smell- Wow, a lot going on here. Smells at the same time very vinous and of tart cherries and dark stone fruit. Noticeable lactic tartness that bites at the nose and hints of a woody pithiness as well. A lot going on and very appetizing.

Taste- Again, superb fruitiness for a Flanders Red/American Wild Ale (I question the classification of American Wild Ale here rather than Flanders Red, though it is a bit of a catch all that this could fall under). Lots of tart cherries, stone fruit, and red wine grapes that go with a pungent sourness that is not overpowering but very noticeable. Again, some mild oak flavors showing through as well. Very good.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Mouthfeel is adequate for the style with just enough carbonation. Drinkability is fantastic with just the appropriate balance of flavor, complexity, and tartness for the style.

Overall, a very well crafted beer. A front runner for best beer of the evening, along with the Matriarch DIPA, though I am a sucker for a good sour beer.

Served on tap at Jackie O's. Ordered at the public house, but the beer was on tap next door at the brewery, which was closed. The beer went from tap to pint, then into my tulip glass.

A- Deep brown in color, almost looks like coca-cola. Lightens slightly at the edges, but the clarity is tough to judge. No head at all as well as no visible carbonation. Looks like some beads or sediment are hanging around close to the surface.

S- Sour acidity with an underlying vinegar aroma. There might be a slight roast or chocolate aroma, but it is well hidden by the sourness. Smells very intriguing with several levels of complexity.

T- At first, just an acidic pucker. Then, a vinegary acetic funkiness takes over followed by an oaky and brown chocolate aftertaste. This is a Flanders Oud Bruin with an added acidity. The acidity is refreshing, the acetic flavor adds complexity, and the oak and chocolate leave a great aftertaste. There is a small amount of alcohol, but not interfering. As the beer warms the acidity increases and the vinegar flavor becomes less intense.

M- Smooth, medium body with a snap of carbonation that wasn't lost in the double pour.

D- Very drinkable. The flavors are a bit unrefined, but this has a very refreshing character from to the funky and sour duet.