Deadcrush
Cellador Ales

this has obviously has a few manifestations at this point, different fruit and strengths and stories by vintage, which is rad, each should probably have its own listing here on BA as they seem entirely different. mine is in a clear glass bottle and done with syrah grapes. the label says 9.5% abv and september 2024, live for this kind of beer so excited to dip in! the pour is more stunning than the clear glass can even show with its jewel tone and oddly unsedimented visual purity, some must and grape solid looking chunks hang in the head space of the bottle suggesting a robust referment, as i have kept this vertical, love the obvious use of real fruit, and it pours with vigor, tons of big bubbles, i can even hear it fizz, and a champagne head that falls as fast as it rises and takes so little color from the fruit, sexy and staying fizzy after all that, i have it in a stemmed white wine glass it its sure pretty. the nose is odd, nothing like the flavor, bloody iron rich minerality and slightly coppery and metallic, understated is itself an understatement, literally bleeding to me, but then also fruity, syrah specific yes, good fruit, no sulfur makes me want to have wine from this vineyard, which is called coquelicot according to the label, heady, funky, not sourer than the grapes themselves it seems. the flavor comes then as a surprise given the chill aroma, red currants and ripe strawberries and all the glorious fruitiness, some sweetness, some oak, some funk, some tang for sure, heavy though even with the effervescent texture, its got weight, some alcohol as it warms, pith and grit even, its big, its vinous, and its a little rawer later than it starts, but when i drink wine beer, i want wine, and this bring great wine, and the base saison or blend is on point too, a point not to be overlooked, the grain part of this is important even if its secondary, and the maturity here is fire, maybe bottled with champagne yeast or something. special beer, a little muddy at the very bottom, but a delight to drink and something ill remember. need to track down the other editions of this that have been out, seems like each has some uniqueness. my favorite style right now, done supremely well!

Glass into Belgian Tulip
Look: clear dark purple (grape juice), pouring a thin cap head which dissipated into nothing
Smell: Lots citric acid, tart grape juice, musty yeast, berries
Taste: very Tart, very musty yeast. Lemon zest, tart grape, hint malt, spicy oak. Finish is really just sweet grape
Feel: light feel, moderate carbonation, crisp finish
Overall: nothing special, but everything is there and it works

 

Serving: 375 ml bottle (2020 Vintage) poured into a Riedel Zinfandel glass.

Appearance: Deep, clear, ruby red towards purple with a sudsy cap of big clear bubbles.

Smell: Earthy, farmyard funk, oak barrels and tart, dark fruit (currants, black cherries).

Taste: Bright and tart, lemon curd, currants, oaky resin and spice (black pepper, vanilla, clove, nutmeg).

Mouthfeel: Light body, smooth feel and light carbonation.

Overall: Layered, complex and funky beer-wine hybrid.

L: Dark red wine color.
S: Strong earthy notes.
T: An extremely dry sour with syrah dry tendencies and a clean sharp finish.
F: Very dry and clean grape flavor.
O: A beer made with wine grapes and have similar flavor profiles as the wine.