May 3, 2016

Pen Druid Space

Sperryville’s Pen Druid are doing some crazy things with wild yeast. In fact, I don’t believe that I’ve meant a group of guys more enthusiastic about yeast than the brothers Carney. Space is a beer that I picked up and quickly consumed back in late February of this year. It’s an imperial Biere de Miel that weighed in at 11.5% ABV and featured both Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus within it’s hazy depths.

This big beer was also brewed with local honey before heading into two different wine barrels in succession. I don’t remember and didn’t note the name of the vintners, but the barrels involved previously held red wine and cabernet franc. The result of their influence leaves behind light vinous notes and lingering woodiness amongst the beer’s massively wild and funky character.

Space is about as big a Biere de Miel as you would ever want to get. It carries a warming, drying finish after bombarding your senses with an array of funk, wild yeast, grain and more. This is not a beer for the tame of heart.