Cascade Brewing Manhattan NW (2014) American Wild Ale at 9.6% ABV (C$36.44 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 18-Aug-2016, reviewed 15-Aug-2019)
Appearance: ruby-tinted medium amber with a short loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tart cherries, oak, bourbon, almond, malt vinegar. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, low bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-low carbonation, dry tart mildly warming finish. (4/5)
Looks, smells, and tastes a lot like a tart red wine. (Priced that way too!) A tribute to the cocktail, it has flavours of tart cherries and oaky bourbon, with a hint of almonds in the finish that makes me wonder if She Who Must Be Obeyed has finally had enough of me and put cyanide in my glass. (If I do a review tomorrow, she probably didn’t. Put cyanide in my glass, I mean – I don’t doubt she’s had enough of me.) Mouth puckering from the start all the way to the bone-dry finish, but balanced and flavourful, with more than a little Flemish Red character (especially in the hint of malt vinegar). Good stuff. (17/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
