Year of New Beer: Examined at Leisure, The Rare Barrel (Berkeley, CA)

Written By: Dion on 04/19/2021

Vibrant nose definitely favors the apricot lineage of the apriums and pluots used in the conditioning of this one. Notes of peach and even a little green apple blend nicely with the musty oak that appears with warmth. Sour, but not face-puckering, allowing the subtleties of the fruit skin to develop. Apricot is the lead here as well, but plum does present as dark, tart berries. Really nice expression of the fruits. The saison aspects of the base blend come out a bit more in the flavor department. A little dusty, slightly funky, with enough herbal qualities to balance the sourness. Oaky tones again on the finish. Absolutely outstanding.