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Terroir Pinot Noir

Oregon
United States
Terroir Pinot Noir, Alesong Brewing and Blending
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
87
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Appearance:
6 / 6
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Description 

Continuing our series of wine grape-matured farmhouse ales, this deep crimson-colored beer underwent a second fermentation on 2017 Pinot Noir must from Benton-Lane Winery and has notes of dark berries and dried fruit, with a subtle earthiness on the finish. It ends with firm acidity intertwined with a soft berry sweetness.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.7%
IBUs: 
5
Served at: 
45 - 50º
Hops: 
Aged Lambic Blend
Malts: 
Weyermann Pilsner, Rahr White Wheat, Malpass Raw Wheat, Flaked Oats
Judges Review 
Michael Heniff's picture
Judges Rating:
87
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Terroir Pinot Noir by Alesong Brewing and Blending is a wild fermented farmhouse-style beer brewed with grape must and is being evaluated as a Wild Specialty Beer (category 28C from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Wild Specialty Beers are "sour or funky versions" of specialty beers (fruit for this example) and can be aged in wood. Terroir Pinot Noir is fermented with Saccharomyces and Brettanomyces yeasts among natural yeast and bacteria with a second fermentation with Pinot Noir wine must in French oak barrels.

This beer pours reddish-amber in color, slightly hazy, with a very quickly fading pink-colored head. The aroma is moderate red grape with complementing vanilla and a funky light lactic acid and leather. The mouthfeel is moderate lactic sourness with a high carbonation and a light grape skin astringency. The flavor is light red grape with a moderate sourness finishing with a light vanilla and leather character. The sparkling red wine character of this beer is very intriguing but the acidity, high carbonation and light tannic astringency may be a bit overwhelming for all but the most dedicated sour beer aficionados.  Serve in a champagne flute.