Microbrasserie Les Trois Mousquetaires Hors Série Oud Bruin Flanders Brown Ale / Oud Bruin at 7% ABV | 12 IBU (C$13.99 at Oak & Vine, 750 ml, bottle date 25-Nov-2016, acquired 27-Mar-2017, reviewed 18-Apr-2017)
Appearance: murky near opaque ruby brown with a fluffy ivory head settling rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: balsamic vinegar, sour cherry, wood, hint of chocolate, light funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively to moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering tart finish. (4/5)
You might call this vinous and oaky, I suppose, but it reminds me of chokecherries, with sour cherry dominating over a hint of chocolate. It’s not as clean as I’d like, though, and the cherry notes come across as being slightly browned or spoiled. I’m surprised to see brettanomyces listed in the brewer notes, because there’s very little of what I would consider a typical brett funk going on here. The sourness is high and not as complex as some other Old Bruins I’ve had, with almost a kettle sour / lactic character. Good, but falls short of great. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
