The 8th release in our Love Child series of blended sour ales is composed of a Flanders-style red base and Belgian-style golden ale. The very first release of a Love Child blend was 100% soured Bourbon Barrel Quad, but each subsequent batch has included an increasing amount of Flanders-style red. For that reason, the strength has been steadily declining from the 12.5 ABV of Love Child No. 1 to more recent releases in the 8-9.5% range.
Following primary fermentation in stainless steel tanks with our house Belgian yeast strain, the component batches of beer were aged in a variety of whiskey and wine barrels with lactobacillus and brettanomyces. Following aging, samples were pulled from like lots and blended during a tasting session attended by brewers and members of our quality assurance team. With each release of a Love Child blend, it’s not our intention to reproduce the character of the previous year’s blend, but rather to offer a blend of the very best sour beers we have on hand.
The blend for Love Child No. 8 breaks down as follows:
Flanders-style red aged in previously used red wine barrels – 41%
Belgian-style golden ale aged in previously used red wine barrels – 53%
Love Child No. 7 blend aged in previously used red wine barrels – 6%
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he resulting beer was blended together in a bottling tank on our Smokestack Series bottling line and inoculated with brettanomyces and our bottle conditioning yeast strain. This release features soft lactic acidity punctuated with slight acetic acid notes and a tart, fruity flavor reminiscent of sour cherries and green strawberries. At 9% ABV and 9 IBUs, Love Child No. 8 pairs perfectly with beef carbonnade, strong/funky/soft cheeses, light salads with citrus vinaigrettes and dark chocolate.
Love Child No. 8 debuts in the Greater Kansas City Area on June 5th (draft) and June 6th (750 mL bottles) with other regions to follow soon.
- ----Jeremy Danner, Ambassador Brewer
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