New Albanian Silent Oath

This draft brew from the brewery poured a small sized head of light brown colored finely sized foamy mostly lasting bubbles that left behind a good lacing and a softly carbonated dark ruby red brown body. The aroma was mild with roasty dark brown malty notes. The mouth feel was tingly vinous and biting with a lingering finish of sweet raisin and dark malts in the flavor. I found this brew to be a bit on the harsh side and would have preferred it to be a bit more smooth. Perhaps some aging is in order here.

Draft at Rich O’s in New Albany, IN. Small tan head, good lacing, no visible carbonation, opaque, and a reddish brown hue. Malty, fruity and woody aroma. Malty, woody, and somewhat of a roasty flavor. Mouthfeel was smooth. Medium bodied beer. Was told at this establishment that this is a "Belgian", but it’s listed as "A Flemish Sour Ale" on the site.

They’re calling it a "Belgian Brown Ale" but I don’t really know what that means so I’ll call it "Newcastle with Apples in it." It was okay, and the apple undertones weren’t that strong. I liked it.

Sample at the brewpub, provided straight out of the fermenter by Mike the brewer. Extremely dark and thick; grapy-sweet nose, which really develops as it warms into some nice complexness, with whiskey and pepper additions. Smoky, grapy and alcoholic (Mike claims around 10%, strong indeed for a Flemish Sour!), with a medium woodiness...mostly sweet. This sample was basically finished except for being a bit undercarbonated; certainly a unique experience, quite far from the average of the style but entrancing to those that love experimentation.

Pours a deep mahogany with a puffy cream-colored head. Aroma is complex and sweet with some toffee, light fruits, bready Belgian yeast, oak and a touch of tartness. Doesn’t even seem like a Flemish sour at first, almost more like a barrel-aged old ale. Caramel malt protrudes before giving way to sour cherries toward the finish, yet exhibiting a nice balance. A unique and certainly flavorful Flemish sour.

At Gravity Head/NABC: Deep reddish hue with a big frothy head and okay lace. The aroma hints of dusty and earthy yeast esters, cherry and current, lemon, caramel malts, and aromatic hops. The taste starts malty and fruity, balanced. A twangy and somewhat sour/tart midsection. The finish displays a vanilla, slightly woody, and nutty tone with nice lingering bitterness. Medium-bodied with a soft and lush mouthfeel. Nice, the barrel aging is sublime and does not overpower, done right!

Pours cola brown with a very full thick tan head. Fruity and nutty aroma. Lightly cherry with some nuttiness. Very good.

Draft: Michael, the brewer calls this a Belgian Brown in the style of Flanders. Like no other brown ale I've had - and that is a good thing to me! Very fruity. Another excellent offering from NABC!