Just came across the following article on New School Beer about the Fire Cirkl brewery. http://www.newschoolbeer.com/2013/12/the-rural-brewer-pt-i-fire-cirkl.html I've seen their stuff at Belmont Station. It amused / intrigued me - very New Age + Dungeons & Dragons - but I didn't expect it would be any good. That said, the fact that they're exclusively doing braggots and gruets is intriguing. Kind of reminds me of Ambacht, since they use a lot of honey, and Propolis, with their botanical / alchemical tendencies. Anyone try this stuff? Is it any good? I haven't drank much mead and I'm sort of turned off by the pseudo-Medieval role playing that's part of the beverage's aura. Or I find it funny; pictures of Vikings and women in leather kilts shooting arrows at dragons. But humor doesn't give me a feeling that it will be quality.
I've only had the Dragon Blood so far, but I thought it was pretty damn tasty. It came across almost like a hybrid between a Belgian Strong Dark (like Rochefort 10) and a mead.
I had the Dragon's Blood as well and didn't care for it. It was cloying (duh), boozy, and fruity. The fruit flavors came across like artificial fruit flavors in candy more so than actual fruit. Mostly cherries and plums. And honey, of course. Lots of honey. As I said, I didn't care for it, but I don't have much basis for comparison. For all I know, this might be the best damned braggot out there and the style just isn't up my alley. The only other one I had was a spiced pumpkin braggot (at holiday ale fest). While I liked it, I don't think it was very representative of the style.
