Judge's Review: 92 Rating - Sémillon Barrel Aged Alani by Reformation Brewery

Sémillon Barrel Aged Alani by Reformation Brewery is being evaluated as Wild Specialty Beer (2015 BJCP Category 28C).  The beer features Niagara grapes, Lactobacillus, and barrel aging in a Sémillon barrel.

It pours hazy with a peach color with hues of pink.  A small, ivory head forms but doesn’t linger. The grape forward nose is reminiscent of a chardonnay grape with restrained lactic acid and oak.  Light grainy malt is also present without additional complexity that esters or hops could bring.  

The flavor is a pleasant, moderate amalgamation of grapes, vanilla, and lower levels of soft oak.  Clean fermentation, no malt, no hops, and low bitterness allow the barrel and grapes to shine. Semi-dry finish with a lingering lactic tange provide a thirst-quenching experience.

Sémillon Barrel Aged Alani is a solid offering that has a solid amount of character at only 5.9 % ABV.  Its smooth flavor with barrel-forward and grape flavors would appease both the beer as well as the wine drinker.