Taps Brewing Wine Barrel Lager

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Sampled on tap at the brewery and from a clear 355ml twist crown top bottle: Brewer states that this is their amber premium lager that was cold lagered 5 months in 50 gal oak ( used) wine barrels..some still had a swish of red wine left in them... Poured a brilliant golden-amber hue with a rocky 2 finger cap that reduces to as thick surface lace and lasts the drink... Pungent aromas of fresh bread over more subtle aromas of berry fruit and light woody notes... Dense malt spine, medium bodied, creamy mouth feel, mellow-rounded malty character... A big chew of malts up front are soon joined by a balancing dose of herbal hops combined with juicy berry undertones leaves a delicious bready berry-cider decernment mid palate...finishes wet where light woody notes mix with now more medicinal tasting hops,.. biscuity after taste... Seems the oak wine barrels departed very subtle wood and grape skin tastes but more than this the process produced a true wood barrel lagered beer...and this emparts a blissful, mellow drinkable character that you just can't get from stainless steel tank conditioning...well done guys!, look forward to next year's batch...this one was delicious and satisfying.