Glass: Belgian tulip, snifter
Serving temp: 45-50 degrees
What makes it so good: You probably haven't tasted a beer quite like this, and I'm willing to wager one of my old barleywines on it. This beer was meant to be something memorable. A horse blanket aroma begins the experience with a blend of whiskey barrel, ripe apples, and funky Saison yeast. Bread, cherry wood-smoke, sour apple, coriander and clove are the dominant flavors and the velvety finish is long and slightly bitter with hops and cracked black pepper notes. Overall, this is as unusual combination of sweet and sour, spice and smoke, dank earth. The name references the rosid plant family from which cherry trees hail. I wonder, if this aged this for 5 years, what sort of gem we might have.
Suggested food pairings: Rogue Smokey Blue Cheese, Fire-Grilled Peaches, Wood Fired Pizzas, Smoked Salmon
The info: Brewed one time and released as a celebration of Matt Courtright, a 27-year old Stone brewer who was killed in a forklift accident in the Escondido brewery in August of 2013. He was passionate homebrewer, bright and creative, and considered to be a symbol of the future of the tight-knit Stone company.
A Saison is usually refreshing and light, but this slow-sipper is absolutely the opposite, and a caution to the uninitiated, otherwise it could end up in the drain, quite misunderstood or underappreciated.
Love it or not, you will not forget this tasting experience, so cheers to Matt’s legacy, his passion and skill for his art of brewing. Now I’m hoping for a follow-up.
Price: $7.99 for a 22-ounce bottle
Where to find: At your better craft beer store locations in the Miami Valley.
Jim Witmer, a long-time home brewer and craft beer aficionado, is always on the hunt for innovative, delectable and inspired beers becoming available in the Dayton area. If you have tips or questions, contact him at jim.witmer@coxinc.com
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