Undressed
Picobrouwerij Alvinne

One of the more interesting bruins I’ve had. Full flavor and mouth feel but would like a little more hop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quick, fizzy, and very dark brown head makes a noisy departure before the bottle reaches the counter, while a crystal clear, deep velvety ruby red beer fills the Houblon Chouffe Flute glass. While there is no lacing, the blood red color is mesmerizing.

The aroma opens with tart cherries and faint barnyard funk. Light oak chips follow with muddled berries. This lacks my expectations of complexity for the style, but warmth brings out nuances of balsamic vinegar.

Tartness takes the tongue through throttled twists, turning the tail to the top. Following the noses lead, cherries and berries give way to balsamic vinegar late in each sip. One might even find basil. The finish is long and sweet with tartness drying it out as it slowly fades.

The full body adds to a syrupy texture as this is almost flat. Alcohol is far more present than anticipated, and there is s mild astringency.

While short of the desired layers of complexity, this is a fine sipping beer. It is well suited for relaxation in the early evening, of a hot, sunny Spring day.

 

 

Maybe I finally figured out how to drink this style: have it with heavy food and heavy bread. Otherwise, an out Bruin owns your taste buds. I like the low-hop character, but the sour requires full-flavored foods.
Alvinne claims to use zero hops in in this, so it's all sour... and Undressed has a sour that never quits.

A quintessential oud brun, leaning well to the tart end of the spectrum

 

 

 

Re-reviewed Sept 09th, 2017

Unique bottle cap info: UFO JUN 2018 LOT: FOE

Original ratings: 3.5 3.75 3.5 3.5 3.5

Look is the same. Smell is nearly identical, perhaps more raspberry and no orange. Sour cherry flavor; tart and acidic. Medium-heavy body; acidic and mouth puckering; sharp and somewhat raspy.

I noticed subtle differences overall. Certainly wild and sour with a strong sour cherry profile overall. The mouthfeel had more oomph. Not bad...

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Bottle cap data (hard to read the first character): UFO JUN 2016 LOT FOE

Cloudy, brownish-orange body; fizzy head (although somewhat lasting yet very thin). Sour orange aroma; plum and grape. The taste mirrors the plum and grape smell; sour and tart; sour cherries. Medium body; smooth and flat.

Interesting, but not overly impressive. It delivers a lot of wild, sour flavors but looks fizzy and feels watery.

 

L: Pours a clear dark brown w/ slight haze, no head, almost imperceptible carbonation.

S: Red licorice going on strawberry twizzler, dried fig and balsamic notes. Something that reminds me of carbonic macerated wine- an uplifted candied red fruit character.

T: Simultaneous rich plum or fig preserve and tart lemon-rhubarb, wild strawberry, malty and tangy. Lingering finish full of caramelized lemon peel and slight hints of toffee.

F: Superfine bubbles that fade quickly which is the only thing I knock here. The acid keeps it going though.

O: I dig it. These beers are always interesting and catch me off guard and keep me thinking. Enjoyed it from start to finish.