Big Boss Merlot Aged Belgian Brown Ale

pint @ Horniblows Tavern. Good aroma, fruity yeasty. Merlot comes on strong, yeast fruitiness, barrel offers itself once and a while. Orangy brown color, Good head and lace. Bitter sweet flavor. Big on the wine, occasional yeast spice. Medium body, smooth mouth feel, bitter finish. Good, though merlot was too strong for my preference. Aroma had more to offer than flavor.

Draught. Pours brown, murky, mendium tan head. Aroma is strong wine, with all of the flavors expected from a Merlot--earthiness/wood, etc.. and a nice little bit of yeastiness. Flavor is very interesting, merlot mixed with caramel, raisin, and other typical Belgian flavors. Excellent idea!!

Brown pour with garnet hues thin tan head and no lace. Sweet malts, dark fruits, and woody tannins on the nose. Medium bodied. Defined woody merlot flavor up front. Dry finish, slightly bitter and a little salty. I was actually surprised by the saltiness and couldn’t help but to think how good this would go with a nice medium rare steak.

On draught at the brewery tavern. Pours a velvety reddish brown with a short tan head that leaves a little lace. Thick savory aroma of sweet malt, figs, merlot (especially at first), sweet pipe tobacco, and deep in the back, sage/cedar. Merlot jumps out in the flavor, but then subsides a bit allowing cola and tobacco notes in. The finish is dry, salty, and slightly astringent. Medium-bodied with a super smooth, vinuous mouthfeel. Moderate prickly carbonation. No alcohol presence. Very unique offering and very good overall.