Acadian Connection
Barrel + Beam

 

 

375 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled in 6/2019. Bit of a gusher opener. Pours slightly hazy pale golden straw color with a 1 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big juicy/tart/tangy oranges, lemon, lime, citrus peel/zest, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, red/green apple, white grape/wine, oak, peppercorn, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with lighter notes of leathery/musty/lacto funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of oranges, fruity/funky/acidic/spicy yeast, oak barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt notes; with big strength. Taste of big juicy/tart/tangy oranges, lemon, lime, citrus peel/zest, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, red/green apple, white grape/wine, oak, peppercorn, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with lighter notes of leathery/musty/lacto funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tart/sourness, citrus tang, and Brett/oak tannin spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of sour/tart/tangy oranges, lemon, lime, citrus peel/zest, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, red/green apple, white grape/wine, oak, peppercorn, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light leather/funk/vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of oranges, fruity/funky/acidic/spicy yeast, oak barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; with a fantastic malt/tart/sourness and tangy fruit balance; with zero puckering/astringent flavors after the finish. Fairly crisp finishing. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering tart/sourness and tangy fruit. Medium-plus carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy/acidic/tangy, and fairly tannic balanced mouthfeel that is fantastic. Zero warming alcohol for 6.2%. Overall this is a fantastic fruited sour/wild ale. All around fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of oranges, fruity/funky/acidic/spicy yeast, oak barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, refreshing, and fairly crisp to drink with the modestly acidic/tangy/drying finish; not overly lactic. Fantastic balance of super juicy/vibrant oranges and Brett/Bacteria complexity; with great oak presence and pale/wheat malts against acidity. Minimal residual sweetness with crisp acidic/tangy dryness. A highly enjoyable offering, and amazing style example as expected.