Touche de Rhum
Fusion Brewing

There's no dipping their toe into the pool. When it comes to Fusion Brewing, its all or nothing- diving head first into the deep end of sour ale making with an aggressively soured ale that shows its fearless side with a courtship with rum barrels.

Pushing the edge of the alcoholic power that we normally associate with bacteria fermentae, their Touche de Rhum strikes the nose with force, drawing a nearly jaw tightening scent of citrus, sour, white wine vinegar and a peppery spice of spirits, oak and wily earthen funk. Underneath its cellar-like scent lies a timid malt taste of honeysuckle, wafer and sourdough to start things off on a grainy foot.

As the flavors develop, the grains take a far back seat and the fruit flavors set with an intense white wine, French cider and vinegar tone. Bold suggestions of citrus bring lime, lemon and white grapefruit to complement the vinous acidity while flavors of cantaloup, nectarine and apricot add a macerated, over ripened earthiness. Trending dry, highly acidic and earthen, a strong presence of hay, saddle leather and cedar start to balance the fruit flavors and add roundness to the sourness.

Moderately bitter from grassy hops and spicy from the oak soaked drunkedness of rum barrels and the beer drinks spicier than even its formidable alcohol content suggests. As the palate acclimates to the acetic power of the ale, hints of butterscotch and caramel arise in a medium short aftertaste but with a lingering rummy spice.