Barrel-Aged Golden Bitter with Viburnum

Our fifth release of 2023 is a Golden Ale with locally foraged viburnum berries. First brewed in early 2022, the project started as an English Golden Bitter - contrary to what the name implies, this style of British beer is not, in fact, that bitter but rather mild and malt-forward with notes of biscuit, toast, and pear. The base beer then aged in French Sauvignon Blanc barrels, where it underwent secondary fermentation with two strains of wild Brettanomyces and a blend of bacteria to add a hearty dose of funk and approachable acidity. The final ingredient was 75 lbs of viburnum berries, a small red fruit that grows on flowering bushes and lends notes of cranberry, golden raisin, and pomegranate. Floral and fruity, this honey-hued Ale presents flavors of oak, tart apple cider, and currant, plus a more assertive Brett-derived funk. Drink fresh or cellar.