2016 Preservation series Quadrupel Tonnellerie by The Bruery Terreux is a 10.2% ABV Belgian Sour Quadrupel Oak aged with Blackberries.
Label:
Caramelized – Toasty – Fruity
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Our Tonnellerie series is the perfect showcase of our “wildly traditional bière”. French for “cooperage”, each beer in the series shares one core trait: they were all fermented in oak. Beyond that, the recipes and styles are as unique as the cues they take from nature. Quadrupel Tonnellerie, a barrel-fermented Belgian-style quadrupel with blackberries, is no exception. A style known for being at the more malty, complex and rich end of the Belgian strong ale spectrum, this quad revels in layers of sweet caramel, dark fruit and figgy flavors, and complimentary undercurrents of oak. The natural esters from the Belgian yeast compliment the rustic, earthy qualities derived from the barrels and piquant flavors from the fruit for a dynamic flavor profile and mouthfeel that will evolve over time.
==Introduction==
Released to All societies and the public, if I am not mistaken. From what I can tell, this technically would be the first time the Bruery attempts a sour Belgian Quadrupel. The sour Belgian Quadrupel is pretty damn rare. The first time I tried one was at Phantom Carriage in Carson California and the second, (although Brettanomyces on a Quadrupel is more of a funky brew) being the one I got from Texas from my friend Aaron Mendiola at BeerMetalDude.comwould be the Save The World Apocalypse. All delicious for sure but this one is made with Blackberries. I had the Raspberry Quad from Mikkeller recently as well but that one was not barrel-fermented so I am sure the barrel definitely plays a huge roll in the souring process. Let’s have a look at this one. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich Dark fruits of blackberries, raisins, plums, currants, cherries, raspberry, figs, clove spice, bananas, tart Concorde grape skins, wine grapes, port wine, oak vanilla, caramel, blackberry yogurt, blackberry cobbler, fruit cake, earthy funk, caramel, dark candi sugar, leather and tobacco hints.
Flavors:
Wine grapes, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherries, rich tart blackberries, currants, vinous notes, dark candi sugar, dark chocolate, pecan pie, hazelnut hints, tart blackberry cheese cake, blackberry yogurt, sweetended condensed milk, port wine, raspberry Chambord hints, leather, molasses, tobacco notes, anise hints, clove spice, bananas, coffee notes, funky notes, lemon peel, red wine, earthy notes, cinnamon, blackberry cobbler, fruit cake, Concorde grape skins and blackberry muffins.
Aftertaste:
Finishes full of dark fruit with lots of tart blackberry notes, encompassing the vanilla, caramel, clove spice, banana, dark chocolate, blackberry yogurt, oak and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, full dark amber body, effervescent, smooth and silky mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A definitely exceptional Quadrupel. While it is more of a sour than a quadrupel, the exemplification of tarts with the balance of sweet complexity from the Quad seems to balance out very nicely. You get a variety of dark fruits mostly tart than super sour and you dig around until you find the sweet hidden quadrupel inside. While I do not often get a chance to try sour quads, I have to say that this sour quadrupel is actually my favorite sour quadrupel. Definitely give this one a shot!
Anime Corner:
Ayeka Misaki Jurai from Tenchi Muyo was used in this pairing since I wanted to bring her into a review for the longest time. Ayeka being a character from the Tenchi series from the 90s and one that was one of my favorites along with Washu and Ryoko. While she is delicate and sweet in her demeanor as a princes, when she is mad as hell she can become extremely dangerous. This pairs well with her attitude of sweet and sour at times but he strength is hidden like the ABV of this beer. That and the fact that she is always wearing the kimono is as close to a monks attire so I figured this even best exemplifies the pairing.
Sources:
http://shuu-washuu.deviantart.com/art/Princess-Ayeka-571428833
http://media.animegalleries.net/albums/Tenchi%20Muyo/Ayeka/tm_ayeka014.jpg
http://strippin.deviantart.com/art/Ayeka-wallpapper-85801835