Sleepers in the Cave
E9 Brewing Co.

 

a collaboration with holy mountain, insanely cool we were able to find this on tap! i have to say, the fruit isnt overly obvious here, and this one is definitely about the fermentation first, at least in this format. its got a not quite clear bronze color to it, a decent head from the tap, and a ton of funk and tang on the nose, mature brett abounds, oaky too, and to me very vinous instead of obviously currants and raspberries, maybe a product of its immense maturity, but the fruit is sort of absorbed into a different narrative here, rather than leading the conversation. the acidity is pretty bright in the flavor, citric and piquant without being stinky or unclean, and the brett makes it kind of rustic and old worldy behind that. white wine to me too, minerals and wet musty earthiness, along with some richness from the grain, even though this is well dried out the fuller malt character and body remain. maybe some additional tannins and tartness from the fruit, but no sweetness from it at all, and its wrapped up with the oak pretty completely. i could stand a little more carbonation in here, but i love the flavor, and it stays with me awhile too, faint vinegar permeating the tongue at the end. it warms up favorably too. i would definitely like to try the bottled version and see whats different, especially with a little cellar time, but i dont really see it being any fruitier. i like fruit in a style like this as an accompaniment not a leading voice, not enough of that out there. this was a rare treat!

 

2020-09-06
375ml corked/caged bottle. Don't see a date on it.

Pours a clear light orange, flash of head that fizzes away quickly and leaves no lacing and almost nothing at all behind. Carbonation is low, unless I agitate it. Smell is a little funk, a fair amount of sour, a lot of oak, and vague fruit.

Taste is super tart, oak comes across clearly with funk in the background, fruit is still vague but mostly I get unripe berries or lemons, I get some fruit skin bitterness, too.

Mouthfeel is medium, more effervescent than it looks, kind of soft. Overall, this is a really good beer.