Chateau Jiahu

[hops99]

I was pretty geeked to get this in last Friday, but finally had a chance to sample it tonight.

This Dogfish Head beer, supposedly based on a 9,000 year old Chinese recipe, is a hybrid. There are other beers that I've had in the past (and others that people have mentioned as well) that have some wine-like qualities, but this "beverage" is most like wine in nearly every way (well, it is brewed with fermented grape juice, for starters).

The beer pours golden, with a medium head and decent lacing on the glass. Here's where it gets interesting. As a wine enthusiast, the nose closely resembles that of a good German Riesling - specifically from the Mosel. Green apples and a hint of petroleum abound.

The taste is also German Riesling. A mixture of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious Apples, a touch of honey, with a semi-dry finish. Good, thick mouthfeel, but I'm not sure that I'd want to drink more than a glass or two at a time.

I think this beer is a must try, certainly one of the most unusual brews I've tasted in a while.

750ml, $6.99

[MeridianFC]

I had this on draft at the brewpub several months back. At the time I asked the server what it was and she didn't know but I gave it a go anyway. I noted at the time that it seemed to have a real tasted of wine grape amongst its other flavors. I found out later that there is a grape (or grape like) component in it. I think you hit a lot of the highlights in your tasting notes. I might say a bit more Charodonnay than Riesling as far as that taste but I'll not quibble too much.