Today we’re reviewing the Departed Soles Brrr-Berry Winter Ale, brewed in New Jersey USA. The can is a colorful one (as per usual) covered in fruit–dressed in their winter-best. This is my sixth review of Departed Soles Brewing Co., so be sure to browse the others at the end of this review.
Departed Soles Brewing is sort of a 50/50 brewery. They brew both gluten free and gluten full beers, but they take a huge amount of precaution to assure that none of their beers experience cross-contamination, including carefully storage of their brewing ingredients.
This gluten free Winter Ale is brewed on a base of millet, buckwheat, quinoa, and oats. (Oat-reactors, stay clear.) It also includes some winter spices (like ginger) and then the whole beer is conditioned on raspberry puree. The Brrr-Berry Ale has a 5.9% ABV and is packaged in 12 ounce cans as a December/January seasonal.
Here’s the beer pour so you can see what it looks like! Keep reading to learn what I thought of it.
The Taste Test
Brrr-Berry Winter Ale
The Brrr-Berry Winter Ale pours with a syrup-like texture and a dark reddish brown color. It has a fantastic head, which you can see best in the pour video. The clarity is extremely low. It appears thick and lets only a small amount of light through when held up to a light source.
The aroma is packed full of berries of all types. I smell cranberry, blueberry, raspberry, and even some cherry on the nose. It honestly smells like I’m about to drink the center of a pie! There’s some sweetness, some tartness, and so much richness to the aroma.
Shockingly, there’s virtually no sweetness on the tongue. I have to say, I didn’t see this coming at all. It is tart and dry, almost like a sour. The flavor harnesses much more of the spice than the fruit, which is completely reversed in the aroma. The ginger lightly coats the tongue, but it’s light enough not to impart any real heat.
When you sip, the berries hit at the front and middle of the palate, then quickly fade into mild hoppy bitterness. I almost wish there was a teensy touch of sweetness to balance out the dryness a little. (I don’t think I’ve ever said those words before!) And it’s really just because the fruity flavors fade so thoroughly, that I crave a little something to carry them through.
The body is medium-full and the carbonation is gentle. The texture of the Brrr-Berry coats your mouth a bit as you drink. Another thing I can say about this beer is that it almost completely clears the palate shortly after swallowing. It’s a bit shocking honestly, given the spice content and how dense the beer is.
I can safely say that the Brrr-Berry Winter Ale is an extremely unique offering. From its aroma to its flavor-coaster of fruit and spice, it certainly belongs on your tasting list. (If you can get your hands on it!) If you’re in New Jersey or surrounding areas, give it a taste and let me know your thoughts.
What to check out more of Departed Soles Brewing’s lineup? Here’s a handful of other beers I’ve reviewed in the past:
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