Diurnal Nights

Judge’s Review

Brad Darnell
Grand Master III BJCP Judge

Rating 95 (Exceptional)

Judges Rating: 95
Aroma: 23/24
Appearance: 6/6
Flavor: 38/40
Mouthfeel: 9/10
Overall Impression: 19/20

Diurnal Nights is a Wine Barrel Aged Mixed-Fermentation Ale with Wine Grapes from Moonshot Brewing Co. I am judging this beer according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines as Category 28B: Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer.

Initial aromatics are fresh oak, lightly tannic with some vanillin, and soft berry notes from the grapes, strawberry and red currant specifically. The beer pours a somewhat clear garnet with a tight-bubbled, nearly fizzy off-white head with pink hues that persists only at the glass’s edge. Medium funky and barnyard notes blend seamlessly with the grapes, and there is an underlying low sweet malt aroma. The first sip reveals a puckeringly tart, acidic and bright red wine grape character bursting with red currants, cranberries, and faint strawberry jam, creating a richly sweet jam character easily supplanted and restrained by bright acidity and tartness.

Berries continue dominating the aroma, though wild fermentation notes permeate throughout and present an underlying wet forest floor note in addition to the aforementioned funky/barnyard character. This is quite the complex and contemplative aroma. Back to the flavor, the berry notes are bright and persistent, lingering long into the very dry finish. There is some neutral malt character with a light sweetness and faint tannic character from the wine barrel. Medium-bodied and medium carbonation with no warmth, creaminess, or astringency.

Overall, a complex beer that invites contemplative sipping, and one that would pair nicely with a cheesecake where the beer takes the place of the topping and cuts through the creamy fats therein.

Brewer’s Description

Wine barrel aged mixed fermentation Sour Ale, starting in our foudor then aged 4 years in two Malbec barrels, one aged with Malbec grapes, the other with Petit Verdot, both grape varietals from our friends vineyard. Blended after a long aging process and bottled to bring you a beautiful and elegant beer.

Beer Style & Statistics

Beer Style: German Pils
Beer Style Family: Pale Bitter European Beer
Availability: Year-Round
ABV: 6.1%

IBUs: 2.5
Served at: 55 ºF
Hops: Idaho #7
Malts: Genie Pale, Sonora Wheat, Acidulated

Brewery Information

Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer | Limited Release | Washington | USA