This Farmhouse Cerise was inspired by the way traditional Belgian brewers use sour cherries in wild beer. The wild yeast ferments this beer to dryness, so there is no cloying sweetness left behind, but the beer retains the fruity aromas and flavours courtesy of the many months it spent re-fermenting on organic sour cherries. Bottle conditioned with Brett for three months, this beer will continue to develop its flavours in the bottle or can happily be enjoyed now.
Pours a hazy, salmon-colour with a loose, puffy white head that quickly dissipates and leaves little lacing.
Tart lemon and cherries come through immediately on the nose followed bysome pale malt and caramel sweetness before delving into the spice and Brett and weedy, floral green hop bitters.
Flavours of bread and grainy caramel malt give way to dark cherry and raisins. Some sedated sourness and Brett-funk are apparent and some leafy and herbal hops come through. A medium-bodied beer with nice smoothness that finishes off-dry. The cherry tartness and Brett work very well together without competing to create a nice balance.
Pair this beer with a creamy cheese, such as brie, to bring out the Brett funk while allowing the sour cherries to add depth and complexity to the pairing.
Charlevoix C'est Toujours L'été Quelque Part...
Saison Ale
Baie-Saint-Paul, QC
Retail: $8.99 Club: $6.99