Tasting Notes: Alvinne: Podge Bourgogne Barrel Oak Aged

Alvinne: Podge Bourgogne Barrel Oak Aged (Belgium: Imperial Stout: 10.5% ABV)

Visual: Deep dark brown with a fizzy reactive head that has a mayfly lifespan and indicates the present degree of carbonation in the beer.

Nose: liquorice, sour cherries come out massively. Bitter chocolate, potpourri. Oak and wet salty rocks. Sharp lemon acidity and bitter red wine. Strawberry cream centres and slight cream.

Body: Rich chocolate, oak. Slight fizzy texture. Malt. Quite bitter. Liquorish. Lots of sour cherries. Cream. Undertones of sweet creamy chocolate. Slightly oily.

Finish: Red wine and sour cherry. Dry bready taste with accompanying texture. Charred wood. Very long lasting. Roasted buts, charcoal and bitter. Salt – anchovies

Conclusion: A completely different beast to the original podge. The Bourgogne elements overpower a lot of the chocolate elements making it an almost kriek lambic stout.

Whilst it is a pity that the two elements were not married to better effect the resulting beer is still decent, but not what you would have expected knowing it pedigree. This wine like stout is powerful and every now and then the chocolate comes out reminding you of what it could have been.

When this beer hits its stride it is very good and even when the wine elements are massive and overpowering its still good, but you get the hint that this could have been something much more subtle and complex.

A good beer, but at the same time a missed opportunity.