Holy Diver (Syrah Barrel Aged)
E9 Brewing Co.

 

bottle number 62 of 288, looks older than the bottles these guys are coming out with now with the paper label and all, picked up from their production brewery last weekend, i do not see a date on this, but i would imagine it has at least a couple of years on it. i always kick myself when i have had more than a should and crack a nice bottle, as was the case with this one, but when time with close friends is short, you tend to just drink the beers and consider the consequences later, so this was popped late night with little discussion. it doesnt have a lot of head from the bottle, but does present a beautiful maroon redness, very red wine looking, and definitely some viscosity. the nose is a little tart and tannic but not particularly sour to me, not an out bruin type, no vinegar to me despite its obvious maturity. very wine forward, prune and plum and blackberry and black cherry, some sugar through it too, malts holding on, not really all that belgian to me though, as interesting as the yeast side of this is. incredible depth of flavor, lots of dark fruits, maybe not obviously syrah at this point, but rich and luxurious red wine and woodiness, currants, red gummy snacks, prune, raisin, its complex and awesome. a little bit of acidity now, but mellowed by the oak, more carbonation than it looks like it has, subtle vanilla through it, a little estery belgian type yeast, but that is not a leading note here. the wine is amazing, the little bit of alcohol coming through is flattering, and overall just another really impressive barrel aged beer from these guys, this one you would think was actually done with wine grapes not just in the barrels, its very pungent. delicious beer, very mature now, a cool sort of hybrid style. we didnt need to drink this, but i am glad we did!