I purchased a bottle of Fruet a few weeks ago and have been sitting on it, considering whether to hold on to it for trading or to age it and drink it. I wanted to taste the beer before making my decision, so I tried it on draft at the Provisions store. I must say, it was really disappointing there. The beer was unbalanced, the hops seemed to conflict with the malt flavors, and the alcohol flavors came through in both the wrong way and at the wrong time. I was expecting this to be as good as Cuir (which I loved), but it was hardly even drinkable, which is really troubling given the price for a bottle. I am wondering if something might have been off about this batch or pour or, alternately, whether this beer is a lot better from a bottle (I know that this is the case with many beers). For that reason, I wanted to ask if anyone has had Fruet from both a bottle and on draft and noticed a difference in quality between the two. Thanks!
Haven't had draft yet -- Bruery poured it from bottles at the Firestone Fest, and it was extremely tasty and well-integrated. I would assume the draft version just isn't as good.
I think you might want to try it again. I thought Cuir was an overly sweet and boozy mess. Whereas Fruet was just stunning.
I haven't tried it on draft, but your description sounds nothing like what I experienced from the bottle. If you loved Cuir (especially the 100% BBA version) you'll at least like Fruet, and odds are you'll love it.
Had both bottle and draft on numerous occasions and found little to no difference between the two - regard Fruet as smooth and very well-balanced between bourbon and fruitiness, moreso than BT. Not sure that old ales are generally meant to have much hops presence. One of my favorite Bruery offerings.
First, it's an old ale, and barrel aged and mixed with other years of barrel aged, so any discussion of hops should be immediately thrown out. Now, is it big and boozy? Hell yes, just look at the abv. I have had BA Cuir, so I expected it to be around there, and I was not disappointed. Like others have said, try it again, and remember what it is supposed to be, for the style I have not talked to one person who prefers Cuir over Fruet.
Had it on draft at Toronado SD for the Bruery's anniversary party and thought it was absolutely delicious, well integrated, and the best of their anniversary beers upon release thus far. I've yet to open a bottle for comparison, but on tap it was neither unbalanced, nor hoppy.
Like others have said, I thought it was very well balanced with a nice mix of bourbon, malt and oxidation. Tried next to 100% BA Coton and 100% BA Cuir and Fruet was my favorite of the three. Edit: All were in bottles. Tried draft 100% BA Cuir and Fruet next to each other, and both were still very balanced, Fruet more so than Cuir.
I'm not sure what beer you drank at provisions, but from your description, it certainly wasn't Fruet. I might go so far as to say it's my favorite from beer The Bruery, I'd give the bottle you have a try, and IMO the bottle does not need any aging.
Thanks for the info everyone. Something must have been wrong with what they poured me, it seems, rather than a general problem with the beer on draft. I'm glad to hear that, as I've been looking forward to this beer.
