Saturnalicius
Speciation Artisan Ales

Really interesting take on the Flanders red, wine barrell aging is apparent, adds nice complexity to the cherry profile. Beautiful color, effervescence. Love this spirit of experimentation.

7200th review! 750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 10/24/2017. Pours slightly hazy deep orange amber/light copper color with a 1 finger fairly dense off white head with solid retention, that reduces to a thin ring of lace eventually. Light spotty lacing with some clinging bubbles on the glass, light streaming carbonation. Aromas of big tart/sour lemon, lime, orange, peach, plum, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, pear, apricot, green apple, pineapple, melon, currant, red grape/wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, caramel, brown sugar, and lightly toasted bread; with lighter notes of pepper, oaken vanilla, leathery/musty funk, red wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, wine barrels, and moderate dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tart/sour lemon, lime, orange, peach, plum, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, pear, apricot, green apple, pineapple, melon, currant, red grape/wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, caramel, brown sugar, and lightly toasted bread; with lighter notes of pepper, oaken vanilla, leathery/musty funk, red wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate lactic tart/sourness, wine tang, and light yeast/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of sour lemon, lime, orange, peach, plum, cherry, berries, pear, apricot, green apple, pineapple, melon, currant, red grape/wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, caramel, brown sugar, lightly toasted bread, pepper, light vanilla/funk/vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, wine barrels, and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; with a nice malt/tart/sourness and tangy/tannic wine balance. Mildly increasing pucker through the glass, but not overwhelming. Light-moderate increasing dryness from tart/sourness and wine tang/tannins. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy, and acidic/tangy/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.35%. Overall this is a fantastic Flanders red ale! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, wine barrels, and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to sip on with the moderately acidic/tangy/tannic/drying finish, not overly lactic. Fantastically well rounded Brett/Bacteria complexity and wine barrel presence/integration; with nice malt backing against acidity. A highly enjoyable offering, and spot on style example as expected.