Love Child No. 1 - Boulevard Brewing Co.

BeerMaverick

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Fire-like darker orange/amber colored beer with minimal head that fades quickly. Completely translucent with no sediment or particles floating around.

S - Not as sour as expected (much less sour than LC #2) with some noticeable bourbon flavor and a stronger malt presence (than LC #2). Minor fig/grape nuances play in the background.

T - Much more bourbon flavor, as suggested by the aroma, that provides some heat to this sour brew. Sourness is there, but not overpowering, and fails to conceal the alcohol although it unexpectedly works nicely with it (12.5% is tough to hide regardless). The darker fruits are more dominant here as well: fig, grape, and maybe some plum.

M - The lingering bourbon character meshes well with the slight sourness and malty backbone. These three elements are what carry over into the aftertaste.

O - This is a very impressive and unique beer. I don't know of any other brews that attempt to coordinate bourbon and sourness and I'm happy to say that Boulevard has done it well. Neither aspect is dominant, and although this beer isn't as sour as most wild ales, it provides the perfect amount of sourness to augment the levels of bourbon present. I wish this beer wasn't only made once.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 20:32:12 | More by BeerMaverick

mlazzaro

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle from Marty's Wholesale in Allston MA.

Beautiful color. Ruby Red body with a cream colored head. Retention is just so so. Barrel lends a rich darker tone to the color. Mild carbonation. Sat around for a good while so its nice and clear.

The smell was immediately noticeable and pungent. Seems to have mellowed out since. At first intense cherries, funk, and liquor aroma. Barrel is most noticeable in the smell.

My first impression is its awfully boozie and warming. As my palate adjusted I was able to pull more from the beer. Tartness is mild in the sip. Clearly something "wild" happening. Bourbon really shines without scorching the other flavors. Cherries come off as sweet cherries but thoroughly fermented. Barrel taste like char and liquor. Really has a character of drinking spirits.

Interesting beer, not too many like it. Cheers the to proprietor!

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 23:10:05 | More by mlazzaro

abrethanson

California

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

thank you to Payton @ Boulevard for this "not sold in stores or anywhere for that matter" gift. Poured this brew for Sunset #07.15.

Appearance - pours a funkalicious rusted red caramel with surprisingly no head (maybe from the travel?). When held against the light a burst of orange becomes apparent around the edge which seems drawn to the sunset. Besides the color it is a very cloudy brew with little sediments swimming around. Definitely looks the part of uniqueness if not magnificent.

Smell - we got tart, fruity, tart from this bottle. Not a whole lot of funk but the Brett yeastiness pokes its head out a mingles for a bit. A drop of vanilla pops out as well.

Taste - Bam! With its fruity tartness, the Lactobaccillus gets the party started before it even hits your taste buds. A heaping bowl of citrus with strong notes of grapefruit provide bitterness. A kick of vinegar adds a little bit to the sour complexity. Just like the smell, vanilla from the oak stops by for a short time. Surprisingly the funky brother Brett seems to be hiding away from this party. Also, for 12.5% the alcohol is well hidden and sticks to the background like a wallflower pining for someone to take notice

Mouth feel - Little to no carbonation. Crisp and dry like a fine wine.

Overall - as a true California transplant would say, "Awesome!" This beer tasted as exciting as I imagine it was brewing. Was a little thrown off as the label listed it as very funky and lightly sour but who really cares. Looking forward to comparing this No. 1 to No. 2.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 02:05:40 | More by abrethanson

zeff80

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Billy Cabral for sharing this one.

A - Poured out a cloudy, dark amber color with one finger, soapy, bubbly, tan head. It left some sudsy lace on the glass.

S - It smelled funky, funky and funky. Some malt and bourbon-like aromas.

T - Sour and funky with strong phenolic flavors. There is some sweet caramel and maltiness. A touch of oak, but mostly funky and tartness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and had a little pucker to it. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This was fantastic. I can't wait for more Boulevard sour ales.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 21:19:57 | More by zeff80