J.T. Whitneys Dark Belgian Ale

Formerly brewed at J.T. Whitneys Pub & Brewery
Style: Sour Ale
Madison, Wisconsin USA

Name: Belgian Dark Ale
Date: 08/09/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub, Madison

Appearance: clear dark ruby red amber, fine beige head, drippy lace,
Aroma: sweet dark caramel malt aroma with a nice fruity character,
Flavor: sweet dark caramel malt flavor, tart fruity character comes in to balance the caramel sweetness,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Pours a cloudy dark brown colour with a full, forever rising tan head. Aroma is nutty, raisins, toast, milk chocolate on the nose. Taste is slightly sour, otherwise pleasent, well carbonated with notes of spice.

Beerfest in Chilton. Unfortunately I was informed by the keg operator that this was a Porter, so I was quite surprised at the level of tartness in this beer. Now that I read Skyview’s review and see that it is, indeed a sour, I guess it was okay. I was not impressed.

Served on draught at the Wisconsin Micro-brewers Beerfest in Chilton, Wisconsin. Pours a semi-hazy light brown amber brew with a fast dissipating off-white head that dissolves to a thin off-white ring. Aroma of tart fruity character, some yeast, a touch of barnyard funk and some brown sugar. Taste is slightly spritzy, medium bodied with flavors of tart berry with caramel malt, a touch of herbal spice and yeast. Finish has a mild tart berry aftertaste that lingers slowly to a thin caramel taste. Not too overpowering, but just right to my liking. I am happy to see another Wisconsin brewery producing a Brown Sour to attract the neglected sourheads in the beer drinking culture. Most excellent!