Tradition: Vermouth Barrel Aged
Afterthought Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

500ml bottle, 9.15.18 bottle dated, poured into a stemless wine glass.

The beer pours a hazy and golden color with a white foamy head that rises nicely and has great retention with modest soapy lacing. The aroma is pleasant, strong vermouth character, bitter liqueur, wildflower, light oak, citrus peel with some spice, doughy pale grain and mineral water. The flavors are good and echo the nose nicely, lots of vermouth up front, wildflower, straw and pale grain, mineral water, light oak, some umami flavor and a crisp oaky finish. The mouthfeel is good, coating and creamy with a bubbly but soft texture on a medium body that finishes with a tart bite.

Verdict: A nice saison from Afterthought. I was skeptical about the vermouth treatment but it works nicely and compliments the base saison well. Complex, balanced and refreshing despite the strong barrel character. A nicely made beer.

The vermouth really does come through here, adding grassy flowers, gin like booziness, and probably by association in my brain, a little olive. Fits in well with base saison, binding to the yeast and lemon grass flavors immediately, there is also some mushroom, oak, vanilla, and a little char. Barrel also helps fill out the body a little more while not losing the bright and bready mouthfeel with slight tartness.