The Stoic, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon, A Prized, Potent Belgian-styled Quad of Stirring Depth and Complexity. …well, there, I don't need to say anything more, right?) The Stoic, malt beverage brewed with pomegranate with 16.5% beoing aged in oak wine barrels and 16.5% aged in oak rye whiskey barrels.
Clear, deep amber hue, slim head. Looks nice, despite the meager foam.
Aroma: the barrels speak first, oak and rye come right out of the nose, fruit and alcohol (11%) come next. Deep, while delicate. Pomegranate is here, accompanied by pear and apple.
Taste: Bright, ripe fruit, as before, apple, pear, pomegranate, met with cherries and berries. A switch of spice comes shining through, and the oak rises up, as well. It all coalesces, in an intriguing bl
end.
Was it red wine in the oak barrels? Not sure, but I can feel that flavor coming through. I am glad they judiciously aged a mere 1/3 of the brew, for too much would be overpowering, and I appreciate some subtlety more than ever these days.
Malt makes a good match for the high alcohol. No hops, low bitterness, but fine, funky fruit flavor, and beautiful oak additions. I'm loving this. Stirring Depth and Complexity, indeed. I've made fast friends with this Stoic.
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