Cascade Brewing Apricot Ale Belgian Style Flanders 2009 Ale

I finally feel fancy enough to open one of the sour ales I brought back from my amazing visit to Cascade Brewing’s Barrel House, so let’s pop the cork on with Cascade Brewing’s Belgian Style Flanders 2009 Apricot Ale.

Cascade Brewing Apricot Ale Belgian Style Flanders 2009 Ale poured a hazy dark apricot color, it’s fizzy white head fed by strong carbonation trails.  The nose was surprisingly subdued, being dominated by apricot supported by slightly sour citrus and yeast notes.

Cascade Brewing Apricot Ale Belgian Style Flanders 2009 Ale opened with a soft, fizzy start that carried a rounded sourness that settled into a dry, apricot center.   A subtle, funky yeast background, combined with an oaking more felt than tasted, gave the ale a well integrated, mature dry fade.  

Cascade Brewing Apricot Ale Belgian Style Flanders 2009 Ale is a fantastic example of what happens when a great sour ale is given time to mature.