Saltation
Speciation Artisan Ales

 

2018 vintage from a cork and cage 750mL bottle. An interesting twist on a margarita-type beer with the incorporation of blood orange and guava. I could pass on the latter, but the blood orange is a very welcome addition, subbing in I suppose for triple sec. Very well balanced, with plenty of Speciation's base golden sour still in the mix. Complex and subtle, but also full of flavor. I don't get a whole lot of barrel character from the tequila barrel, however. The salt and lime is just enough to give an occasional saltiness when licking my lips after a sip. Long finish with a very appealing aftertaste.

 

 

 

 

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, 2018 vintage bottling. Pours slightly hazy pale golden yellow color with a 2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lace cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big sour/tart/tangy guava, fruit skin, blood orange, lemon, lime, citrus zest, peach, pear, pineapple, melon, passion fruit, red/green apple, white wine, sea salt, tequila, oak, hay, straw, grass, agave, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with light notes of pepper, leathery/musty funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, guava/citrus fruit, salt, tequila barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big sour/tart/tangy guava, fruit skin, blood orange, lemon, lime, citrus zest, peach, pear, pineapple, melon, passion fruit, red/green apple, white wine, sea salt, tequila, oak, hay, straw, grass, agave, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with light notes of pepper, leathery/musty funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tart/sourness, fruit tang, and light yeast/oak tannin spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of sour/tart/tangy guava, fruit skin, blood orange, lemon, lime, citrus zest, peach, pear, pineapple, melon, passion fruit, red/green apple, white wine, sea salt, tequila, oak, hay, straw, grass, agave, wheat, cracker, white bread, light pepper/leather/funk/vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, guava/citrus fruit, salt, tequila barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; with an awesome malt/tart/sourness and tangy fruit balance; with minimal pucker flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering tart/sourness, and tangy fruit. Medium-plus carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy/acidic/tangy, fairly crisp, and lightly saline/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is fantastic. Minimal warming alcohol for 7%. Overall this is a fantastic fruited sour/wild ale! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, guava/citrus fruit, salt, tequila barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, easy, and fairly crisp to drink with the modestly acidic/tangy/drying finish; not overly lactic or salty. Outstanding balance of juicy citrus/guava fruits, Brett/bacteria complexity, pale/wheat malts, and tequila barrel integration. A highly enjoyable offering, and amazing style example as expected. Been a big fan of the tequila barrel versions so far, they work amazingly well with the style.

A - Pours a hazy golden orange with a two finger fizzy white head. Nice amount of soapy lacing.

S - Aroma is lime, blood orange, salt and white wine vinegar.

T - The taste is salt, blood orange, lime, lemon, guava, oak and light tequila notes.

M - Light body with medium/high carbonation. Crisp mouthfeel with soft dry finish.

O - Awesome BA sour. The lime and salt shine with the tequila barrel adding tons of flavor.