American Wild Ales

Posted in Don't Miss This, Peace Tree Brewing

Peace Tree Wild Red Ale Pre-Orders Now Available

Peace Tree Wild Red Ale releases on March 21st, 2015. The American wild ale celebrates the brewery’s fifth anniversary.

Peace Tree Wild Red Ale started as an amber ale three years ago, then was introduced to oak barrels with wild yeast. The beer was finished fermenting with Brettanomyces yeast, and finally, bottle conditioned.

Those wishing to purchase bottles of the Peace Tree Wild Red Ale can reserve bottles online, for in person pickup. $12.00

Style: American Wild Ale
Availability: 22oz bottles
Release: 3/21/15

?? ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Almanac Beer Co., Coming Soon, Don't Miss This

Almanac Rum Barrel Peche Coming to Farm to Barrel

Almanac Rum Barrel Peche takes aim at the brewery’s Farm to Barrel Series.

This edition features summer peaches, a sour blonde ale, and rum barrels.

Historically, fruit-infused sour beer were a way of preserving the summer harvest. In that tradition, this blonde ale was added to rum barrels with high-summer peaches, hand-picked by the Loewen Family at Blossom Bluff Orchards in Reedley, California. We aged this liquid gold for six months until we needed a reminder that summer will come again.

Almanac Rum Barrel Peche will be available in 375ml bottles. The brewery has not yet announced this offering.

Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Peaches. Barrel Aged. Rum.)
Availability: 375ml Bottles
Release: TBA

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Steel String Brewery

Steel String Pretty Polly American Wild Ale, Mid-March

Steel String Pretty Polly American Wild Ale is one of two sour beers that kick off a new sour series by the brewery.

In mid-March, two different offerings will join the series. Steel String Pretty Polly, and Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly. The above is the less hopped edition of the the barrel aged sour/wild ale.

Polly is kettle soured, then blended in wine barrels with another ale that has been fermented 100% with Brettanomyces yeast.

Pretty Polly draws its name from Appalachian murder ballads, often named after the victim or perpetrator. Pretty Polly is about a man named Willy who is courting Pretty Polly. He takes her out into the country on a date and admits that he is so in love with her that he has to kill so she can’t leave him. Each release in the series will feature different names and elements of the songs.

Steel String Pretty Polly arrives in Mid-March at the brewery, and through North Carolina by the end of the month.

Style: American Wild/Sour Ale (Barrel Aged. Wine Aged)
Availability: 500 ml bottles
Release: Mid-March, 2015

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Steel String Brewery

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly Kicks Off New Sour Series

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly is the first of the brewery’s barrel aged sour line. The base beer is a saison that was soured in the kettle, then fermented in a pinot noir barrel with a another ale, fermented 100% with Brettanomyces.

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly features Mosaic, Citra, and Nelson Sauvin hops. The brewery tells Beer Street Journal that the flavor is :vinous, fruity and some what oaky, overall rather complex.

Pretty Polly draws its name from Appalachian murder ballads, often named after the victim or perpetrator. Pretty Polly is about a man named Willy who is courting Pretty Polly. He takes her out into the country on a date and admits that he is so in love with her that he has to kill so she can’t leave him. Each release in the series will feature different names and elements of the songs.

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly arrives in Mid-March at the brewery, and through North Carolina by the end of the month.

Style: American Wild/Sour Ale (Barrel Aged. Wine Aged.)
Hops: Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, Citra

Availability: 500 ml bottles
Release: Mid-March, 2015

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Wicked Weed Brewing Co

Wicked Weed Amorous Bottles Make Seasonal Return

Wicked Weed Amorous bottles have returned to the brewpub and Funkatorium in Asheville, North Carolina. Amorous takes the brewery’s love of both hoppy beer and sour ales into one unique offering.

Amorous is defined as being in love or enamored, and no one could doubt that Wicked Weed is in love with sour and hoppy ales. This beer is a blend of both Brett barrels and sour barrels, dry hopped with a bouquet of American hops to accentuate the tropical and citrusy profile of our wild yeast. No ale is more Wicked Weed than Amorous.

Wicked Weed Amorous is available in 500 ml bottles. North Carolina only.

Style: American Wild Ale (Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 500ml bottles. Limited.
Return: 2/20/15

6.9% ABV

Image via Wicked Weed

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Almanac Beer Co., Seasonal Return

Almanac Valley of the Hearts Delight, Batch 2

Almanac Valley of the Hearts Delight is back for round two. The sour ale is inspired by the agricultural history of Santa Clara Valley, California.

Now Silicon Valley, Santa Clara Valley was once known as Valley of the Heart’s Delight, the land of fruit orchards. For this release of Heart’s Delight, Almanac uses foraged apricots handpicked by the Garden To Table non-profit, promoting urban farming in San Jose.

Almanac Valley of the Hearts Delight uses a blend of wild and sour cultures from a few of the brewery’s other offerings. Aged in wine barrels with the foraged apricots. Available again in 375ml bottles.

Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Apricots. Barrel Aged)
Availability: 375ml bottles, corked & caged.
Return: February, 2015 (Batch 2)

7% ABV

Image via Almanac Beer Co.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, Firestone Walker Brewing

Firestone Walker Feral One, Batch Two on Valentine’s Day

Firestone Walker Feral One, Batch Two releases on February 14th, 2015, in honor of the Barrelworks second anniversary.

Feral One, Batch Two is a 43% blend of Agrestic (American wild ale red), 43% Vintage Solae Wild Wheat Ale, and 14% Lil’ Opal (barrel aged saison).

 Feral One is an annual blend of our best efforts, from hand-selected well-aged barrels, chosen by the Masterblender and Barrelmeister. An earthy funky nose gives way to complex ester notes of dried apricots, strawberry, guava and slight orange zest. Toasted mature oak, lavender, vanilla and cinnamon lurk in the background.  A mouth-watering acidity and soft tannins are punctuated by a firm carbonation.

Firestone Walker Feral One, Batch Two will be available at a special Valentine’s Day/Anniversary party. Tickets start at $104 dollars via Eventbrite Tickets

Style: American Wild Ale
Availability: 375ml bottles, Draft. Extremely limited
Release: 2/14/15

6.7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay