Surly Pentagram

This is a seasonal release brew from the Surly Brewing Company of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. They are nearing completion on a huge new destination brewery and taproom in Minneapolis near the University of Minnesota campus. The taproom is expected to open in the next month or two I believe.  This is a dark beer that uses Brett yeast and is then aged in used red wine barrels.

The beer pours a very dark brown, nearly black, along with dark ruby. There is a short head of off-white to light beige head. The aroma is sour, tart, funky, old leather, spicy, vinous. The taste is dark roasted malt, dark chocolate, mocha, along with the notes of the aromas, sour, balsamic vinegar, vinous, old red wine, leather, earthy, woody. The finish is very dry and immensely tart. The beer drinks smooth and round, as much like wine as like beer, but for the soft carbonation. This is well-done.