Is it a beer? Is it a wine? Is it a whiskey? That’s the question you’ll be asking yourself when you pop a bottle of Anchorage Brewing Company Anadromous Black Sour Ale. To be sure, the answer is it’s a beer, and a special one at that. Your palate, however, may believe otherwise, since as you sip you’ll pick up notes of the grain, then the grape, then the grain again.
Normally, I don’t quote this extensively from the brewery, but there’s a lot of information on the label that bears preserving.
The cycle of life can be harsh or rewarding. Born in fresh water, the mighty anadromous Alaska Salmon struggle in their migration from our pristine, roaring streams to the ocean and back, traveling thousands of miles while avoiding many perils, simply to instinctively spawn and die, and often becoming a source of food in our own life cycle.
Sour beers have a distinct life cycle as well in their journey from the oak to the bottle, and ultimately add a rewarding contribution to our own path through life. Rather than slumber in the oak where Anchorage Brewing Company's Anadromous is born, the beer matures for a year and a half while instinctively avoiding the sometimes offsetting perils of fermentation and souring in the deep, dark underworld of the oak.
Unseen to mortals, the beer fights its way to maturity, avoiding attacking bacteria, the alcohol itself and other hidden dangers that might curtail the beer's noble journey to our goblets.
Anadromous is Anchorage Brewing Company's tribute to our rewards and struggles in life. Over 40 different Pinot Noir oak barrels of sour beer were blended to capture the unique contribution of each. Bottle conditioning and time add additional complexity and sourness to the noble brew along its path from the brewery to your glass.
Pull the cork on this mighty species and add a unique experience to your cycle of life. Anadromous is alive and enriching, so enjoy it while celebrating all things good.
See? Told you it was worth reading. Anchorage Brewing Company Anadromous Black Sour Ale has an alcohol content of 8.5% by volume, 30 IBUs and retails for around $14.99 a bottle to $16.99 a fifth sized corked bottle. The label calls it Ale brewed with Summit hops. Triple fermented First in French Oak Foudres, Second in Pinot Noir and whisky barrels with brett and other critters. Finally in the bottle for natural carbonation.
My bottle is Batch #3/April 2016. It was sent to me by my good buddy Scott White and I can’t thank him enough for this one!
Anchorage Brewing Company Anadromous Black Sour Ale pours to a jet-black color with a light head of creamy tan foam and a huge vinous nose. Smells more like a wine than a beer, really. Taking a sip, the beer is smooth and silky with a medium body with nice roast and huge red wine vinous notes. A hint of the whisky pokes through too, with some oak and then the malt fires back with dark chocolate, all wrapped up in an almost puckering sour finish. A hint of the brett pokes through, too.
What a very complex and delicious sipping brew! The price is up there, but this one can back it up, folks. Definitely a beer I would buy again.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft