The Golden Net
Epochal Barrel Fermented Ales

Here's a rare style for us mainlanders. Some funk in the nose with green apricot and lemon. Taste is vivid and like citrus to start. The interesting complexity develops as you sip. Little or not bitterness, but plenty of sharp to go with the sweet. Flavors of peach, or really a peach daquiri. Lemon and orange peel too. It is hard to adequately describe this as it doesn't go into any of the familiar categories. But overall it is highly sippable and the alcohol is nicely mixed with the tutti fruitti. From the 375 bottle purchased at Garden Path Fermentation for a silly price, but it's actually worth trying for something unique and delicious.

 

Ambitious brew for a three year old. Lots going on here, but this home brewer seems to know enough to sort it out. This is my first from Epochal and I hope not my last. An interesting stretch of the style.

Epochal opens with some foam, but the 12% ABV largely suppresses any serious protein activity; and the sediment does obscure the pale. Smells introduce more Brett and citrus than expected, but flexibility is key to enjoying creativity. Despite the Brett and the ABV, this is well-balanced with the graininess and wineyness making interest; but there is so much going on here that my buds have difficulty sorting it all out. For the style, lighter than medium-mouthed; I'm used to more viscosity. As for the ABV, it is less noticeable to me than others found... until about 5 minutes into the glass and then I knew what they were talking about. Overall, this varied fermentation in the English Strong style is uncommon; but this won't stop me from looking for Epochal again.

I go on to this 3 year old's website and I'm in awe. Reading about how this philosophy professor can interpret that abstraction into brewing is a quantum leap for me. I like his approach to blending the Scottish tradition with modern funk. It all isn't going to work out the first time, but this doesn't mean that he won't prove his hypotheses true. Slainte'!

just my second from these guys, but i buy them when i see them now, this was weird and unexpected, grabbed it without really looking at what it was, strong as can be, a really boozed up brett beer with unique malt and then aged in sauternes barrels, uncommon to say the least, and frankly the defining element of this for me, along with the ferment, which is somewhat subtle and unique, bretty in a cool way, less outwardly funky but still intriguing. this is really unassuming in the glass, white head fades fast, its neither clear nor bright, and has nowhere near the anticipated viscosity for its listed strength, less carbonated than it could be i reckon too, but not still. the nose is earthy and well grounded, cool malt core to this immediately evident, but its the heavy wet old musty oak and the sauternes, with its burnt sugar, cooked peach and apricot, orange marmalade, and sexy vanilla wrinkles that jump right out, some spiciness here too, almost peppery, lots of residual sugar, general yeastiness, and the alcohol, which is heavy and fusel even when its cold. the flavor is cool, the funk is way back, the alcohol is way forward, and the sauternes and the grain together are great, hints of floral honey, dehydrated mango, good brandy, black pepper and licorice spice, black permanent marker, decaying wet wood, and toffee, wow, there is a ton going on in this! ive really never had anything quite like it, the malt is unique, the sauternes treatment is epic, and the wild and curious ferment makes it special. perhaps a small doses only thing with this level of alcohol intensity, but a really cool beer, well worth the price. these guys have my attention!

From the 375 ml bottle in a snifter. This unique hybrid Scottish strong/ Brett
Sauternes barrel conditioned ale pours a hazed amber tinged golden with a
moderate head of white foam that settles to a thin ring, thin dusty layer, and
displays faint lacing. Nose of oak, vinous wine, grassy hops, herbal hops, and
honey sweet malts with Brett. Flavors surpass thee nose with white wine, oak,
honey, herbal hops, and tart brett. Mouth feel is medium, smooth, lightly tart,
light carbonation, and a dry finish.

Of note grapefruit and funk arise with warmth.

Overall, a solid little brew.

Cheers