Beer of the Week: Barrel Aged Didactic, Justice Brewing, Everett

Published 9:52 am Monday, March 14, 2016

Barrel Aged Didactic

Justice Brewing, Everett

Style: Wild Sour Brown Ale

Stats: 8 percent ABV, 20 IBU

Available: On tap and in 500-milliliter bottles; can be found at Brigid’s Bottleshop, Elliott Bay Pizza, The Hop and Hound, Bottleworks, Full Throttle Bottles, 99 Bottles. Also will be offered by Tavour.com.

My thoughts: I recently visited a friend and he offered me a taste of some whiskey from Seattle’s Westland Distilling. It was a mildly peaty, flavorful whiskey.

I was reminded of this when I popped the cap off a bottle of Didactic. A scent of fine whiskey hit my nose as I poured it into my glass. I swirled it in my glass and took a deep breath. Ahhhhh …

The reason is because Didactic was aged for 18 months in Westland Distilling whiskey barrels. Beer aged that long can sometimes have a harsh alcoholic taste and nose, but Didactic doesn’t suffer from that.

I still remember visiting Justice head brewer Nate McLaughlin last summer and seeing the barrel in a corner of the brewery. He said it would be ready soon.

Now the liquid goodness is ready, and it’s a beautiful thing. A smooth and slightly tart brown ale, Didactic is very balanced and not overly assertive. This is a beer that is easy to sit and sip.

It’s easy to see why sour beers are so popular. They are complex and varied, and give beer drinkers a different experience. Didactic, with its subtle notes of caramel and vanilla, fits that description perfectly. I suggest grabbing a bottle or pint on draft before it runs out. Hurry!

From the brewery: A more aggressive American take on a West Flanders classic, the Flemish Brown. Mildly acidic, caramel malt flavors with dark fruits. Notes of vanilla and whiskey from the extended aging in oak from Westland Distillery and hints of leather and sour cherry. Unlike kettle soured beers this one aged the hard way. Brewed in August 2014 and just now ready for consumption.

— Aaron Swaney