The three ales featured in this post are intended as a beer bridge between winter and spring. Witte Snake,
a Belgian-style witbier (or white beer) and Strawberry Blondie, an American
blonde ale with fresh strawberries, are harbingers of the longer, warmer days
ahead. Meanwhile, Unsung, an imperial chocolate and oatmeal stout aged in
bourbon barrels, reminds us that the chilly wet weather is still with us.
Witte
Snake
Witte Snake is a faithful rendition of the Belgian
witbier style. Although Witte Snake is under 5% in alcohol by volume, there’s
still a lot going on in this surprisingly complex beer. Along with wheat
(typically around 50%), barley and sometimes oatmeal in the malt bill, wit
beers are usually flavored with floral coriander and lemon peel and bitter
Curacao orange peel. Acoustic Ales’ Witte Snake also has a hint of ginger. As
with all Belgian beer, yeast is a prominent flavor component. Witte Snake is
bottle conditioned, so you’ll probably notice a little sediment in the bottom
of the last glass.
Tasting Notes
Witte Snake pours a hazy gold. A creamy head swirls
on the top. Fragrance is coriander phenols with citrusy orange and lemon esters
and a hint of ginger. Flavors are slightly sweet and tart, and spicy with hints
of zesty orange Curacao and lemon peel. The ale yeast helps promote the citrus notes
and the finish is dry.
Enjoy this refreshing ale on the patio in the sunshine. Mussels and
French fries are a classic pairing or try it with cheeses or panna cotta.
Strawberry
Blondie
250 pounds of fresh local strawberries are the star in this excellent
beer. The supporting role belongs to the suitably subtle structure of the nicely
crafted American blonde ale. Just bottled in mid-February, Strawberry Blondie
packs the semi-tart sweetness of newly picked strawberries.
Tasting notes
Strawberry Blondie pours a light amber tinged with strawberry pink. A
sparse head lingers for a short while. Initial fragrance of strawberries is
light, but grows stronger as the beer warms. Flavor is strawberries,
strawberries, strawberries. The fruit shines here, and if you like strawberries
you’ll love this beer. Finish is semi dry and short.
Strawberry Blondie might be one of the easiest drinking beers I’ve had. Yet
at 6% abv, this Blondie is no lightweight. This might be a beer to share with
your non beer-drinking friends.
Quaff Strawberry Blondie at your earliest convenience to fully
appreciate the fresh strawberries.
Unplugged
Turkey Kopi Luwak Imperial Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
This version of Acoustic Ales’ Unplugged series is an imperial coffee chocolate
oatmeal stout aged in Wild Turkey bourbon barrel. “We took our base Unplugged
Imperial Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, which has oats, 80 pounds of Belgian
Callabout milk chocolate per 15 barrel batch, brown sugar and wild flower honey,
rested it in bourbon barrels from 8-12 months and added Kopi Luwak coffee” says
Acoustic Ales owner and brewmaster Tommaso Maggiori.
Tasting Notes
The beer pours a dark brown with a persistent tan head that laces the
glass. Carbonation is smooth. Initial aroma is bourbon barrel. The flavor is
boozy bourbon barrel sweet followed by semi-sweet chocolate and a dark roasted
coffee bite. The finish lingers on the palate. Let the beer open up in the
glass to fully experience all of the flavors.
At a noticeable 12.5% alcohol, Unplugged is a big beer, best enjoyed
with friends on a dark and stormy night or after dinner with rich chocolate
cake.
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