Black Bretty
Jackie O's Taproom & Brewery

A-pours a dark black with some light shining through and a light tan colored head.

S-the nose is very nice, strong notes of blackberries, lightly tart, hints of brett and notes of licorice.

T-the brett becomes stronger, the sugars have become slightly numbed, sweet blackberries are still nice and there is a pleasant moderate tartness. the flavor is slightly thin and has a bit of a leathery finish and a light dark malt presence. the flatness and bretty leather don't compliment the sweet blackberries as well as they could and integration is slightly lacking.

M-medium to light body and highly carbonated with a semi dry finish. a little over active on the carb and somewhat thin finish.

D-not a bad beer, nice berry presence, the brett is slightly muttled and unintegrated but overal pretty solid.

Massive thanks goes out to mikesgroove for sharing this one at an impromptu Hobo Tasting #7 which turned out to be a good time in an Ingles parking lot out of the trunk of my Audi with my AR-15 in-check to keep the haters out! Served from a growler into a Duck Rabbit snifter. Poured a reddish brown with a very minimal off-white head. There was no lacing evident throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, caramel, funk, and tart. The flavor was of sweet malt, caramel, funk, and dark fruit. It had a medium feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew, but nothing overly inspiring though. Not sure how well the Porter and Brett get along as it seems that a lot of the flavors clashed on this one for me. It was still pretty drinkable but was definitely not the highlight of the tasting for me. This one is worth trying or ticking (if you're into that kind of thing) but I would leave it at that.

So it began. Hobo tasting No. 7 commenced at Ingles on an overcast and slightly damp day. It was an impromptu event that really was not solidified until a couple hours before, but none the less went off without a hitch. As me and Calton chilled for a good hour enjoying some of the finer craft offerings in our multitude of glassware and bottles and growlers, one could only wonder how much better it could have gotten, enjoyed during a hell of a good time on 04/21/2011.

The first of two small Jackie O growlers I brought with me today, I was very excited to try this one. Poured out a nice dark, near black colored with a nice ruby hint on the sides and a nice and reasonably sized head of dark tan that capped the top nicely and left a light concentric ring of lacing that encircled the glass quite well . Had a very nice and prominent look in that duck rabbit snifter!

Aroma is definitely dominated by the brett from the very start as that lightly tart, fruity and dark aroma rises up out of the glass. Cut against rich roasted malts, touches of chocolate and oak and a hint of vanilla it is a massively complex aroma that seems to be never-ending in its morphing complexity. Once reaching room temperature it honestly seems to settle on perplexing me even more and developing a rich dark chocolate note that bears down on the brett. The first sips are full of bourbon, light notes of brett filter through this on the palate and reach a nice and pleasant balance. Dark fruits, touches of plum, dark berries, oak and vanilla all coming through to me. Very rich and clean. Profile is not overbearing or thick by any means and maintains a well balanced and easily drinkable nature. Each sip seems to be just better than the one before. Finishing with hints of light tartness and smooth and silky malts, it is simply divine.

Overall one of the best offerings I have had from Jackie and very unique in nearly all aspects. Really nicely done.