 aspidites (1268), manteca, California, USA
May 10, 2008 Updated: Jul 11, 2008
Wait ok check glass, yeah it still says Valley Brew even though I could swear I briefly glimpsed Rodenbach on it. I close my eyes and smell it again and I am instantly transported to pre-Palm Roselare. Wow this has a spectacular nose, crack in liquid form that could just as easily be the perfume of a bikini model. Did Steve channel the Rodenbach gods or perform some strange voodoo beer ritual over this? I am afraid to taste it because that amazing nose cannot be topped. Big yet soft yet bold and spicy with herbal fruit notes and wonderful bread and oak come thru. Oh shit my glass is almost empty but at least I saved money on that plane ticket.
And it could not be named after a nicer guy, uglier than hell but a damned great guy.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Phil’s Wild Mild aka The Road Back-While taking a stroll through the fields of Flanders sipping from a Valley Brewing Chalice I could have sworn that I heard whispers telling me to take the road back, but where was it and where would it lead? As I took in the beauty of my surroundings and the amazing liquid in my glass I noticed a road to my left nestled in the trees. As I followed the winding road all of my senses alive with the sounds and sights of nature I realized that a simple journey could transcend almost any experience. When I turned the last corner a sign came into view but it was too far away to read and the sun was setting directly above it so that I could not focus directly ahead of me, I picked up my pace and noticed that I was down to my last quaff of Brew the sign was directly in front of me and I was finally able to make out what it said which was simply, Roselare. Wild Mild is a beer that pays homage to the wonderful brewing traditions from Flanders Belgium. Soft and delicate yet bold, spicy, herbal and tannic with a wonderful appetizing acidity this is a marvel of depth, complexity and balance that belies its strength, a great beer to enjoy with a good cigar or as an alternative to Red wine with dinner.
Dickinsonbeer (2512), Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Aug 6, 2008 Thanks to Frumpty for sharing. Pours a medium ruby amber- some haze, no head- very minimal light soft carbonation. Aroma is mineral-like, light metallic, vitamin B hint, with a good dose of malt vinegar- Flemish sour-like- similar to rodenbach, lots of acetobacter. Flavor - light sweetness, some sugary sweet sharpness cut by the acidity, almost a fruity raspberry and cherry pie like funk going on- lots of pedio, but very low brett character detected - again good rodenbach like sourness in the end, with some murky yeastiness clouding it a bit. Prickly harsh acidity- lots of pedio, acetobacter, nice malt vinegar acetic acid- hints of red wine vinegar as well. The apple acidity I get from some older Flemish reds isn’t in this one. Nice Flemish red.
TURDFERGUSON (1115), Carrboro, North Carolina, USA
Aug 4, 2008 6oz Bottle from frumptydumpty. Thanks so much for sharing this Ryan. Pours a dark hazy amber with no head. Nose of vinegar and wood. Flavor is very similar to aroma, more wood and vinegar with a hint of sour cherries. Would be nice to try a larger sample someday but I was super-psyched to get some of this.
Ofortuna (303), Grafton, Wisconsin, USA
Jul 29, 2008 Many thanks to Jason for this one! Pours completely still. Good use of bugs in this one. Nice complexity and very compatible nature of the funk playing off each other. Bits of Bing cherries, toffee, and a certain nuttiness. Not a huge fan of the base as it’s a bit light on the palate and mouthfeel. Highlight of this beer is the job they did working the bugs to produce their tasty goodness.
BrianK (67), New Jersey, USA
Jul 28, 2008 Sampled at Stone Sourfest. Flat. Vinegarish aroma. Very balanced tartness. Definately would like to drink this one again.
pantanap (725), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Jul 26, 2008 187ml bottle. thanks jason for bringing this deserving top 50 brew!.... transparent caramel brown with absolutely no head which begs me to question why i gave this a 4. but i digress.... aroma of sour vinegar, lightly spices but it all comes off pretty sell. caramel sweet malt and an equal tart component. sounds off but it works.... flavors like a very smooth sour brown. great tart aspect to it and very well rounded. really wish i had a full pour of this!
|
