Phantastic Foudre
Oude Northwest

Clear amber brew with big foam in the Bellevue Gueuze glass. Tangy and then tart, but still fruit flavored. This tastes so much like the dry cider I poured on the browned pork chops, but the beer is actually drier still and not so fruity. Flavors of dark wood, pear, and hints of apricot. There's a yeasty and barrel astringent note in the aftertaste. Quite a lively and satisfying Wild Ale without the vinegar. From the 16 oz can purchased at Elizabeth Station. No date.

 

2023-05-06
16oz can served in a pair of WABL sample glasses. SWPHT046 is printed on the bottom of the can, but I have no idea what it means.

Pours a clear, pale yellow with very little head and very light carbonation. Smell is mildly tart, mildly grapey, and a bit less mildly oaky. Oak + grape come across in a bit of a buttery chardonnay fashion.

Taste is mostly the same notes in a different balance. Oak and acidity come across pretty strongly, grape comes across pretty clearly right after that. Some bitterness that I think I would attribute to either the oak or grape skin. Butteriness is there, but much more muted.

Mouthfeel is medium to light, plenty of effervescence, a little bit of a mouth-coating texture to it. Overall, it's a good beer and I like it, but I'm not wowed.