http://bellwoodsbrewery.com/the-power-of-the-blend/ Any idea if this year's Motley Cru is related to their Flander's Red "Barrel #119" at Cask Days 2014? Variance in abv could be due to blending. Barrel #119: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28820/142772/
This one is a mix of various barrels and base beers. They seem to not want to indicate exactly what is in the blend, but it drinks like a Flanders Red, for what that is worth. I didn't have the #119 that you refer to so I can't answer anything relating to your specific question though.
I asked them what type of barrels were used and they told wine barrels, but they did not know what wine was previously in all the barrels.
The tawse winery that they are working with is one of the best wineries of niagara peninsula. Among other things, they are especially renowned for their different chardonnays and their top notch bottlings of cabernet-franc.
Arrived at 1 PM, left at 2 PM. Line had about 60 people in it when I got there at 1. Really slow moving...
I went there around 3 or 4pm, tons of cases left, only a 5 minute wait. Decided not to go early, glad I slept in.
hearing that it's carbonation is on the low end. not sure if a few more weeks in bottle will change it for the better. otherwise, people were happy with the taste
If its anything like Rodenbach Caractere Rouge or Vintage it should be drank within the year. The fruit-forward edge will be lost.
I arrived around 1130 and the line was down the street and around the corner. A server inside said the line had begun around 915. I sat on the patio and had a few. Line died, I jumped into the bottle shop and grabbed my keep. Then back to the pub for more drinks.
Those beers are both pasteurized (I know, why?!) and so age particularly poorly. Motley cru ought to be a bit more robust, at least - but I'll probably be drinking any bottles within the year or two as well.
I know almost all Rodenbach products are pasteurized and filtered, but I believe that Caractere Rouge is bottle conditioned. It is also aged in foeders 2 years, Motley Cru is a blend of 1-3 year old beers. They will most likely make a great side by side comparison.
Got there later at night and there were still at least 100 bottles left. Will visit this one after a few months.
