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Splinter Gold Batch #2 – Tröegs Brewing Company

May 22nd, 2013 | Add a Comment | Written by Kenton Martin

I will hold onto this for a future bottle share

Late last Friday night, I received a text message from Russ: “Did you get Splinter Gold? [It was] released at Tröegs today.” In disbelief, I thought Russ was pulling a fast one at first. Surely Tröegs would give more notice when releasing such a widely anticipated beer. After all, this was the first time the brewery would be releasing a Splinter series since its move to Hershey. It wasn’t until I saw this tweet that I knew it was the real deal. I showed up Saturday morning just before opening to ensure I got myself a bottle and a taste of it. The limit was one bottle per person, per day, but the allotment was split between the store and the tasting room. This meant you could drink one on-site and take one home for later. Thankfully, I got to split a bottle with some new friends I met in line instead of having to burn through a whole bottle by myself.

The transformation of Splinter Gold has been a slow rest in oak wine barrels dosed with brettanomyces. During a two-year aging period the horsey flavors of the brett combined with the Westmalle yeast used during primary fermentation create a complex blend of flavors. Bone-dry and 10.8% abv, Splinter Gold is highly carbonated.

The primary yeast falls to the bottom of the bottle. Brett forms a pellicle on top of the beer during bottle aging.

Best to give a slow pour as to not rouse the yeast and serve at 55°F in a chalice.

Without further ado, here is my thoughts about the beer.

Splinter Gold – Batch #2

Appearance
This pours out with a gold body. It has a moderate head with a light lacing. Is partially transparent when looking through the glass.

Aroma
At first scent, the wine barrel smell is obviously present. The wild yeast characteristic was the next piece I noticed. Behind the combination of these two first scents is the oak wood from the barrel.

Taste
Splinter Gold comes with a moderate funk from the wild yeast, but combines with a zesty flavor. It is reminiscent of a saison without being too sour. The closest taste I can compare it to is Brux, but I find this much better balanced in comparison.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability
Like the description warned, the mouthfeel is very dry from the wine barrel. The aftertaste is an expected tartness of the wine. The high abv goes easily unnoticed.

Value
The bottle were retail price of ~$25 in the store as well as the tasting room. Rare/limited release aside, I feel it was a moderate price for the quality that come with the price tag.

Overall
This was something unlike any other Tröegs beer I've had before. While a complex-tasting beer like this might not be for everyone, I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys seeking out the unique. I hope they keep the barrels going, and with a larger future release.

Beer Stats
Style: American Wild Ale
Serving: Bottle
Size: 750 mL
ABV: 10.80%
BA Score: 96
RB Score: 99

Last updated by Kenton Martin at May 22, 2013.

Written by Kenton Martin

Kenton is a Southeast PA native who began diversifying his beer tastes alongside many of The Beer Circle writers at Zeno’s beerfests in State College, PA. He continues to live in the area and is an avid follower of the local microbreweries – going so far as to try his hand at brewing himself. Initial results have been very successful. Find Kenton Martin on Google Plus

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Filed under: American Wild Ale, Beer, Tröegs Brewing Co.