2014 Contemplating Waterloo by Adelbert’s Brewery is 9.1% ABV Belgian Saison aged in Gin Barrels

Label:
While enjoying a beer with our good friends at Treaty Oak Distilling Co., we contemplated the possibilities of aging our beers in their barrels. Soon we were filling their Waterloo Antique Gin barrels with Philosophizer, our spicy and citrusy saison.

A complex array of lavender, juniper and oak from the barrel balanced with the Philosophizer to create a smooth, warming ale.

Pair this ale with dishes like chicken alfredo, veal scallopini and strawberry cheesecake.
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Aldebert’s brewery is mostly exclusive to Texas but distribution is starting to come through in many places. This unique beer was provided to me by my good friend Aaron at www.beermetaldude.com. Gin is sometimes not really barrel-aged and this is probably the reason why we don’t see a lot of Gin-Barrel Aged beers as the composition of Gin includes a lot of botanicals and Juniper Berries. However, after looking at the Waterloo Antique Gin, these are put in a barrel so the extra complexity just rolls right off and the fact that the special saison which is already a flowery botanical like beer added, well, if there is a flowery Nirvana out there, let’s just hope this beer takes us there.

Aromas:
Lots of Lavender, Gin, Vanilla, grapes, flowers, peppercorn, hibiscus, citrus, honey dew melon, basil, orange citrus, sage spice, banana, rich plantains, rich oak, sugar cane, flan hints, brown sugar, stone fruit apricot, apples, juniper berries, green tea, chamomile, biscuit bread, clove spice, white wine, chardonay, coriander spice and rye.

Flavors:
Apples, raspberries, white wine grapes, citrus, stone fruit apricots, peaches, plum notes, Gin, vanilla, oak, dulce de leche caramel, honey dew melons, lavender, hibiscus, chamomile hints, green tea, plantains, banana, biscuit bread, sugar cane, flan, brown sugar, peppercorn, orange blossom honey, coriander, clove spice, rye bread, blue basil, ginger spice, chardonay, fancy wine and cheese party, juniper berries, blue berry muffins, cherries and blackberries.

Aftertaste:
Finishing up dry with only some gin, sugar cane sweetness, farmhouse hay, vanilla, oak and white wine grapes. Slight booziness but that is mainly from the Gin but it really doesn’t take way from the awesome flavor but inspires the beer. A sipping drinkability with a almost syrupy mouthfeel and clear to medium golden body.

Overall:
Exceeding a lot of expectations here. This is the first Gin Barrel-Aged Beer I have ever had and it sure flew past that perfect radar for me. There was a lot going on here and as I remember back in the day when I tried Gin I remember it had a unique taste which that and the flowery saison creates a complex berry and flowery type of beer. I highly recommend this one was it is rare to see Gin Barrel-aged beers but also the fact that this one works so damn well with a saison.

Anime Corner:
Original Character Tia Won by Plopinou was used in this pairing for different reasons. The label has shotguns being the first but overall it has to do with the color red and the red coats that the British wear in reference to the Battle of Waterloo which was the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815. Sure, the character does not have a British army vest but red was a primary color. Anyways, that is what I thought of when I heard the name Waterloo although we already know it has to do with the Waterloo Antique Gin. Either way, I thought it was an interesting connection and I figure I would elaborate my choice in pairing.