Onegin
The Referend Bier Blendery

2018 vintage, bottled 9/8/19

Gin barrel-aged beers are few and far between, and they’re almost always worth a shot. I’m fairly certain this is the first Lambic in a gin barrel I’ve seen, and I’ve heard great things about The Referend, so this was an instant buy when I saw it on Tavour. Let’s crack it open and see what it’s all about

Pours a murky burnt orange with a finger of white head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing

The nose is sharp but also incredibly floral. I’m picking up on aromas of white wine vinegar, crabapple, juniper berry, buttery oak, wet hay, lavender, lemon zest, white pepper, and light smoke

In taste it’s quite similar but much more intense. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting lemon juice, white wine vinegar, crackery malt, wildflower honey, juniper berry, smooth oak, apple skin, wet hay, and light leather. The swallow brings notes of lemon zest, juniper berry, jasmine, apple skin, white pepper, white wine vinegar, wet hay, sharp oak, smoke, and light leather

A light medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a sharp and refreshing beer. Finishes bone dry with a balanced tartness

This one is absolutely awesome. We need more gin barrel-aged Lambic in the world, and I need to try more beers from The Referend