Vlad the Imp Aler by Cascade Brewing is a blended style sour beer and is being evaluated as a Wild Specialty Beer (category 28C in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Wild Specialty Beers are sour or funky beers with fruit or spices and are typically aged in wood. Vlad the Imp Aler is a blend of quad and blond ales aged in bourbon and wine barrels for up to two years with orange peel and coriander.

Vlad the Imp Aler pours light amber in color with a slight haze and a small, quickly fading off-white head. The aroma is moderately wild with aromas of leather and horse blanket along with red wine, dark cherries and bready malt. The flavor is moderately lactic acidic with wild notes of leather along with red wine, toasted oak and a hint of bourbon. The beer finishes lightly bittered with a moderate lactic sourness and flavors of red wine, dark cherries and a hint of bready malt.

Vlad the Imp Aler is a solidly brewed strong (11.6 percent ABV) sour ale. The wild character is straightforward and not overly funky. The sourness is moderate and well balanced by enough malt to not be overly sour. The alcohol content is extremely deceptive. Enjoy this awesome sour ale!