John McTavish
Flavor
The first few sips produce a complex sour note up front, giving way to sweetness. As the sweetness fades there is dryness, with subtle fruit notes that fade quickly. Later, as the beer warms, I get a cereal flavor reminiscent of baked barley or oats.
Balance
I would describe the overall balance as very good. The sweet, sour, yeast and dry components are brilliantly in sync.
Finish
The beer finishes complex with a rich sour flavor that gives way to a medium length yeasty funkiness. That funk increases to medium-long as the beer warms up, and increases in intensity as well. There is also some oaky character, along with a toasted barley that lingers quite long.
Overall
When you end up paying for a premium oak aged beer blind, there’s always some trepidation as to what the final experience is going to be. In this case, I can confidently say the Belching Beaver Sour Series Batch No. 5 is one of the best sours I’ve had in recent memory. Although it does carry a premium price tag, I’m happy to have picked this one up as the experience was well worth it.
John | |
Appearance | Good |
Aroma | Good |
Flavor | Very Good |
Balance | Very Good |
Finish | Good |
Overall | Very Good |
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