Topic Archives: Grapes
Dogfish Head Oak Aged Noble Rot (Tasting Notes)
Dogfish Head Oak Aged Noble Rot is a January surprise release by the Milton, Delaware brewery.
First released in 2012, Dogfish Head’s Noble Rot is a wine/beer hybrid. How? Unfermented grape juice, aka “must” from viognier grapes, that have been infected with a helpful fungus called botrytis. Thus, where the name “Noble Rot” comes in. The fungus reduces the water content of the grapes, making them sweeter. Next, the brewery adds pinot gris must, that has been intensified by the a process called dropping fruit (where larges bunches of grapes are clipped to amplify the grapes left behind).
The brewery uses a Belgian strain of yeast to ferment both editions of Noble Rot.
Dogfish Head Oak-Aged Noble Rot has been resting on oak for a full year. Available in 750ml bottles. Shipping immediately.
Beer Street Journal tasting notes: Much of the original flavor of Noble Rot shines through in the oaked edition. Notably, the oak is very prevalent. Honestly, this beer is dominated by notes of the grapes, and oak. Very unique. A great supplement to those that love the original wine/beer hybrid.
Style: Fruit Beer (w/ Grapes. Oak Aged.)
Availability: 750ml bottles
Release: Mid-January, 2016
9% ABV
Jester King Cerveza de Tempranillo, Blend 2
Jester King Cerveza de Tempranillo Blend #2, goes on sale Saturday December 26th. The last time this beer was released was in February of 2014.
Jester King Cerveza de Tempranillo is a barrel-aged farmhouse ale, re-fermented with Texas-grown Tempranillo grapes. Blend #2 is slightly lower in alcohol by volume (7.2% vs. 9.4%), and was refermented in stainless steel, rather than oak like Blend #1.
We’re happy about the fact that the grapes in blend 2 came from Texas, as opposed to California. Not that the California grapes aren’t good, but we prefer to embrace the characteristics we get from Texas microflora and soil, so as to make beer with a sense of place.
All in all, Jester King Cerveza de Tempranillo was fermented in both steel tanks and oak, racked to oak for maturation, refermented with grapes in steel, then bottle conditioned. Total yield, 3,000, 500ml bottles.
Style: American Wild Ales (w/ Grapes. Oak Aged)
Availability: 500ml bottles
Release: 12/26/15
7.2% ABV
NoDa & Night Shift Brewing team up once again
NoDa Brewing (Charlotte, NC) is teaming up again with Everett, Massachusetts’s Night Shift Brewing. The result will be a fan favorite from years ago.
Some will remember Stop, Collaborate, and Glisten. An instant hit for young NoDa at the time. Next October, the collaboration will come out of the barrels, ready for the big time once again.
NoDa Stop, Collaborate and Glisten is a golden ale base, ferment in wine barrels with Sauvignon Blanc grape must and wild yeast.
“When we made the decision to turn our original production facility into a barrel aging, sour, specialty house, we knew we had to bring our friends at Night Shift Brewing down to bring back one of my favorite collaborations of all time — Stop, Collaborate & Glisten,” said Chad Henderson, co-owner & head brewer of NoDa Brewing Company. “I’m excited to brew with them again.”
NoDa Stop,Collaborate & Glisten will return to bottles and taps after its time in barrels on October 29th, 2016. If you are really bold, check out their music video for this beer below.
Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Grape Must. Wine Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft
Return: 10/29/16
?? ABV (Beer haven’t finished fermenting yet)
Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Grand Cru available in California
Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Grand Cru, a special imperial version of the brewery’s Farmer’s Reserve Sour, is now available.
Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Grand Cru is the brewery’s ode to the their favorite white wines. This creation is made with California-grown Muscat Blanc grapes, blended with an imperial edition of Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Sour Blonde, aged for a year in French oak barrels.
The result is a deeply fragrant hybrid that captures the Northern California terroir and seamlessly melds the complex tartness of a Belgian-inspired sour ale with the sun-ripened boldness of white wine grapes. Serve this very limited release alongside fresh, raw oysters and pair with celebratory toasts.
Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Grand Cru is a 750 milliliter bottle offerings, available exclusively in California. Also new to the Grand Cru Series – Almanac Dogpatch Grand Cru.
Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Grapes. Wine Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Release: November, 2015
10.2% ABV
Almanac Dogpatch Grand Cru now available
Almanac Dogpatch Grand Cru, a special imperial version of the brewery’s Dogpatch Sour Ale is joining the brewery’s big bottle lineup.
Almanac Dogpatch Grand Cru is blend, of a Flanders red style sour ale with red wine grapes. The brewery took California-grown Zinfandel, Syrah, Tannat, Petite Sirah, and Tempranillo grapes and added it to a special imperial edition of their Dogpatch Sour (aged in wine barrels with cherries.) The best flavors of beer and wine are the end goal for the blended release.
Tannic red wine notes mingle with complex sour yeast flavors and French oak barrel character to create an exceptionally original new brew. Pair with beer-braised beef dishes and savor on special occasions.
Almanac Dogpatch Grand Cru is a 750 milliner bottle offerings, available exclusively in California.
Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Grapes, Cherries. Wine Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Release: November, 2015
Free Will Grape Sour
Free Will Grape Sour
Avery Vallum Barrel-Aged Wild Grape Ale, Barrel Aged #30
Avery Vallum Barrel-Aged Wild Grape Ale will be the 30th entry into the brewery’s barrel aged series.
The 100% spontaneously fermented beer uses Cabernet Franc grapes, and Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.
Yet another 100% spontaneous fermentation! The wild yeast living on on the grape skins once again did all the heavy lifting. Now do a 12 oz curl into your favorite drinking glass. Sip. Repeat. Feel the Burn.
Avery Vallum will be a 12 ounce bottle offering. These releases are limited, with a majority sold at the brewery on release day.
Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Cabernet Franc Grape Must. Wine Aged.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Release: TBA
9.6% ABV
