New Glarus Unplugged Enigma

Formerly brewed at New Glarus Brewing Company
Style: Sour Ale
New Glarus, Wisconsin USA

Bottle from CaptainCougar. Murky orange-brown body, thin off-white/buff head. Peculiar aroma of gym socks worn several times without a wash. Pepper, leather, and tart bile. Not offensive, but not immediately appetizing, either. The body lacks bite, instead displaying sugars and turned fruits, with a light touch of balsamic vinegar. I didn’t really pick up the cherries; the fermented fruits reminded me of peach, but part of that may be due to the buttery characteristics imparted by the oak. Interesting but not exactly appealing, Enigma lacks the sharp, puckering acidity that I crave.

[Bottled. Marsiblursi delivers] Cloudy redish-copper colour. Low head, almost none at all. Vineous aroma with coconut juice, raspberries and cheddar to name a few. Flavour is glue up front, or almond paste, very much raspberry tart and late touches coconut juice. Sourish backbone, with vanilla. Soft mouthfeel with low Co2. There is also oak and red apples. Bit of vinegar. Semi short fruitcake finish.

(Bottle, thanks to Marsiblursi) Sampled at a tasting night at Marsiblursi’s place. I’m sorry, I just don’t like these types of beer... Anyway. Shady red and brown color, tan head. Scent is massive oak and vanilla, also vinous. Sour lactic taste, feels infected. All over just too sour! Lemon bite mouthfeel, low bitterness.

(Bottle, thanks JCapriotti) Pours hazy red. The aroma is of oak wood, vanilla, cherries, raspberries, coconut, fruits, nuts, cheddar cheese and maybe some spices in the background. Light sour flavour with vanilla, berries, apples and vinager. Some orange and grapefruit. Medium bodied. Blursi likes, marsi don´t.

Big thanks to Santa for this gem! Muddy brown, thin light tan head. Nose is a bourbon aged Belgian strong w. some sour characteristics. Bourbon (vanilla, wood), cherry acidity, earthy malt - very inviting. Flavor is slightly cherry acidity, vanilla & bourbon, a good amount of sweet malt lingers in the finish. Somewhat like Stille Nacht Reserve ’05 but much better done!

12 oz bottle courtsey of MIBRomeo! Thanks! Thank god, a very light vinegar smell, i can actually handle puttin my nose in the snifter. I’m gettin some oak, and grapes in the smell. Sweet, can taste the oak, and sour, with a nice little punch to finish. I’m gettin nervous that i might be starting to like this style.

Bottle. Thanks to jdg0608. Poured a murky redish color. Aroma of sulfar and vinager. Taste is sweet with a sour finish.

Bottle, thanks to iowaherkeye. Pours a very hazy dark brown color with a thick off white head. Fruity aromas, cherries, dried fruits, spice, slighly smokey. Nice flavor, acidic and tart. There are fruit flavors, not much bitterness. Very unique, and quite good. Nice mouthfeel and a great sour finish. An excellent brew.