Pizza Port Cuvee de Tomme

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
San Marcos, California USA

2008 vintage, Sinner’s Club version. The pour yields a dark and brooding ruby red body. A very small, frothy, cream colored head settles to a lasting rim. Soapy lace slowly glides down the glass, returning to the body. The aroma is like a symphony of contrasting elements that somehow come together and agree to get along for the greater good. Fruity elements include fermented boysenberries, pinot noir grapes, and tart cherry skins. Oaky vanilla and the perfect bourbon kiss show the mastery of the barrel application. Mild dark spicing and a dry, wild, bretty bite finish off the wonderful nose. The flavor is considerably more tart than the aroma indicates, the sour cherries forcing themselves to the front of the line. Dark raisons and soured berries emerge as the liquid rolls around the tongue. Like the cherries, the bourbon influence is stronger in the mouth. The oak is woody and sour, not as vanilla driven as one might expect. Semi-dry on the palate, the substantial mouthfeel is very delicately carbonated. The hefty ABV is noticeable, though not overbearing. Overall, this is a fantastic brew, and perhaps the quintessential definition of the term "hybrid". Equal parts Belgian Strong Ale, Sour Ale, Pinot Noir, and Sherry, all with a significant bourbon influence and a tart, bretty overtone. Whatever you call it, I call it "damn good."

Bottle generously shard by footbalm. Pours a dark red/brown with a small white head. The aroma is just amazing; bourbon, sweet fruit and tart cherries, vanilla, just tons stuff in here. The taste was surprisingly tart; sour cherries, whiskey and bourbon, some funk and yeast, raisins and more of that full tartness from barrel aged sour cherries. A full and medium thick mouthfeel. A great aftertaste like a amazing dessert. Just great. Sour, but also allowing so many other flavors. Thanks Eric for this gem.

Lot of bourbon in the aroma, but the aroma is not overwhelming. A little bit of dull cherry too....some sourness. Straight up sour, not any brett sourness, just sourness from lactic acid. Taste is sweet, bourbon, sourness comes in full on the finish with cherry and vanilla comes through too- oakiness makes itself present. Finish is creamy, slightly tart, and full bodied without being overwhelming. This is a freaking amazing blend of flavors.

375 ml bottle from LA. Pours a dark brown color with a small beige head that quickly dissipates. The aroma is rich with sour cherries, green apples, parsley, allspice, red wine and spicy oak. The flavor is similarly complex with with sour cherries in the forefront--wine, tobacco, leather, vanilla, and spices filling in the sides. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with high acidity and prickly carbonation. The finish is long, dry and sour. Overall: A very potent sour that is not for the casual beer drinker. I thought it was great.

375ml bottle, Toronado San Diego, 2008 version. Excellent beer, the pour was a very dark red color, with a nice head. the taste was of sour cherries. Just an incredible beer.

(Bottle thanks to omhper) Pours dark brown with a small, dark sand colour head. The aroma is of funky brettanomyces with tones of leather, horse blanket, moldy basement, cherry fruity, earth and some light vanilla-ish oak notes. Malty backdrop of toast, syrup and tiny caramel hints. Typical aromas but everything is just perfectly balanced. Vinous. The flavour is of tannins, cherries, brett, oak/light vanilla and earth. Medium tart, sour and acidic. Light sweet. Just a touch of chocolate is present. The mouthfeel is full, soft, clean, tart, dry and light buttery. Medium to full bodied. This beer is like nothing else - a blend of sour ale and a malty imperial something something…

Bottle from ibrew2or3. Aroma of cherries. Brown in color, small white head. Taste is very complex. Fruity sour cherries, tart raison, yeasty (brett) characteristics. Taste like a wine. Lots of carbonation. Dry. Not my favorite but still a good complex beer.

375 ml bottle via Sinner’s - my first taste at the Brouwer’s Sour Fest a few months back was very underwhelming, so I’m glad I have a few bottles to revisit; pours dark brown with almost no head; aromas are earthy, tart, slightly funky, cherries and very red wine-ish; slight cream and warm texture to the body; also a little fizzy, which I guess is more from the yeast and cherry combo; very impressed this time around; complex and delicate with dry, fruity finish; sourness muted and mixed well