I’ve never had a beer like this before. It’s barnyard Belgian funky yeast on the nose, but has a distinct char on the palate along with the saison-y thing. So unusual. A little peppery is starting to come thru now.
IMO, too weird to become too popular.
Getting some sour chocolate now. …sour dark fruits with a little dark chocolate char drizzle? LOL //…//
This is definitely a beer for a very narrow range of customers. There are a handful that would go for it. I don’t try to get folks into beers they wouldn’t like.
I’m surprised at the ’93′ score on RateBeer for it. I’d put it more in the category scored on BeerAdvocate, “Very Good” — or “good”…
Ok, here’s my best descriptor for Existent– “Baltic Porter meets Belgian Saison”
When I say Baltic Porter, I mean more like Aldaris Porteris with its sour fruity notes and Baltika 6 with its bittersweet chocolate notes. And the saison-y thing, yes, do read “FUNKY!” But Existent also has a big char like that you may find in a big imperial stout such as Le Coq, or licking a burnt-out campfire log.
My tasting notes:
For more information, visit these sites—
BeerAdvocate:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22150/63490
RateBeer:
http://www.ratebeer.com/ratings/beer/stillwater-artisanal-ales-existent/134038/
BeerNews:
http://beernews.org/2010/11/stillwater-existent-ale-coming-soon/
Stillwater Ales mentioned in “Gypsy Brewers” article in the Atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/10/the-innovative-gypsy-brewers-shaking-up-the-beer-world/64828/