I really enjoyed Surrette when I tried it a while back. However, this Surrette Reserva is $18 a pop and I am not sure I enjoyed it that much. Curiosity has a hold of me though so wondering what the deal with this Surette Reserva really is; whats the difference between the two and is it that much better to justify the price increase? Anyone know?
From the CR newsletter Chad wrote: Surette Reserva is not the Chardonnay barrel aged version which is still aging and part of this years Cellar Reserve membership. This is a whole new batch which we soured in our foeder for a few months till it was ready to release. This batch has picked up a great lemony acidity with the Brettanomyces just starting to come on. I haven't had it yet.
I believe that I read that the reserva was from select barrels. Sort of like how wine makers will choose the barrels that have the best flavors and release them as the "select" or "reserve". In this case he described these barrels as having the most complexity and balance. If you are not sure on the price I am happy to open one of my bottles if you are ever down in the springs. I also haven't had it yet.
Aha, here is the description: http://store.crookedstave.com/Surette-Reserva-MEMBERS-ONLY-CSSR2012.htm Sour Farmhouse Ale Aged in Oak Barrels Surette Reserva is an exclusive bottling of Surette our rustic farmhouse ale brewed with traditional harvest grains and aged in our large oak foeder. The Reserva is hand picked from unique batches of Surette that occasionally develop with indefinable complexity. 6.2% alc/vol
Cool, thanks for the info guys. Please let me know what you guys think of this when you do finally crack the bottles open as I am really curious. If the reviews are good enough I will make sure I get the chance to check this out, either on tap or bottle if need be.
Excellent idea. Just so you know, this is a new avatar for me, inspired by my correct answer here: Too Much Time On BeerAdvocate 5.5 Rise Of The Lurkers! (Surprise Collab Edition!) + Consolation LIF If you scroll down a bit, somebody did copy the entire speech. So good.
I'm going to have to try this. I'll be pretty honest - after the early stuff from CS (before they were bottling), I wasn't much of a fan at all. Those early batches were rough. However in the last year or so I've been really, really impressed by him/them. I think the price point might be the only reason I don't keep their stuff in my fridge year round. Hopefully once they ramp up production a little more we'll see those prices drop a little.
Chad will be in production at his new place the first part of next month. This is not the giant craft food/beverage place that was discussed in Westword. He will likely still be a part of that, but it will be a smaller pilot brewery (20 barrels) and serving spot. Once everything is set up he will be getting to brewing very quickly to quote Chad directly from last weekend "I hate not having beer on the shelves". The next WWB is being bottled the day before he makes the final move to Denver, and should be out soon. For now standard beers will stick to the simple 12.99 pricing, special items if they get sold to the public, may be at higher prices. Once everything is set up at the new warehouse I do believe you'll be able to buy his beers there, or at the stores that carry it. I'm more excited about having the tasting room, as there will likely be a lot of beers that don't see the bottle line. It'll be nice to sample some random ideas of his while picking up the regulars. If anyone wants to give Reserva a taste before plunking down the 18$ its still on tap at Back Country Pizza in Boulder, 7$ a pour. IMO its a totally different beer and finished amazingly. It is much more sour and complex. Granted Surette is drinking wonderfully right now with about 8 months on it! Still not as complex or tart. Hopefully he can replicate Reserva again....the beer would really be something on fruit like raspberries
