Grisette (Barrel Aged)
Templin Family Brewing

hoping this is the same beer, perhaps it changes some each year. no name on this sexy clear bottle of pink beer, just says 2023 grisette farmhouse ale, listed at 5.7% abv, but maybe the added ingredients or barrel differ from year to year, this is the first i have ever heard of it, and like the other clear bottle of foeder we had in the same session, i had no idea these guys made beer like this, so cool! insanely beautiful packaging, muted slightly hazy but still delicate pink beer in the glass, thin and real fizzy with huge bubbles and an almost champagne-like pour, looks like springtime rose. the beer is aged in zinfandel barrels which add a lot to this, its oaky, vanilla forward, and tannic in aroma and in the taste, their impact on a beer this light is significant. it also has pinot noir grapes, strawberries, and rose petals in it (bulgarian, if the origin of those is significant). its crazy how much cool fruit nuance is in this, strawberry jelly and tang, red raspberry and currant tartness too, but also cherry and obvious red wine. the rose petal adds a lot, this is super floral and even medicinal, and more intense as it warms, i think this aspect really transitions from fruit to funk well, the ferment defines the back half of this with the oak, nice mature bretty weirdness and light pucker, super drinkable and interesting. wet stone type minerality here, a definite vinous vibe, like to the extent that i dont taste much grain, which is not ideal in a grisette where i want some rye at least, but the lightness overall is appealing and the wood gives it enough body overall. i love the pinot noir aspect, the rose hips make it one of a kind, carbonation is volcanic, and the packaging is contemporary and fun. on the whole this is elite level beer, one of my favorites of all time from templin, which is saying a lot. not to be missed. need to find more! as good a beer/wine hybrid as i have had all year long...

 

2021-08-20
~12oz pour at the brewery. Served in a teku. Pours clear, light yellow, small head, and little carbonation.

Smell is mild lemon tartness and a little oak, a little white wine / green grape / grape must.

Taste leans toward white wine and grape must with a little oak. Moderate sweetness, light tartness.

Mouthfeel is medium to light, fairly clean. Overall, Nice, tasty beer.