New Glarus Oud Bruin

New Glarus Oud Bruin, New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, WI. "Drink Indigenous."

Clear and bright ruby red, with a full, off-white head, leaving lace, looking good.

Aroma: the sour hits first, and then the sweet, with cherry the biggest part of them both. Mostly malt below. Beautiful.

Taste: first sip and the sour takes over, rushes over the palate, dominates the senses. Brown ale beneath holds it down firmly, with the sourness never quitting, delivering the pucker with each new sip. Bracingly sour, deliciously sour, refreshingly sour. Moderate bitterness, slides just along the palate. Sour, bitter, sweet, all good things at once.

Wonder what the label says? "Our brewmaster Dan launched his Wild Fruit Cave this winter brewing Oud Bruin, a Flander's {sic} style ale that is immensely complex, both tart and sweet. Soft toffee notes lead with a blend of Wisconsin, British and German malts that first rested in the Coolship before spontaneously fermenting on oak in the cave. Hallertau hops, matured in the horse barn, elegant support sparkling fruit notes that frolic before a punctuated oak finish. 100% naturally fermented in oak vessels, this is an elegant beer that can be enjoyed now or the patient few can lay in their personal cellar to age."

So, it's "elegant."