Blackcurrants for Bells
Barrel Heart Brewing & Blending

On frozen stalks they ring, against the metal bucket, the twilight dark fruit chimes, like blackcurrants for bells.

Process & tasting notes: This saison is inspired by a visit to the French town of Cassis (and its namesake blackcurrant liquor). The blanc-cassis cocktail, more popularly known by its greatest ambassador, Felix Kir, is now known as a Kir – and is a blend of crème de cassis and white wine, such as Chablis, or any other Chardonnay.

We found Chardonnnay barrels that had housed our pale saison for just over a year displaying lime zest, dried herbs, light pear notes and a hint of soft, round vanilla. After the aged beer was drawn from the white-wine casks and set upon local blackcurrants, the beer reminded us of drinking that famous cocktail in the hills of Cassis.

The mouthfeel is luxuriously bodied, with the wine-dark sea colour of which Homer wrote. Aromatically, it is everything we love about blackcurrants – bright berry notes with the signature earthiness that rings like no other fruit.

Blackcurrants for Bells started its journey in oak, then onto fruit and into steel, to now sit in bottle and glass, for you to enjoy in laughter and in stillness.

Serving suggestions: Enjoy in a white wine glass.